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MermaidMandy01
Reviews
Rusalka: Ozero myortvykh (2018)
I wanted to like it more BUT...
I'm left with too many plot questions. I wanted to like it because it's unique, the acting is good, cinematography, graphics, etc. It's almost like an horror fairytale from Grimm. But even though the plot is literally mentioned play by play in the opening sequence and the ending is to be expected, it still left me feeling a bit disappointed. The ending tries to wrap up the plot with what I'm sure they thought would be a clever twist or hint at something more sinister, but it's done in such an obvious way that it's not even a surprise. After everything that happens to the characters and throughout the story you're just left feeling like you sat through all of it for nothing. The best way to describe it is like a lesser version of Krampus, but with a Siren. On a positive note, the English dubs didn't bother me as much as I thought they would.
The Reef (2010)
Not great, but not terrible. Just meh.
I don't understand the high ratings for this movie, as it's not really a "horror"movie. I would categorize it more so in the thriller or suspense category as the only emotion induced by watching it is some anxiety as you wait to see if or when someone might get attacked by one rogue shark. The movie is so loosely based on a true story, they should have just not said it was. Or maybe they could have tried to be different and used a tiger shark instead of using a great white, which has been done over and over and over again. Great whites have had a bad rep since Jaws came out. Why not use a different type of shark if you're going to use the same old story line? I also don't understand how a yacht can have no life raft on it or flare gun or something. The main dude is supposedly delivering the yacht, but he's allowed to have all these guests tag along and nobody mentions how they'll get back home after. There's also a lot of splashing and bad decision making by the group of people, which makes it hard to route for them and their survival. And the ending will just leave you saying WTF? First off, if a shark just ate one human, how can it possibly be hungry for another human? It's one thing to be hungry the next day, but literally within a half hour this thing is ready to go again. And so much for "love," because our lone survivor doesn't even try to save the guy she supposedly is in love with. Also, I wouldn't have called that an island. It was just a rock. By the end of the movie I was also getting fed up with the main guy always checking under the water with his goggles. I get what the director was trying to do, but constantly checking under the water and doing nothing to defend yourself from the shark or even changing course is just pointless. How come he didn't think to grab a knife or something when he was collecting random stuff from the sinking yacht? These characters cared more about their floating kick boards than actual survival gear. I don't even know how the one chick hurt her foot or what the point of that was. Overall, I'd say it's an okay movie to have on while you're doing stuff, but don't expect too much from it. And do not waste time watching the horrible sequel. At least this one didn't have bad CGI.
The Reef: Stalked (2022)
Intelligent shark hunts idiot human kayakers
There are so many things bad about this movie (and not in a good B movie sort of way) and it was overall just disappointing, boring/slow paced, and a waste of time. The writing is the worst part. It's unrealistic how stupid the human characters behave, but also the actions of the supposed shark stalking them are super unnaturally as well. It's movies like this with unrealistic portrayals of sharks that give them such a bad reputation, especially great whites.
For the first 20 or so minutes you're introduced to the small cast of female leads. You probably don't even see the shark until after the 30 minute mark. But even with all the drama and time spent on a subpar backstory, you still don't really care if anything happens to this group of friends. The main character is also supposedly suffering from some kind of PTSD for an event that she wasn't even present for. The shark is apparently always hungry no matter how many humans it eats (or doesn't). In fact, the shark is either shown as just a fin above the water, a poor cgi rendering, or footage of a great white that came directly off the Discovery Channel.
The movie tries really hard to showcase underwater shots as well as drone footage high up above, which is pretty for the cinematography. But even the surprisingly decent music isn't enough to save the drawn out plot and poor writing. With the amount of idiotic decisions these kayakers make, it's a wonder any of them are able to survive at all.
You'll be routing for the shark the entire movie and disappointed by an ending that makes absolutely no sense, as there appears to be some kind of time jump that leaves many questions unanswered and does nothing to tie up any of the plot holes. If you're wondering, "Do they ever make it to their destination?"which is supposed to be some kind of amazing destination it takes three days to paddle to, the answer it "who knows?" Don't hold your breath because it's never even mentioned where the survivors end up or how they got there or what the time frame is supposed to be. Instead of including any scenes to wrap up the disaster of a plot, after the "climactic battle," the movie basically just ends and you're left staring dumbfounded at the screen, wondering if you accidentally hit the fast forward button. You didn't. They just either got too lazy to wrap up the film or they ran out of money and said, "Welp, let's just stop it here." I'm telling you, don't waste your time on this one. It's not even so bad it's funny. It's honestly just bad.
