Category Archives: movies

Movie Reviews, movies

Ron’s Gone Wrong (2021) Review

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I might be late to the party for this one, but it is one I need to talk about. If you are looking for a cute kids movie you can enjoy with your kids, look no further. If you don’t have kids, this is a great movie to watch regardless.

This movie gives off “Big Hero 6”, but it has enough of its own charm that I wouldn’t count it as a clone. It is no “Next Gen”. This movie focuses on a friendship that blossoms between a boy, Barney, and his defective B Bot, Ron. It’s fun, it’s cute, it’s smart, and it’s heartwarming. They do make the argument of how social media can be isolating, but it isn’t abrasive or overbearing. I think they handle the topic very well in a format that is entertaining for everyone.

The characters are likable and memorable. The story is enjoyable. I fear that I don’t do this movie justice because I enjoyed it so much. The point is, if you haven’t seen it, watch it. If you have watched it, it comes to Disney+ and HBO Max December 15, 2021.

Movie Reviews, movies

YouTube Movie Reviews: Fanboys (2009)

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If you haven’t seen this movie, I urge you to check it out. If you’ve seen it and love it, it’s free on YouTube.

As far as these road trip because one of our friends is dying movies go, you can’t go wrong with fanboys. It has a certain charm that I find is unmatched. Now I won’t sit here and lie to you, the ending is cliché. What is important here is the journey they go on and not the destination and that’s ok because you enjoy the journey they go on.

The characters are lovable and memorable. The hijinks for the most part are grounded in reality, and those that aren’t are funny enough that it doesn’t matter. It is a well-crafted movie and I urge you to watch it.

I particularly like that the nerd culture isn’t overbearing like in other movies. It feels like a group of friends who are passionate about Star Wars that set off on an adventure. It’s one of the better movies on the platform and you can’t go wrong with free.

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Movie Reviews, movies

Youtube Reviews: Idiocracy (2006)

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This movie is a political satire that addresses the dangers of commercialism, complacency, and laziness. It is an interpretation of a possible future if we as a society do not change. The future is a waste land full of idiots who no longer are capable of solving basic problems. There are trash mountains, rampant government corruption, and human life is owned by corporations.  The movie is simple in it’s story telling, but it is a tone that fits the movie.

I recommend this movie based on it’s uniqueness. The acting is over the top. Some of the saturations and shenanigans are ridiculous.  It is an imagining of a future that hasn’t been presented before and I for one am here for it. I will say that this movie can put off some people. It can be gross, obnoxious, and rude but that is the point of the movie. Overall I believe it to provide proper social commentary and I urge everyone, even those who might not like it, to watch it. This is easily one of the better films on the platform.

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Movie Reviews, movies

Youtube Reviews: Oliver, Stoned (2014)

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This is a stoner comedy with some charm, but not enough to make it worth your while. If you smoke weed, I can see it being a better experience, but I wouldn’t classify this as a must watch. The plot is simple, the acting is decent, and the hi-jinks are outlandish but they fit the tone of the movie. If you aren’t high however, the cheesiness of the movie is off-putting and some of the characters  lean towards more of the annoying end of the spectrum.

It is a stoner movie so this movie is consistently stops to take a smoke break. This slows the movie down, not that there is much content to fill the space to begin with. Overall, I didn’t hate this movie. It was something to watch and I have most definitely seen worse. That said, I don’t recommend this unless you are really high and don’t have any better movies to watch.

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Youtube Reviews: The Shack (2017)

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It’s a Christian movie. It explores a man’s faith in God through a series of conversations as a he works through the loss of his youngest daughter. Is it a good movie? No. It’s slow, repetitive, predictable and preachy. I lost interest half way through because nothing happens. Is it a good Christian movie? Yes. It has a clear message, it’s heartwarming, and it brings up a lot of good points about Christianity.

Overall, I can’t recommend this movie unless you are a very religious person. I am not very religious and I felt almost alienated by the content. This movie is a series of conversations about a person working through his faith. There is a sub plot about a kid napping and something about poisoning but most of your time with this movie will be spend listening to conversations that get a bit repetitive. Again there is nothing wrong with the content, the acting is solid and the overall theme of the movie is ok, it just didn’t resonate with me because it was a bit too preachy for my taste.

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Movie Reviews, movies

Youtube Reviews: The Promotion

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It’s hard to write about this movie because it was so bland. This is a movie about the mundane nature of working at a super market. The humor comes from the extraordinary antics that come from the two main characters competing for the same promotion. It is a bit like Napoleon Dynamite in that nothing really happens, but it isn’t as good. I am sure if you like slow and awkward humor, you won’t mind this movie. Otherwise, you probably will lose interest towards the middle.

