Cocaine Bear is one of those dumb movies that you shouldn’t take seriously. While it fared better than I expected, it isn’t worth the trouble to watch it in theaters. If you are curious about this movie, wait for it to come to streaming so that you can skip all the boring bits. It isn’t a bad movie, but it isn’t worth the price of a movie ticket.
Cocaine Bear is a horror comedy about a bear addicted to cocaine that terrorizes a forest in Tennessee. The story focuses on three unsuspecting groups trying to survive the sudden bear attack. This movie is as dumb as you’d expect.
The acting in this movie is solid. The actors have great chemistry, and the bits of the plot that aren’t serious is a lot of fun to watch. The bear looks a bit cartoonish, but fitting of the movie’s tone. I loved the bear, and every scene that involved the cocaine bear was a lot of fun. Unfortunately, when there is no bear, this movie is boring. One moment you are crying from laughter as you watch cocaine-induced carnage, the next you will sit in silent disappointment as you have to watch boring development for characters you won’t care about. There clearly wasn’t enough for a movie, so there is a bit of filler you can skip past. This movie needed more bear.
There isn’t much more to say about this movie. It is a dumb movie that knows it is dumb. While some of the decisions pay off, not enough of them do to be worth watching in theaters. That said, you need to watch Cocaine Bear at least once to appreciate how dumb it is, but I recommend you wait for it to come to streaming.
Movie Review: The Strays (2023)
While The Strays gives off some solid Get Out vibes, it remains an odd movie to recommend. If you are out of content to watch, give this movie a chance, at least for the experience. While it isn’t the perfect psychological thriller it pretends to be, it does enough right that you won’t hate having sat through it.
Neve lives her ideal life in the suburbs with her successful and loving husband, two lovely children, and a great job. All seems perfect until the day the ghosts from her past begin to haunt her, slowly dismantling everything she has. Will these ghosts be what sends her over the edge, or is there something more sinister in the works?
It is difficult to review this movie without spoiling it. I will try my best to be as specific as possible without ruining the mystery.
The movie has a strong start but builds up to its disappointing twist. The actors are great and give some terrifying performances, but the story isn’t good enough to take advantage of their abilities. What killed this movie for me was the sudden tonal shifts.
The first half is this creepy psychological thriller that keeps raising the stakes as Neve doesn’t seem to have as strong of a hold of her life as she pretends to. I loved the increasingly disorienting narrative as Neve’s once-sterile day-to-day becomes increasingly unhinged. Through small details like how she increases the dose of her medication, her nervous ticks, and her increasing paranoia, the movie does a fantastic job of showing Neve’s disorienting mental state. Are the ghosts real? Is Neve’s life real? It is genuinely hard to tell because of how frighteningly disorienting the narrative is presented. But whatever momentum the first half builds is lost.
After the big reveal, the movie turns into a generic thriller. Any interesting characters developed in the buildup are lost in the worst storyline of this movie. I almost turned the movie off because of how jarring and boring the shift became. The final minutes of the movie sort of makeup for the disappointment because of how well the actors do, but it wasn’t enough to save the movie from mediocrity. This movie had potential and even proved itself with a few scenes, but it doesn’t push the story enough.
The Strays is an okay thriller, and something you should check out if you have nothing else to watch. It isn’t a movie I would rush to see, but you won’t hate it if you sit through it. Check it out on Netflix when you are ready.
Game Review: Inkulinati
I was sent Inkulinati to review my blog. I am grateful for the opportunity, but will not let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review of the game.
Inkulinati is a 2D turn-based strategy game with a unique art style and gameplay for the PC and Xbox. If you enjoy strategy games, you should look into this game. While it may seem like a cute and quirky game, its unforgiving AI mechanics will prove otherwise. This is the type of game that can prove punishing if you aren’t paying attention.
Inkulinati is a beautiful game. I love the art style, and the animation made me smile. The music and ambient sound are fantastic. If you want a relaxing yet somewhat stressful gaming session, you need to check out this game. I only found this game is stressful because I am not good at strategy games. Most people are smarter than me and will have a better time. This game felt a lot like chess but with a few extra steps.