Cinderella (2021)
I don't understand all the hate
It wasn't a 10 by any means, but does not deserve a 4 either. The singing was very good, some songs probably could've been cut or shortened. I would have liked to have seen the stepsisters develop more character-wise. The one daughter was interested in the farm boy and the other liked Thomas, but then we get nothing. There were some funny moments and the dresses were really great. I think the two leads were the best part. The scene at the ball was probably the best scene. But it doesn't make sense because if Robert was the only one who could recognize her, then the Queen that liked her dresses would not have known who she was the next day. I was disappointed that Robert just gave up the crown when he had a chance to change everything using his privilege. Instead the easy way out was to just hand it over to the sister. The movie overall tries very hard to be progressive, which is too much going in too many directions. I also wanted to see Ella actually get her shop in the end. Overall, it was better than I thought. But if it wasn't for how hot Robert is, I probably wouldn't watch it again.
Prom Pact (2023)
Very cute
The closest thing I've seen to a John Hughes movie, without it being a John Hughes movie. I was hoping for more of a Pretty in Pink ending, so I can only do a 9/10. It just made me too nostalgic for an actual John Hughes film. Overall it's a cute movie about friendship and covers the stereotypes of classic high school cliche movies. It just was missing something or needed a bit more. I can't put my finger on it. It needed a big moment or elaborate gesture or something. I also am unsure of how well our main protagonist actually follows her own beliefs about single use plastics and being a vegan, etc. You can be a feminist without being all those things, but if you are going to have a character like that it should be consistent. While watching it I almost forgot it was a Disney movie, but maybe it could have been better if it wasn't so family friendly. Just some thoughts. Give it a chance for sure!
Valley Girl (2020)
Not sure why all the bad reviews
I almost gave this movie a 10, but the whole mother telling her daughter the story I just found to be unnecessary. I would rather live in the stereotypical 80s musical bubble than have to see an uncredited Alicia Silverstone looking tired and talking about the real world. For the majority of the movie I found myself smiling because I like the outrageous 80s costumes and singing and dancing and the two leads were both really attractive and adorable together. A lot of people are complaining about Logan Paul but he's really not in that much, so I don't really care. Also, I wouldn't really consider this a remake of the original. There's a few scenes and dialogue that are similar, but I just see them as two completely different movies. If anything it's more akin to Rock of Ages, but with pop songs. If I could just cut out the parts with the mom and daughter story telling, I think this could have been a 10, just for being fun and cute and I really like the character development of Julie.
Breaking & Exiting (2018)
Unique, might watch again
I read a negative review for this movie before seeing it that said something about Harry being a bad person and letting his fish die etc. I still wanted to see it for myself though. First off, his fish is still alive at the end of the movie. Second, Harry isn't a bad person. He's a typical 30 yr old dude who robs houses for a living, likes alcohol, and smoking pot. I don't think he knew he was a good person or has the potential to be better, but the signs were there. For example, one house they robbed he put money in a little girl's piggy bank. That was before he ended up saving Daisy twice. Let me just add you don't even know Daisy's name until midway which is unfortunate because she's a character you want to empathize with and know more about. Milo Gibson looks sooo much like his dad, it's crazy. I would also add that I don't consider this a romantic comedy. It's more of a dark humor or even a drama where two people with their own issues just happen to form a bond. I wish the movie would've ended with the family event at Grandma's that was mentioned two times previous and that it would've been explained what kind of job Daisy does for a living. On the other hand the music was good, and the storyline was different. It's only about an hour long movie so it's really short. I would've liked to see more or learned more about the main characters.
Fallen (2016)
Deserves its sequels.
I love the casting. I love the chemistry between the characters. There were a couple plot holes unless you've read the books and know what's going on, but just as things are getting good, the movie ends and leaves you hanging. I want to see these characters finish their stories. I want to see the past lives and more of Daniel and Luce's story. It sucks that there won't be a sequel. Someone should do a kickstarter. I also love the way the angel wings look. That's my favorite part. If there won't be more movies, maybe do a tv show or something.
The Hottie & the Nottie (2008)
Kind of a cute movie
I'm surprised it has so many people who voted it at a 1. I've seen way worse movies. I thought it was okay. It wasn't horrible, it wasn't something I'm going to put in my top five, but it's a predictable romantic comedy which is fine to throw on every once in awhile. Paris Hilton just plays herself which is fine, but everyone else's acting is actually pretty decent. It has a really cute ending. AND I'm just glad there wasn't a cliche makeover moment, that it was spread out throughout the movie.