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nathanfranson
Reviews
Hidden Strike (2023)
None of the brains, all of the brawn.
80' style plot? Check. Schlocky dialog? Check. Bad CGI? Check. World's greatest martial artist showing he still has it? Check. Pro wrestler-slash-action star whipping up on the bad guys? Check. It was cheesy and campy and I liked it! Expecting a thought provoking thriller? Go see a Christopher Nolan film. Want a Friday night popcorn / check brain at door movie that's just fun to watch? Stop browsing what's new to stream and enjoy this guilty pleasure. Jackie Chan and John Cena have some surprisingly good and funny chemistry. Much better than I expected, but then I didn't have super high expectations. Glad I didn't, because this film delivered.
The Requin (2022)
The cinematic version of a kidney stone
If shark movies are your guilty pleasure like me, I feel it is my obligation to stay away. Remember the device in Princess Bride that sucked hours of your life away? This movie does it without even having to tie you up. The only spoiler I can offer is that you will regret watching it until the end.
Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers (2022)
Chip n Dale are here to rescue us from the mundane!
So much better than I thought it would be! I was skeptical but hopeful going in, watching it with my 11 year old son. I was raving about it after. Haven't had this much fun with a nostalgic film since Ready Player One. Definitely has a Roger Rabbit vibe, fully loaded with cameos and Easter eggs.
The Book of Boba Fett: Chapter 7: In the Name of Honor (2022)
This is the Boba Fett I've been waiting to see
We know so little about his background that many have created their own headcanon. And if anything doesn't harmonize with it, here come the bad reviews. But for me, I love where they've taken his character. Unexpected? Yes. But I'm not looking for predictability. The fight scene with Fett / Mando was terrific. Robert Rodriguez knows this western style genre well, and it shows. So much fun to watch.
Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021)
A worthy sequel done the right way!
I was a teenager when I saw the original about 5 or 6 times in the theater. This made me excited when I saw who was on board. Not many films exceed my expectations when I anticipate them like this, but wow! The nostalgia was the right amount while giving it a new flavor. Great story, great cast, and great special fx. It has been a while since the audience cheered in a few places, once when the original pack showed up and what a perfect tribute to Harold Ramis. Yes he was cgi, but to see his likeness used the way they did could not have been more satisfying. And the tears! This had it all. Easily my favorite film of the year.
Captain Marvel (2019)
Go for the hero, stay for the supporting cast
I can overlook the obvious feminist hype. Overall I liked this film, but realized it was because of the supporting cast more than anything. Finally getting to see Fury and Coulson's backsttory stole the show. Larson would have been much deeper if they had given her character some vulnerability without being weak. Heroes are relatable because they get emotional, yet push through it. It's my opinion they fell just short of what they wanted to accomplish with her.