The story is quirky and silly but nothing too deep. You won’t need to take notes to know what is going on. If you find yourself stuck on certain levels, it is easy to lower the difficulty and start over. I also suggest you look through the tutorials included in the main menu. The campaign gives players a nice foundation of the mechanics, but it is nice to go back to something you might have forgotten. This game will punish your lack of efficiency, so it is best to be proficient in at least the fundamentals. The game also has bot matches available from the start. I enjoyed these matches more than the campaign. The campaign isn’t bad, I just wasn’t smart enough. I enjoyed the freedom in this mode. I got to try out different maps, difficulties, and units without some of the limitations of the campaign. I mostly enjoyed the bot matches because I won more of them.
When I finally got the mechanics and found the right difficulty for my skill level, I enjoyed the game. It was cute, it was relaxing, and I was engaged in the strategy. While this isn’t a game I would buy for myself because I am not a fan of the genre, I can see someone who is a fan enjoying it. If you are in the market for a strategy game that isn’t competitive but still offers a challenge, give Inkulinati a chance.
You can play this game on Steam, GoG, and Xbox for $24.99. If you like this type of strategy, it’s worth the money. It’s also on Game Pass!
Movie Review: We Have a Ghost (2023)
I’d also like to take some time to thank Neyra Villegas for buying me coffee! Your support means the world to me. Thank you so much!
I just watched We Have a Ghost, and it is a bad movie. If this movie shows up on your feed, please ignore it. This movie isn’t worth the two hours it is trying to claim from you. There isn’t even enough movie to fill the run time. We Have a Ghost was made to pad Netflix’s already disappointing library. Stay away.
A generic dysfunctional family moves to a decrepit house hoping for a new beginning. But to their surprise, there is a ghost living in their attic. The generic brooding teenager, Kevin, is the only one to discover that Ernest, the ghost, is friendly. Kevin decides to help Ernest find peace in the afterlife. But some forces want to use Ernest for their selfish goals. Will Ernest find peace before it is too late?
We Have a Ghost is a lazy attempt at rebooting Casper. The plot is full of holes and cliches. The characters are so generic that they are forgettable. It is clear who is in this movie for the paycheck because the acting is mediocre. I don’t blame them because the writing is terrible. No talent in the world can make this movie work.
The biggest problem with this movie is the lack of substance. Nothing happens in this movie. It spends two hours setting up different storylines that don’t lead to anything. All the buildup leads to the most predictable and lazy ending. There was no clear direction for this movie, just an idea and some lazy gags to pad the run time. If you cut this movie down to its most impactful story elements, you are left with maybe five minutes of the movie.
Do not watch We Have a Ghost. With how much better content there is out there, you have better ways of spending two hours. But if you don’t believe me, check it out on Netflix.
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Hello Tomorrow! (2023)
The first four episodes of Hello Tomorrow! are available for streaming on Apple TV. So far, I am enjoying the series. I love the 50s retro aesthetic, and Billy Crudup’s performance is fantastic. I did find the story lacking in places, but it is good enough for what it is.
Jack Billings and the small team he leads sell timeshares on the moon. Jack is a successful businessman who can close his sales. But fate has other plans for Jack. A terrible accident puts his ex-wife in a coma and his estranged son back in his life. In a strange change of character, Jack chooses to take the opportunity to right some of the wrongs in his life. Will this sudden change in character destroy the enterprise Jack has worked so hard to build, or will it be the positive change he didn’t know he needed?
If you watch this series, it’s for the aesthetic and the performances. While the story isn’t bad, it is easy and predictable. There are a few weak and forgettable story threads, but the series isn’t bad. It seems that they traded story for style, but it’s not necessarily a bad trade. The retrofuturism in this series is so pretty. They get very creative with the technology without ever losing their 50s aesthetic.
The series will have ten episodes total, with the last episode airing on April 7. 2023. You can wait for April to binge it in one go or watch the new episodes on Friday. They’ve done a good enough job with the pacing that I don’t have a problem returning every Friday. While it is not a show I will be rushing to finish, I am curious enough to see how it ends.
If you have an Apple TV subscription and want something to watch, check out Hello Tomorrow! So far, it’s been a solid series.
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Movie Review: The Whale (2022)
If you haven’t seen The Whale yet, you need to go out and watch it. This is one of the best movies I have seen all year, but it is also one of the saddest. Be prepared to cry a lot.
Charlie is an obese man at the end of his life. He spends his days as a recluse, hiding away in his apartment and eating his feelings. As his health worsens, Charlie attempts to reconnect with his estranged daughter. Will he have enough time to amend his wrongs before his time is up?
Brendan Fraser shows the world his true gift as an actor in one of his most powerful roles to date. The chemistry he shares with the rest of the cast is truly moving. I am at a loss as I try to collect myself through the tears. This movie was that good.
