2024 TV Highlights Thus Far, Pt. 1 | Bite-Sized Reviews

(L-R, 1st row, then 2nd row) SHOGUN (FX / Hulu), RIPLEY (Netflix), FALLOUT (Prime Video), MR. AND MRS. SMITH (Prime Video), and Presumed Innocent (Apple TV+).

You don’t really understand it when you’re a kid, but, boy, it really feels like time flies by as you get older. When you’re stressed or overworked or even just have more important things on your mind, it can be difficult to find the time to do what you want to do before it feels like you’re too late. This is, in part, why I started doing these review compilation posts sometimes containing bite-sized reviews about shows or films that I feel like I still need to talk about, even though I missed out on the moment right after the release. If you read my website frequently, then you know that I’ve recently posted two backlog/catch-up compilations for last year’s TV series. With that out of the way, I now want to focus on some of the shows of the past seven or eight months that I really want to give you my thoughts on. Today, I’ll focus on some of the shows that I think are the very best of the year thus far, including, but not limited to, a video game TV-adaptation and an incredibly stylish reimagining of an iconic Patricia Highsmith story.

Continue reading “2024 TV Highlights Thus Far, Pt. 1 | Bite-Sized Reviews”

Spaceman (2024) | REVIEW

Adam Sandler as a lonely astronaut in Netflix’s SPACEMAN — PHOTO: Netflix.

Directed by Johan Renck — Screenplay by Colby Day.

Based on Jaroslav Kalfař’s 2017 science-fiction novel Spaceman of Bohemia, Johan Renck’s Spaceman follows Jakub Procházka (played by Adam Sandler), a Czech astronaut, while on a solo mission in space to investigate a mysterious particle cloud nearby Jupiter. His mission is in direct competition with that of a South Korean ship, which is also part of a relatively untraditional space race compared to the real world. By his lonesome on the spaceship, Jakub is feeling the effects of solitude and long-term space travel, and he desires contact with his pregnant partner Lenka (played by Carey Mulligan). Lenka has indeed prepared a video for Jakub to see, but, fearing that Jakub’s depression may worsen if it reaches him, the commander of the Czech space agency, Tuma (played by Isabella Rossellini), prevents it from reaching the most lonely human in space. That is because, in the video, Lenka expresses very clearly that she wants to leave Jakub for good. While Jakub gets lonelier and lonelier as he gradually gets closer to the mysterious particle cloud, he is approached by a massive spider-like alien creature, which has made its way into the spacecraft somehow. The alien arachnid, which is often referred to as Hanuš (voiced by Paul Dano), insists that it doesn’t want to harm this ‘skinny human.’ Rather, it wants to investigate our species and help Jakub with his troubled headspace. 

Continue reading “Spaceman (2024) | REVIEW”

10th I’m Jeffrey Rex Awards – 2022 – TV & Misc. Awards

With my best television shows of 2022-list having now been released, it’s time to stop delaying these awards posts. Just like the last few years, I’m splitting up my awards into two parts. This post — the first part — celebrates the best in television, superhero storytelling, gaming, and in music. The film awards will be revealed in an upcoming post, but, for now, we’ve got a lot of great stuff to get to. So, let’s do that!

Continue reading “10th I’m Jeffrey Rex Awards – 2022 – TV & Misc. Awards”

REVIEW: The Batman (2022)

The Batman (played by Robert Pattinson, left) and Selina Kyle (played by Zoë Kravitz, right) get up close and personal in THE BATMAN — Photo: DC Comics / Warner Bros.

Directed by Matt Reeves (War for the Planet of the Apes) — Screenplay by Matt Reeves & Peter Craig.

I was elated when Robert Pattinson was announced to play Batman. Pattinson’s work in independent films had impressed me so much, and I thought he was a pretty obvious choice for the role. However, as many people know, Batman movies always lead to premature casting criticism (people were critical of Heath Ledger, Michael Keaton, and Ben Affleck long before they had even seen them in their respective films). I remember receiving rude comments about my excitement for Pattinson as Bruce Wayne. After having finally seen the film, I can honestly say that I feel vindicated. Pattinson is great and Reeves has once again made an outstanding blockbuster film in a vastly popular (and, to some, tired) franchise.