I do like that it makes a jab at retail corporate culture. The two main characters are stuck in dead end jobs and the promise of advancement is enough to make them go crazy. John C. Reilly puts it best at the end when he says “we’re all just out here tryn’ to get some food. Sometimes we bump into each other”. That is what this movie is a bout, two guys trying to put food on the table and survive working a job that doesn’t care about them or pays them enough. It is a commentary on low wage jobs, essential workers, and the people who exploit them. Is it effective in its message? I think so. Is it for everyone? No, most people looking for an entertaining movie will probably not like the pacing in this movie. I enjoyed it enough, but it doesn’t stand out in my mind and I probably won’t watch it again.

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Movie Reviews, movies

Youtube Reviews: Bandslam (2009)

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There isn’t too much to say about this movie.  It isn’t impressive and hasn’t aged very well. It isn’t bad, it’s just a another kids movie where the goal is to win the battle of the bands. If you’ve seen one, you’ve have seen them all. But don’t let that dissuade you, it is no where near being the worst movie on the platform.

This movie probably isn’t for the regular movie goer. It is good if you have kids.  The plot is simple, the characters are awkward but likable, and the some of the music is decent. Don’t worry, it doesn’t have any of that repetitive, torturous toddler music. The performances in this movie are also pretty solid. The main character really feels like this geeky kid who is passionate about music. The friend group in this movie feels like a real group of kids who are in a band together. If you have to watch this, you won’t want to kill yourself.
 

My only real issue with the  movie is that I never really got into Ska. There was a bit too much ska in this movie for my taste, but that in no way ruined my experience. I just wish it had more punk or even some of the emo stuff they tease you with.

Watch this movie this if you have nothing else to do. Throw it on if you have kids. Skip it if you hate ska.

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Youtube Reviews: Bait Shop (2008)

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This movie wasn’t bad, it was just boring. It is generic, lazy, and not really worth your time. This movie suffers a lot from its writing. The acting is fine and they try hard with the little they are given, but the jokes don’t really land and they try so hard to be funny that it leaves the movie feeling cartoonish.

This movie is a copy of these save the dying business comedies like Barbershop or Dodgeball, but it doesn’t have the charm that those movies have. Honestly, if you have seen one of these movies, you have seen them all.

Here is the plot: Man owns a failing business. Bills have been piling up for so long that they bank rightfully comes to take the failing business. There is a big evil corporation that comes to town who comes to take the business. There is a time limit and price tag to save the business. When hope seems lost, there is a contest with a prize that is conveniently the amount needed to save the business. For some reason, the leader of the successful business takes too much interest in this small failing business and also enters the contest to attempt to block the save. There is an embarrassing first encounter where the main character loses badly. He rallies and begins to win but there’s a fight between he and his friends. Some sabotage later the friends come back and work together on some rule bending technicality that wins them the contest, the town, and the girl. The Villain loses everything.

Honestly this movie, and movies like this wouldn’t work if the villain did nothing and waited for the failing business to fail a again. Despite the bait shop being the social hub for the community, the community is 4 people who don’t spend any money on bait.

If you like movies in this genre, I would suggest watching one of the better ones in the series. This one is incredibly generic and forgettable. It isn’t funny, entertaining, or worth your time.

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Youtube Reviews: Nacho Libre (2006)

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I will be upfront, I am a little biased when it comes to this movie because it played a big part in my teenage years. That being said, I urge you to watch this movie if you haven’t done so. This is a comedy that makes light of the mundane life in a sleepy village in Oaxaca. If you are looking for a loud and outrages comedy, this is not it. It is a quite ride where the guide is Jack Black and Jack Black came here to perform. I would argue that this is one of his best roles. He is charming, he is funny, and he brings in all the charisma this movie can hold within the limits of its run time. His performance alone should be enough to convince you to give this movie a chance.

If you have kids, this is an inoffensive movie to watch as a family. If you are bored and need something to watch, or re-watch, it’s free!

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Youtube Reviews: School for Scoundrels (2006)

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This is an odd one. Some of the jokes have not aged well, but it isn’t a terrible movie. I recommend it just for the performances. The conflict between Billy Bob Thorton and John Hader in this movie, although dumb as it is, is something you should not ignore. John Heder has this gift of portraying truly awkward characters. There are scenes in this movie that are incredibly awkward to watch. Billy Bob Thorton’s performance should not be overlooked either. He is able to be the perfect villain for this type of movie.

My only real issue with this movie is the love interest. Amanda only exists to be the prize and that is problematic. Her whole personality is boiled down to be the girl the rivals fight over. As a result she is inexplicably infatuated by a guy who up to the events of the movie has not left much of an impression. I think Sarah Silverman says it best when she compares continually compares him to a serial killer. But this movie really isn’t about her or her lack of personality and if you treat her like the object the film makes her to be, it shouldn’t be a problem. She doesn’t add anything to the plot except create a central conflict.

Overall, it’s not a waste of time. As cheesy as this movie is, I’d watch it just to see John Heder and Billy Bob Thorton perform.

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