A Review of 2018's Music

Really enjoyed reviewing last year's music and making this episode. Please give it a listen and let me know if I should make more episodes like this one.

"Where To Invade Next" Review

Michael Moore's latest documentary, "Where To Invade Next," is a humorous, touching, and illuminating look at policies that have worked in other parts of the world. It's also a very positive documentary compared to Moore's previous works. It's a film anyone can watch and take something from regardless of political affiliation.
Many topics are discussed in the documentary. Moore visits Italy to look deeper into paid time off, and how this effects productivity, happiness and stress. While he is there, paternal and maternal leave is discussed. France is Moore's second destination, and there he sees how kids are fed at school. We learn that having better "food culture" not only changes how nutritious our foods are, but we also gain skills from learning etiquette. While in France, Moore asks about their sexual education curriculum. That transitions to Finland's top education system, and their immensely different view on education. And when talking about education, it's difficult not to talk about how expensive higher education is in America. That's when Moore takes us to Slovenia, and we are exposed to their debt free college student. Even at that point, we are not even half way done with the documentary. A handful of other countries are visited and with each new country we gain greater insight. I thoroughly enjoyed this documentary.

"Captain America: Civil War" Review

I'm not a big fan of superhero movies. It was fun once or twice, but they've been coming out year after year for so long. First we had to deal with each individual Marvel franchise so that they could coalesce into one giant Avengers thread. Now DC is trying to build a similar pillar. And let us not forget about Fox's X-Men movies. I like that the DC team is taking their universe down a darker path, but overall it's no contest when comparing what DC is doing and what Marvel is doing. Marvel's vision is so much tighter, and it shines through in Captain America: Civil War.

If you've seen Iron Man, Iron Man 2, Iron Man 3, Thor, Thor: The Dark World, Avengers, Avengers: Age Of Ultron, Ant Man, Captain America: The First Avenger, and/or Captain America: The Winter Solider (Whew!), you know what you're getting into. Marvel didn't break away from what is working. Prepare yourself for a CG happy, explosion friendly, slap-stick humor fused film that does well in setting up the next movie. Speaking of setting up the next film, like with any Marvel movie, stay until the very end. Like the very, very end. I think fans will be very pleased with the teaser.

The film did have some interesting ethical questions it juggled. The film brings up the age old debate of utilitarianism vs. deontology. Is it okay that a few people get hurt along the way if the greater good is protected? Or must the means be as just as the ends? It really sets up great friction between Captain America's team and Iron Man's team (thus, "Civil War"), even if the framing is hardly fair within the movie. The movie has Captain America's name in it, so clearly the audience is nudged in that direction. However, it does set up a neat dichotomy for the audience.

The World Wide Web lost their collective cool when it was revealed that Spider Man would make his debut in this Marvel/Disney universe. I thought the teasers did a great job not showing too much. I think fans will be very pleased with Spider Man's presence in this film. If a grumpy film viewer like me could enjoy it, you can too. I'm a fan of Paul Rudd, so I wish they would've included Ant Man a bit more in the film. Regardless, I enjoyed the film and I expect it to do very well.

"Ex Machina" Review

Ex Machina is a damn good movie! I'm sorry we've been distracted by other shiny objects disguised as movies while this gem goes relatively unnoticed. This is one of the best films I've seen in a long time and a film that threatens to enter my all time favorites list. What an embarrassment that it took me so long to watch it. I almost saw it in theaters on multiple occasions, but by democratic decision my friends chose other movies before Ex Machina. We truly missed out.

I should've looked into the film a bit more because then I would've assumed I'd like the movie. Alex Garland wrote 28 Days Later and Sunshine which are 2 movies I can watch anytime on any day. This was his directorial debut and I think he knocked it out of the park. The movie handles philosophical questions about evolution, humanity, The Singularity, and so on. Not only is the movie dense, but it is such a beautiful movie. It's what I wanted my movies to "feel" like. Gritty, yet elegant. Dense, yet simple. Uncomfortable, yet desirable.