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REVIEW: The Guilty (2021)

Jake Gyllenhaal as Joe Baylor in Antoine Fuqua’s American version of THE GUILTY — Photo: Netflix.

Directed by Antoine Fuqua — Screenplay by Nic Pizzolatto.

Antoine Fuqua’s The Guilty, written by True Detective-creator Nic Pizzolatto, is an American remake of the 2018 Danish single-location thriller Den Skyldige, which was then directed by Gustav Möller. The film follows Joe Baylor (played by Jake Gyllenhaal), who is an agitated LAPD officer with a troubled past, while he is at a 911 call center. Though he is initially largely uninterested at the call center, he suddenly ‘wakes up’ when a distressed woman calls him and says she is being abducted by her ex-husband. From his computer and telephone, Joe must now try to figure out what is happening and try to get law enforcement to her position before it is too late.

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REVIEW: Okja (2017)

Release Poster – Netflix

The following is a review of Okja – Directed by Bong Joon-ho.

In October 2015, the first Netflix ‘original’ movie was released. Cary Joji Fukunaga’s Beasts of No Nation was a great film for Netflix to champion as an example of how great their films can be. However, while Fukunaga’s film was recognized by the Screen Actors Guild, BAFTA, and the Hollywood Foreign Press, the Academy Awards completely ignored what was one of the best films of the year.

Then, at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival, Netflix’s newest original movie – Bong Joon-ho’s Okja – was met with boos as the festival elite rebelled against the Netflix way of distributing films. Nevertheless, the film itself overcame the harsh and unfair critique that its distributor was getting, and it is easy to see how and why, because Bong Joon-ho’s Okja is the best non-documentary Netflix original film yet. Continue reading “REVIEW: Okja (2017)”

My 17 Most Anticipated Films of 2017

2017-anticipated

2016 is almost over, and I really can’t believe it. It feels like the summer movie season just ended, but here we are at the end of the year. That also means that we need to start looking forward to some of the films that are released next year. I, obviously, don’t know if any or all of these will be good, or even great, but with this list I’m trying to point out which films I’m super excited for. Continue reading “My 17 Most Anticipated Films of 2017”

REVIEW: Swiss Army Man (2016)

Theatrical Release Poster - A24
Theatrical Release Poster – A24

The following is a quick review of Swiss Army Man – Directed by Dan Kwan & Daniel Scheinert.

Swiss Army Man follows Hank (played by Paul Dano), a man marooned on a small island, who has lost the will to live. At the start of the film, we find him as he is about to hang himself. But, out of the blue, he sees that a corpse has washed up on the beach. As he tries to resuscitate the body, he notices that the corpse is farting. Soon, he uses the farting corpse (played by Daniel Radcliffe) as a jet ski.
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Golden Globe Awards: Predictions – Motion Picture Thoughts #3

MOTION PICTURE THOUGHTS

On the 10th of January 2016 Ricky Gervais hosts the 73rd Golden Globe Awards. In this Motion Picture Thoughts post I predict the winners in the film categories. Carol may have the most nominations, but I definitely think this is Spotlight‘s year. Keep in mind that these aren’t necessarily the films I want to see win, these are just who I think will.  Continue reading “Golden Globe Awards: Predictions – Motion Picture Thoughts #3”

REVIEW: 12 Years A Slave (2013)

Fox Searchlight Pictures theatrical poster for 12 Years A Slave.

The following is a spoiler review for 12 Years A Slave.

At the 86th Academy Awards in early 2014, 12 Years A Slave was nominated for 9 awards, and only American Hustle & Gravity were nominated for more (both 10). In a less stellar year for movies — and with a little bit of luck on their side — Ejiofor and Fassbender might have left the night with Academy Awards, but, in the end, the film only received 3 Oscars. But it did receive the most important award of them all – Best Picture. And the film deserves the honor. Continue reading “REVIEW: 12 Years A Slave (2013)”