Charlie’s story of addiction is very well done. Charlie uses food to cope with the emotional pain he carries with him. Charlie’s pain, issues, and mistakes weigh heavily on his conscience. As his time runs out, he becomes desperate for some closure. It can be hard to watch at times because Charlie faces issues common to the human condition. While some people can overcome their adversities and live the normal lives people pretend to have, others can’t. Addiction to drugs, food, or sex becomes an easy but temporary escape until it becomes a necessity. It is when a person becomes addicted to this escape that he gets stuck in a spiral toward the bottom. Some people need to hit bottom to regain control of their lives. Others will never get the chance. The Whale does a terrific job at showing the struggle of addiction as well as the collateral damage that comes with it. It can be very triggering, especially if you know someone struggling with addiction.
Anyways, please don’t let me dissuade you from watching this movie. The Whale is an important film that I believe everyone should watch at least once. The acting is fantastic, and the story is powerful. If you haven’t seen it or thinking of seeing it, watch it however you can. Just be prepared to cry a little.
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Game Review: Theatrhythm Final Bar Line
So I got Theatrhythm Final Bar Line because I wanted something that would tide me over while I waited for Digimon World: New Order to release. It looked like a cute rhythm game, and the gameplay didn’t seem too involved. Theatrhythm Final Bar Line is a Final Fantasy-themed rhythm game that you can play on the PlayStation or Nintendo Switch. If you are a fan of the series, you will probably enjoy this game more than I do. It isn’t a bad game, I just didn’t appreciate it as much as I could if I had that nostalgic connection this is aimed towards.
For the most part, Theatrhythm Final Bar Line is a solid rhythmic game. The mechanics are easy to grasp, the animations are cute, and there is a lot of content to unlock. My issue with this game is the music choice. I haven’t played any Final Fantasy games except for a bit of the MMOs. While I didn’t hate the music, it isn’t what I want in a rhythm game. I wish I could use my music like I can with Melody’s Escape because I loved watching my little party fight monsters. I needed something more upbeat and catchy for my enjoyment. I didn’t hate the game. I had fun playing through the songs, but it isn’t something I could play for too long without losing interest.
If you want a cute and chill rhythm game and love Final Fantasy, this is a great title to pick up. Otherwise, I would wait for a sale. You can get your copy for the Nintendo Switch of PlayStation today. If you want to try it before you buy, go check out the demo!
Movie Review: Knock at the Cabin (2023)
Knock at the Cabin wasn’t worth the movie ticket price. I don’t recommend you watch this movie in theaters, even if you get the tickets at a discount. If you are considering watching this film, wait for it to come to a streaming service. Even then, I would hold off because the apocalypse couldn’t come fast enough to save me from boredom.
An unsuspecting same-sex couple and their adopted daughter have their vacation abruptly interrupted by four strangers on a mission to save the world. With the apocalypse imminent, the three must choose to sacrifice one of their own, or else unleash the end of the world. Can the family make the ultimate sacrifice to save humanity before it is too late?
Dave Bautista is the only good thing about the movie. I have already forgotten everyone else, even the main characters. This movie isn’t worth sitting through for Bautista’s performance.
My biggest issue with this movie is the pacing. It takes too long for it to get to the point. You sit through a lot of backstories for a relationship you won’t care about and poorly written dialogue that becomes too preachy about humanity. Writing this bad doesn’t deserve a theatrical release.
Do not be tricked by the trailers; this is not a disaster movie. Knock at the Cabin is a pretentious take on the human condition full of lazy takes and little action. You don’t get to see any of the plagues, destruction, or deaths. Instead, you get to watch strangers talk it out. As a result, there is no sense of urgency or time limit. The world might be ending, but it doesn’t feel like it. For this movie to work, it needed higher stakes. I also didn’t care enough about the main characters for the choice to matter. The climax doesn’t feel impactful because I didn’t care about the family, and there was no sense of urgency.
I have been consistently disappointed by M. Knight’s movies for a while now. My expectations were low going into this, but Knock at the Cabin isn’t his worst movie. Dave Bautista is charismatic enough to make this movie less of a chore to sit through, and there were some beautiful moments of cinematography that I genuinely appreciated. That said, don’t watch this movie in theaters. I would wait till it comes out on streaming so that you can skip through the boring bits, but even then, I wouldn’t rush to see it.