The 3 main actors are names we should all get to know too. Their star power continues to rise and I think we'll be seeing much more of them in the future. If we didn't know Alicia Vikander was an actual person, we might've thought she were an actual robot. It doesn't seem fair that Sweden has all sorts great policies on top of producing beautiful and talented women like Alicia Vikander. I think out of all the places I Periscoped, Sweden had the highest concentration of intelligent and beautiful women.

You'll notice that the movie was given an R rating and one of the reasons is for "graphic nudity". I don't think I will ever understand what that could mean. We all have bodies, and when we don't follow the social convention of being clothed, we are nude. There is nothing graphic about it. I have body image issues, and even I know this is stupid. Please go watch this film.

Underoath Re-Birth Tour Review

On April 6th, 2016 I got to watch UNDEROATH perform live at the Skyway Theater in Minneapolis. It was the first time I've seen them perform live since 2011 (HERE IS MY REVIEW OF THAT SHOW). I don't have an accurate number, but I once backtracked and realized I have seen Underoath perform at least 13 times. One would think this "fourteenth" time wouldn't be so exciting as I've seen the band so many times, but that couldn't be further from the truth. The band called it quits 2013 and I thought I would never see the band ever again.

Just got home from checking out @UnderoathBand. My body is cramping, and my back hurts. This never happened when I was younger. This might be the best workout I've had in 2016. This my 14th+ time seeing Underoath and it never gets old. Can we do it again next week??

A video posted by Min Lee (@minlee2) on Apr 6, 2016 at 10:25pm PDT

The show was everything I hoped it would be. Underoath was clearly back because they wanted to be, and you could sense that in their performance. They played what is arguably their 2 most popular albums from front to back. I consider their 2006 album, "Define The Great Line" the gold standard for anything "screamo". I hesitate using label "screamo" because I don't want people to think the album is full of angsty screaming. An honest listening of "Define The Great Line" will show any listener that it is a beautifully conflicted album. It is gracefully melodic, while being brutally heavy. It was painfully dark, while being pleasantly uplifting.



I can't say it was my favorite Underoath show, but that's only because my favorite Underoath show is in a league of its own. I'm not very spiritual, but I had an out-of-body experience at one of their shows without any mind altering substances at play. I think I was just overwhelmed by the power of their music. I doubt I will ever have an experience like that again, so although their latest show doesn't compare to that one very special performance, it was still very good an memorable. I also met a couple of other long time Underoath fans, and people who recognized me from my radio job. Super fan, Brandon Doll, also wanted to share a few words about Underoath.

I met some really cool dudes in the circle pit at @UnderoathBand. True fans of the band and true circle pit gentlemen. Circle pit etiquette is often lost, and that's disappointing to me because it's a space I really love.

A photo posted by Min Lee (@minlee2) on Apr 8, 2016 at 1:33pm PDT

Here is Brandon's review:

To say that I was excited to see Underoath at the Skyway Theater is the understatement of the century. I purchased my ticket last fall the second that the tour was confirmed. Underoath has not performed in Minnesota since 2011 and obviously the band has gone through a lot since that time. All this did was create an insurmountable amount of hype for a show that was unthinkable as little as a year ago. At that point I don’t think anyone would have ever dreamed that this band would play together again.

             
            Which brings us to Wednesday night. After a somewhat lengthy stage setup following opening act Caspian, the lights went dark and it was show time. The band members took the stage and immediately ripped into “Young and Aspiring” which sent the crowd into a chaotic frenzy. During the “They’re Only Chasing Safety” portion of the show the crowd was at its most energetic during the singles off of the album, “A Boy Brushed Red Living in Black and White”, “Reinventing Your Exit”, and “It’s Dangerous Business Walking out Your Front Door”. My personal favorite moment from this segment of the show was when Underoath played “Down, Set, Go”, which also happens to be my favorite song off of the album. During the set lead vocalist Spencer Chamberlain stated that it was a song they had never played live before they kicked off the Rebirth Tour. I find that to be incredible because it is the best song off of a phenomenal album in my humble opinion. The only criticism that I can come up with from the entire night occurred during the albums closing track, “Some Will Seek Forgiveness, Others Escape”. The song was played to perfection but for some reason the track was cut short right before the epic breakdown that closes out the album. However, I was able to overlook this small miscue knowing that the best was yet to come: “Define the Great Line”.

