Media Review

What is my rating system?

I have a couple reviews in Letterboxd. While I was thinking about how I would rank them, I felt it writing it down would help me.

I finished this but I regret it.
★★
I’m glad someone was given a chance to make this. Hopefully the next thing is better. Still, I would be hesitant to try anything that boasted about being “The people who brought you X”.
★★★
It’s alright. I liked it enough. I would watch it again if it was on and enough peer pressure was applied.
★★★★
I definitely would watch again. I would recommend it to others. In fact, when I’m feeling overwhelmed with all the possibilities, this might be something I put on instead of something new.
★★★★★
Loved it!

Strangely enough, I don’t write a lot about the things I love on the internet. I feel it might be because it _is_the internet. Years of seeing things being ridiculed makes me hesitant to express a strong feeling about something.

I feel that I’m ready to do that more and more now.

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Media Review: Gen V (Episode 1-4)

Poster for Gen V tv show

I’ve been anticipating the Gen V series for months. I really enjoy things that are created in the TV universe of “The Boys” and its take on the superhero genre. It pleases both the part of me that enjoyed the over the top violence of 80s and 90s action movies with the part of me that wants a little more depth to the characters in a show.

The season really starts off with a bang that I was afraid would cause my wife to stop watching. But it’s important. Important to the characters involved and important to the viewer to be reminded that things like this happens more often than anyone admits in The Boys universe.

A lot of things happen.

If anything, it might be considered a negative that so many things happen. Gen V premiered with three (3) episodes on the first night. This season has 8 episodes total and after watching the fourth, I’m afraid to say goodbye to these characters that I’m just getting to know.

The important thing is that I want to know these people. At first glance, they do come off as 20 something archetypes that you would see in a show like Dawson’s Creek or Pretty Little Liars. Full disclosure, I don’t typically watch those shows, but the issues of eating disorders, personal identity, and more are prominent in the show. I applaud the show for bringing these up and understand that they can’t go into too much depth with them as we move along with the plot.

And what about the plot? It’s pretty good. We’re halfway through the season as I write this and I’m going to be sad that it’s going to end.

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Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, 2023 - ★★★★★

I loved it!
I think the actors did a phenomenal job at bringing the characters to life. You can see the motivation of what they are doing and everything makes sense. 
I get a sense that the people who made this were true fans of the genre and that this was a labor of love. 
I don’t know if it did well in theaters but I know that I would love to see a sequel.

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Barbie, 2023 - ★★★

My family saw this before me and would constantly sing about being Ken. I would try to avoid spoilers by leaving the room when they would watch videos on YouTube. 

Anyway, we’re sick at home and bought the movie on Amazon. 

I did enjoy it but I don’t feel that I would watch it again. It’s got a good message and I know I missed tons of references and jokes.

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Good Luck to You, Leo Grande, 2022 - ★★★

I didn’t think I was going to enjoy this movie as much as I did. I remember a friend telling me that I should watch more movies written and directed by women and this is a great example of why. 

I really enjoyed the discussion about sex without it being “sexy”. It’s different for all of us and I hope that you have an open mind if you choose to watch this. 

Way to go Emma Thompson!

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They Cloned Tyrone, 2023 - ★★★★

Movie poster of They Cloned Tyrone.

I’ve been looking forward to this movie for a while. I feel that John Boyega was wasted in the Star Wars sequels and this shows a little more of what he can do. 

This film has a lot going for it and highly recommend it!

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Werewolves Within, 2021 - ★★★½

Movie poster of Werewolves Within

It’s just what you are expecting and executed wonderfully. I had spoiled the ending but just watching the plot unfold was really satisfying. 

Lots of actors that I’ve seen around in other media.

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Flamin' Hot, 2023 - ★★★

Movie poster for Flamin' hot

If you are looking for a film that will make you happy and hopeful, then this is it. A true underdog story that highlights the human spirit. It doesn’t get very dark into what could have happened. 

I really enjoyed this film and it was great to see people and relationships become a success.

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The Little Mermaid, 2023 - ★★★

Movie poster of The Little Mermaid.

People on the internet are mean. This is a decent adaptation of the children’s tale about the little mermaid. 

I thought it was pretty decent fairly true to what I remember from watching it repeatedly with my oldest daughter. 

Sure, they make some changes such as removing the “Les Poissons” segment, but I don’t think anyone really wants to see the live action version of fish getting cut up. A little too real for some.

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Three Thousand Years of Longing, 2022 - ★★★

Movie poster for Three Thousand Years of Longing with Idris Alba and Tilda Swidon.

I remember watching a short tv series based off of the Arabian nights tales. In it, a woman would tell a story to a sultan every night to keep him entertained or she would be killed. 

This is not as morbid, but the structure of having someone tell their story and having it played out by different actors is great to see. 

I especially liked the cinematography at the beginning of the film as they move from one angle to the next. It somewhat sets you off balance as you move into the main portion of the story. I just wished it tied into the main plot of the story more. 

Another aspect I enjoyed about the film is the way that it treats nudity. It’s in there, trust me you’ll see it. But it’s there as a backdrop and sometimes even as a plot point. 

Certain parts of the movie are in Ottoman Turkish without subtitles but I like to think of it as a nod how something’s are universal. The main characters do a great job of explaining whatever nuisance I missed. 

All in all, I am happy I saw it and think of it as kind of a breather from the other media I consume.

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