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Series Review: Alice in Borderlands
I know I am a bit late on covering Alice in Borderlands, but I loved it so much I needed to talk about it. Alice in Borderlands is the live-action isakai series that you didn’t know you needed in your life. If you haven’t seen it, I urge you to add it to your list. It may be a bit cheesy, and the CGI is rough, but it is such an epic narrative that it doesn’t matter.
Irasu and his friends find themselves in a deserted Tokyo. As they travel through the empty streets of the town they once called home, they find themselves trapped in a deadly game. To survive, they must win a series of games where failure isn’t an option. Those who lose or run out of time die. It’s a similar concept to Squid Games, but this series came out first. Can Irasu and his friends find out who is behind the games before it is too late? Will they ever be able to return to their normal lives?
Both seasons are well done, with the second season being a narrative roller coaster that kept me on edge. The suspense in this season is killer despite the overpowered plot armor the main characters seem to carry.
The games are so much fun to watch, each getting more intense than the last. It does get a bit predictable, but I didn’t care because I was having so much fun. This show is graphic, so viewer discretion is advised.
The series uses the violence and stakes of the games to make important criticisms of the stagnation in human life. Each protagonist had moments in their past before the game where they wasted their lives or weren’t living to their potential. It was only when they no longer have control of their lives that they begin to reflect on their lives. For some, it is too late. They die without having the chance to make any real changes. Others, like Arisu, begin to experience personal growth as they begin to see life in a new light.
I loved Irasu as a protagonist. He isn’t a generic stoic that can be common in the genre. Instead, he is a flawed man whose resolve is constantly shaken by events in the game. As he spends more time in the games, Isaru never gets comfortable with the harsh world around him. There are times when the events will break him, and he will struggle to act when necessary. It is very cool to see a hero who is capable, but not perfect. It creates the perfect amount of tension for a series like this to work.
But as much as I love this series, it isn’t perfect. This series has a problem with its pacing. Towards the end of the series, it certainly feels drawn out. There are also times when this series will get a bit preachy about life and humanity, but it never gets so bad that I turned it off. Despite its flaws, I will be returning to this series.
Go watch this series! You might figure out the mystery ahead of time, and the special effects might look cheesy, but the story and action are so good that it won’t matter. The series is in Japanese with multiple dubbing available. While I always recommend watching media in their original language, the English dubbing is great. You can stream Alice in Borderlands on Netflix
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Legend of Vox Machina Season 2 Review
The second season of The Legend of Vox Machina has finally wrapped up, and the adventure is more epic than the last. If you are a fan of fantasy, you’ve already finished this series. For those who aren’t fans of fantasy, go stream it now! Do not be intimidated by its setting, theme, or even the fact that it is based on Dungeons and Dragons. This is a great story regardless of its themes. I am astounded at how a tabletop game became this epic story. I will be here for the whole adventure and recommend you do the same.
Dragons have invaded Iman, bringing death and destruction to its citizens. It is up to Vox Machina to collect the Vestiges and save Tal’Dorei from the Chroma Conclave. Does this band of misfits have what it takes to become the heroes Tal’Dorei needs?
What is left to say about this series? The animation is fantastic and has some of the best-choreographed action I have seen in animation. The voice acting is expectedly amazing. The cast gives their best performances yet, and I recommend you watch this series for the fantastic storytelling that comes from it.
For those who haven’t seen this show, it gets violent and crude, but I couldn’t have it any other way. The best part of this series is how user-friendly it is. You don’t have to know anything about fantasy, Dungeons & Dragons, or Critical Role. Prior knowledge may help you pick up an easter egg or joke, but it isn’t crucial to your enjoyment. I love that this series is so accessible because it brings such a misunderstood genre to a general audience without sacrificing what makes it so good in the first place. I need more people to nerd out with.
These two seasons of The Legend of Vox Machina have cemented this series as a staple in the fantasy genre. It has a terrific adventure with real stakes and character growth. I love that even though I know what is going to happen, I am still on the edge of my seat, fearful of the outcome. I love that Vox Machina starts as this selfish band of misfits without any real purpose or direction. They are even hesitant when they are first called to action because they weren’t hero’s then. I love watching them face their many trials and learn from them, slowly stepping into their roles as heroes. They are still flawed and will constantly encounter situations where that look bleak, making this fantastic storytelling.
If you haven’t started watching The Legend of Vox Machina, now is a great time to start. This is a fantastic story that you shouldn’t miss out on. You can stream both seasons now on Amazon if you have a Prime Membership.
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