                The band only took about a 5 minute break and immediately rushed back out to kick off the Define segment with a raucous rendition of “In Regards to Myself”. This is when the band hit their stride. Everyone appeared to be in vintage form. The incredibly talented Aaron Gillespie who has quite possibly the most difficult task in music of simultaneously drumming and singing, looked like he had never even left Underoath. The crowd and most of all the pit was noticeably more active for the Define songs. Define is much heavier, more polished, and has many more breakdowns, which allows for more “moshable” moments. Underoath kept up the frenetic pace of heavy fast paced metal until they reached the interlude track “Salmarnir” which finally allowed the crowd to catch its collective breath. This is when my favorite moment of the show took place. At the end of this track Min, Myself, and a few of my other pit mates organized a “wall of death” in preparation for possibly the heaviest track off of Define, “Returning Empty Handed”. The track began with a Gillespie drumroll and is kicked off with a ridiculous Chamberlain guttural growl, at which point the bodies were flying everywhere. Another high point was reached during Grammy nominated lead single “Writing on the Walls” which is always a crowd favorite.

                I cannot say enough positive things about this performance. It was one of the greatest concerts I have ever had the pleasure of attending. Obviously anytime one of your favorite bands plays two full albums you are going to be in store for a fantastic night, but I was equally as impressed by the passion displayed by the crowd of all ages. I was shocked at the number of kids in attendance to see a band that first hit the scene when many of them were possibly still in diapers.

As for Underoath, uncertainty still lies ahead. At the completion of this Rebirth tour the band members still have their separate careers so a new album appears unlikely, but they did tease the crowd with what sounded like a new exitlude track tacked onto the conclusion of “To Whom it May Concern”. Even though it appears unlikely, I think we can all agree that a new album or song would not be out of the realm of possibility. I hope it happens.

"Batman vs. Superman" Review

I went into Batman vs. Superman with low expectations, and although I am attempting to compensate for setting the bar so low, it might still have something to do with why I give the film an above average mark. It also could be that I have been on a streak of average or slightly below average movies (Deadpool, 10 Cloverfield Lane, etc). It goes without saying, cause what sort of jerk catches a pre-screening and ruins the movie for everyone, but there will be no spoilers here. There is a Star Wars like turn in the movie, and I will do my best to distance myself from any clues.

If you've talked to me about Batman vs. Superman over the last month you know that I am not pleased with how they have been promoting this movie. It feels like I've been watching trailers for this movie for years, and then after the makers of the movie exposed their entire hand, they had nothing to show leading up to the actual release date. This Batman vs. Superman team should look to Marvel and take notes. The way Marvel slowly gave us bits of Civil War and then dropped Spiderman on us recently was perfect. Now they only need to give us one more reminder that Spiderman is in the film 2 weeks before the actual release date and excitement will be a fever pitch. I've been complaining for the last month that I've already seen the entire Batman vs. Superman film due to the trailers, and I wasn't entirely wrong. We should not have seen Doomsday and Wonder Woman before entering the movie.



From the trailers, I thought I was going to hate Jesse Eisenberg's performance. I don't know much about the character of Lex Luthor, but I did not despise Eisenberg's portrayal of Luthor. It still did feel a bit rigid and forced at times, but it worked for the most part. Where I was unsure of Eisenberg, many were against Ben Affleck as Batman. I think most fans are having a difficult time detaching themselves from the Christian Bale Batman. I, however, was not a doubter of Affleck. He's coming off a string of successful movies, and I felt like he was at the top of his game again. We have to forgive him for Daredevil and Gigli at some point. Plus, I will always have a soft spot for Affleck because of Good Will Hunting.

This is the most Zack Snyder film since 2009's Watchmen. I've never doubted Snyder's artistic ability, but his stories aren't always air-tight and can drag. Batman vs. Superman suffers from exactly this. My film theory is a bit rusty, but If my memory serves me right, I remember really embracing Dziga Vertov's "Kino Eye Theory". It's the theory that cinema can see and express more than the human eye can capture. This is why I'm generally not a fan of the recent James Bond films because you can't see a damn thing. The cuts are too quick and the camera is too shaky. However, facets of Kino Eye is what Snyder does great in a lot of his films, and Batman vs. Superman pulls this off to a certain extent. With the musical help of Hans Zimmer and Junkie XL, Snyder's ability to use slow motion and close-ups doesn't slow down the film, but rather makes the movie swell with detail and anticipation.

While I think fans of the superhero genre will enjoy the film, and serious movie watchers won't be totally disappointed, the movie does have its shortcomings. It has spans of exposition and I-don't-care moments, so it's hard to justify the 152 minute runtime. I guess we have to factor in that they were burdened with the duty of setting up the Justice League movie. DC is clearly playing catch up to Marvel's well established franchises and Avengers movies. Not only that, but if you were following the production of this film, you know they ran into snags and that their budget was quickly swelling and on pace to become to most expensive movie ever (suck on that, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides).  On top of that, although I give Snyder credit for long shots and actually allowing us to see all the action, a lot of the choreography is slow and clumsy. There were also moments I felt like this movie was made for children. The action, especially with Superman, gets so ridiculous at times I thought I was watching Japanese anime. There is a reason I enjoyed Dragon Ball Z in the 7th grade, but could never re-visit it as an adult. It's a strange dichotomy considering Snyder is taking this franchise down a darker path than what Marvel is doing. If rumors are true, and I hope they are, we will get a rated R version when the Blu-Ray comes out. You could tell Snyder really wanted some CG blood and a sex scene, but you can't have a rated R movie pushing 410 million dollars in budget.

So did I love the movie? No. But did I enjoy it enough? Yes. It's a silly movie, but there are still some cool things being discussed, like ethics and Lex Luthor discussing the logic of god. I do think nerds will like it, and the set up for Justice League even got me excited. The movie also made me want to check out Wonder Woman. With all this in mind, I think I enjoyed (this superhero's) monologue at the end the most. Mostly because of the tragic events that happened in Brussels yesterday. You'll see what I mean when you go watch the movie.

Oh! And don't wait around like Marvel movies. There is no teaser after the credits. At least there wasn't one at my special pre-screening.

"10 Cloverfield Lane" Review

10 Cloverfield Lane will leave you feeling - Meh.
It's not a horrible movie if you're searching for a sci-fi movie and you've already watched the top tier titles on your To-Watch list. I'm not even sure if we should consider this a sci-fi movie at all. If you loved the first Cloverfield movie and you are going into this one with the hopes that it'll be something similar minus the shaky camera work, you better change your mind set.
With names like JJ Abrams, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, and John Gallagher Jr. attached I really wanted to like this movie. I loved John Gallagher Jr. in Short Term 12 and The Newsroom. Many people already know I adore Mary Elizabeth Winstead because of her beauty and because movies like Smashed (film) and Alex of Venice. I wanted people to see Winstead's and Gallagher's names attached to future movies and feel like they have to see that movie. Even with my bias, the movie fell flat. It was actually John Goodman's performance that helped bolster the movie for me.
I think the movie will ultimately be classified as a sci-fi flick, but it might be more accurate to call it a thriller. I can't say too much without ruining the modest twists and turns, but the most engaging element of this movie was John Goodman's character, Howard. The movie forces you into a love-hate dynamic with Howard, and although the movie ties all the loose ends for you, you and your friends will be able to have a short ethics discussion about Howard. I will give the movie credit for its jump scares. There were two or three times I had to make sure I still had clean underwear. Oh, and did I mention how beautiful Mary Elizabeth Winstead is?

"Spotlight" Review

With this, I have seen 6 out of the 8 films nominated for picture of the year. This will probably be the last movie I get to watch before the big night on Sunday. Prior to this viewing, I had The Martian and Room tied, and I tipped towards Room because Room had a budget of 6 million dollars whereas The Martian had 108 million dollars to spend. Spotlight has now bumped The Martian out of the picture, and I am having trouble choosing between Room and Spotlight. If I were to remain consistent and give the tie to the movie with the smaller budget, then Room still wins (Spotlight had a budget of 20 million dollars). However, it is not that easy in this case. Room is the more emotionally charged movie, but Spotlight is the more important one. My biggest critique of "popular art" (Better worded as "popular entertainment") these days is that it's void of "substance". I use "substance" to bundle elements such as emotion, artistic integrity, and social contribution into a simple and convenient package. Scan the bland summer blockbuster movies or listen to any mainstream song, and I think you'll see what I mean. And because I score art by measuring how much emotion and social importance is packed into a piece, the decision between Room and Spotlight is not easy to me.
I have a group of friends that I discuss politics, religion, and social issues with. We've been discussing morality a lot lately, and the more I try to define that word, the more I realize the world lacks morality. Perhaps I am being too pessimistic, but I can tell you this movie didn't help. Yes, the protagonists navigate through an arena of darkness and bring light into the picture, but I see how outnumbered they are and that's what breaks my heart. Wide spread and prevalent negligence and malevolence on an institutional, societal, and personal level with no one willing to step up except the team at The Boston Globe and Spotlight. I've had stronger chills run through my body due to a movie, but I don't remember the last movie to send this many chills through my body.
From a production standpoint, this movie receives many high marks. The writing, the acting, the use of sound, and photography. The film like look pulls you back into the years these events actually occurred, the lighting looked more natural making the movie feel less produced, and the use of long lenses forces a feeling of caution. Spotlight has a lot of tough competition, but I'll be disappointed if the movie doesn't go home with at least one award.

"Room" Film Review

Thank you to the team that made Room. We are in your debt. What a layered, deep, and fantastic movie. I am now up to 5 out of the 8 films nominated for best picture this year at the Oscars. Room is currently tied with The Martian for this year's award, but like I did when it came down the The Wolf of Wall Street and Dallas Buyers Club, I gave the edge to the film with a smaller budget.
Brie Larson is quickly becoming my favorite actress. If you haven't seen Short Term 12, it may be on Netflix still so get on that. Larson and Mary Elizabeth Winstead are my favorites because they are intelligent and they seem more selective about their roles. I will be cheering for Larson for best actress. I only wish Jacob Tremblay was also nominated for something because he was great.

(Insight on how Larson picks her roles)


Room is a film that no review can encapsulate, and that's what makes it so amazing. I think each individual will get something unique from the film. Mothers will be drawn to the mother-child relationship in the movie. You will see that guidance, inspiration, and love can and should flow from mother to child, but that the stream can be reversed. A great reminder to listen to your children, because you never know what they might teach you. Many people will find the concepts of innocence and youth appealing. There are many powerful forces in this world, but the innocence of youth has to be included in the top tier. Despite dire circumstances, Jack Newsome found joy in simplicity reminding us that perception plays a large role in everything we do. Jack's youthfulness and innate curiosity also allows him to recover from traumatizing events and assimilate into a foreign world much quicker, whereas Joy Newsome has difficulty sliding back into her old life.
Watch the movie as soon as possible, but also be ready to cry and to juggle a lot of thoughts. You'll think about your family, bravery, exploration, kindness, the corporate media, the fragility and toughness of the human psyche, and so many other elements. This is cinema.

"The Martian" Review

Now that I have seen The Martian, I have seen 4 out of 8 movies up for best picture at the Oscars. I will be watching "Room" soon, but as it stands, I have The Martian winning with The Big Short following (Sorry Mad Max & The Revenant).
The Martin is one of those movies you wish never ended. The movie has a runtime of 2 hours and 24 minutes, but the story flies by at warp speed. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll be drawn in, and you'll be on the edge of your seat. Director Ridley Scott was confused at the Golden Globes when the movie won for best comedy, and after watching the film, I am too. I read articles and had people try to justify why the movie could be considered a comedy, but sorry, you're just wrong. There are good dramatic movies, good horror movies, documentaries that you are meant to laugh during. That, however, does not make it a comedic movie.
Good luck to Matt Damon who is up for best actor. The large cast full of talent made it sort of an ensemble cast, but without a doubt Damon put on a great performance. He handled the complexities of his character, Mark Watney, the way a Hollywood vet should handle it. He made you believe Watney was in pain, frustrated, determined, joyful, and anxious on command. We all want to see Leonardo DiCaprio win an Oscar, but he might just have to wait again.
I am disappointed in myself that it took me this long to watch this film. How did I think that a Ridley Scott directed movie set in space was not going to be good? I believe with the help of charismatic scientists like Neil deGrasse Tyson and Bill Nye, and with Hollywood's increased interest in space exploration (Star Wars, Interstellar, Guardians of the Galaxy, Star Trek, Gravity), we have re-stimulated the country's interest in the cosmos and S.T.E.M. Hopefully with the help of this momentum, we can re-prioritize education in our country.
If you're looking for a movie that revolves around the concepts of "determination" and "home", this is your film. "Home" is not four walls and a shelter. Home is where you find comfort, happiness, and a place where you feel safe. Watney tried to make a home on Mars, and despite his most valiant efforts, he found out there is no faking what home really is. Do yourself a favor, and watch this movie now.

"The Big Short" Review

I'm on a hot streak, and although that luck didn't carry over to the Powerball drawing, I did catch another fantastic movie. The Big Short will make you confused, it'll make you laugh, and terribly depressed. It is a very important film to watch before this year's election.
The movie shows you the horrendous underbelly of capitalism and deregulation. You see what happens when the greed of our species, a species that mostly evolved during times of scarcity and is hardwired to hoard, is handed a system that allows greed to act without impunity.
The movie moves swiftly and is mostly reckless, much like the financial sector. There are hefty temporal and spatial jumps, but you are never lost. The cuts are quick and disjointed. You are given shots for fractions of a second and the jump cut is utilized often, but all the coverage is worthwhile. There a many scenes shot with a long lens that gives the film a very voyeuristic feeling. The fourth wall is not only broken in this film, but it is knocked over with a wrecking ball and jackhammered to pulp. You are in the movie, and you are an accomplice to the greatest financial failing in the history of mankind.
There is no shortage of names attached to this film. Brad Pitt is not only in the movie, but helped produce it. Christian Bale, Steve Carell, and Ryan Gosling all put on great performances. I have a feeling most people will rave about Carell and Gosling, but it was how Bale handled his character that struck me. His character had very distinct characteristics, and he owned and gave life to all of them. There are no prominent actresses, and I that is only a poor reflection of Wall Street. It seems to me that any institution that is void of a female presence fails to hold any moral standard. For example, religion.
See you at the Oscars, The Big Short.

"Steve Jobs" (2015) Review

Audiences really missed out by not catching Steve Jobs. I doubt that the platform release hindered its box office performance, but maybe two Steve Jobs movies in two years had something to do with it. How unfortunate the Ashton Kutcher film had to come out first, although that's me judging without having seen that movie. When I first saw the trailer for this movie I thought, "Another Steve Jobs film?" but then I quickly saw that Aaron Sorkin wrote film and Danny Boyle directed it. Instantly I thought it was a must see. Then I saw the box office numbers and I thought maybe the film was a miss. It isn't. Don't let the lack of commercial success dispel you from watching this movie. It has the quick wit and pacing like Sorkin's other works, and it's all tied together by the creativity that Boyle always brings.
Many viewers claim that the film depicts Jobs as an egomaniac. Perhaps there is some truth to it. However, I am jealous, turned off, and I admire Jobs in equal parts. His conviction/stubbornness wouldn't allow himself to fail or succeed in any other way than his. That is the complete opposite of what I am. My timid personality is content with walking down the middle as long as no one is hurt. I do not see this as a Jobs bash movie, but rather a deep and honest look into three major and stressful times in Jobs' life. 
The performances throughout are great. Michael Fassbender seems to have a one-on-one scene with each of the other actors and each dance is full of angst and direction. I also really enjoyed Boyle's choice to shoot with film and digital. He always seems to tinker with some production mechanics in each of the movies, and it really pays off in this one. Two different types of film helped show which year the events took place in, but it also showed where Jobs was professionally. Then shooting shifted to digital leading up to the release of the iMac. This choice may be subtle, but I think it made a big difference. The movie is two hours long, but it won't feel that way. I hope it gets some Oscar consideration.

I Saw "Hateful Eight"

Finally got around to checking out The Hateful Eight tonight. When the crazy and talented Quentin Tarantino puts out a film, you just strap yourself in and you expect a crazy ride that honors cinema. Without a doubt this is a Tarantino film. Plenty of dark humor that is timed perfectly. Moments that'll make you uncomfortable, but fit into the context of the film. Lots of dialogue and excess that traditional Hollywood would be too afraid to attempt. Easter eggs for the cinema buff. All of that neatly laced together by the usual Tarantino conventions that we have gotten so used to. Hateful Eight is a slow burner. The movie plays out almost in real time. There aren't many temporal jumps, nor are there many spatial jumps. I think that really tested Tarantino as a writer, and it also challenged the actors. I remember walking out of Inglorious Basterds thinking, "That's not one of my favorite Tarantino films", but it is apparent now that I jumped to a decision too quickly. Perhaps I had to let it absorb and sink in. Basterds is one of my favorite movies now. So, I won't be hasty with my grading of Hateful Eight.

Alex Of Venice Review

Gave this movie a 4 out of 5 on Netflix​, but I was this close to giving it a 5. I'm just a bitch with my stars, so I hardly ever give out 5s.


I complain about movies the same way I complain about music. There is a lot of good music in this world, but somehow the worst stuff always seems to rise to the top. Why the hell would anyone want to watch San Andreas​ when they could watch something that is worthwhile and meaningful? To be fair, I've never seen San Andreas, but pick any CGI infused summer blockbuster and odds are it's not very good. I would rather watch a movie like Boyhood​, Little Miss Sunshine​, and Alex of Venice​ where I get snapshots of life.
This movie came into my life at the perfect time. I'm really trying to find some traction to expand, explore, and improve everything I do, but I've been slipping and facing a lot of rejection lately. This movie reminds you that even when facing a few bumps and changes that you can still smile, have fun, and that life is not all that bad when you have loved ones surrounding you. Like the title character, I, too, feel frustrated and depressed when things are out of my control. But sometimes you just have to let things play out. Hug the people you love, spend time with the people you love, and don't worry.
I don't know what it is about scenes where people cry in the car, but they always work on me. The car is such a liberating, inviting, and insulated mechanism. There is just something about letting out a good cry in the car that just works. The color grading of the film has a warmness to it throughout the movie and it just glows. Despite the movie being about struggle and change, it remains positive until the end. I wanted to give someone the biggest hug when I finished the film. It also reminded me that I really should try this romance thing again. It has been about 5 years since my last romantic endeavor although it does not feel that long. Anyone want to go on a date?