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Movie Reviews, movies

Movie Review: Chick Fight (2020)

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Every once in a while, I stumble across a bad movie that leaves me feeling angry about the time I’ve just wasted. Chick Fight is one of those movies. There is so much I want to say, but here is the short version: This movie is terrible, do not watch it. The plot is lazy and predictable, the acting is mediocre at best, and the characters are unimagined.

I knew this movie bad. I felt it in my soul, but I wasn’t ready for how bad. The title alone should have been a red flag, but unfortunately, I watch anything once.

Chick fight is as generic as they come. The main character trains for a high-stakes big fight at the end while facing impossible odds. Somehow, through mostly confidence, she overcomes these odds and wins at everything. Think Karate Kid, but never as good.

My main issue is with Anna, the main character. She is as boring. She has nothing to lose, that is her motivation, but the plot gives her things. She gets the fight club, she gets to win at the end, she gets the successful coffee shop, and she gets the guy at the end without ever struggling. She gets all this because she believes in herself now? Fighting real people gives her the strength to fight life. That is the moral of the story, and I hate it. This movie takes every chance it gets to include a line of dialogue to slap you with its cheesy moral.

The cheesy message of empowerment aside, there is no way she wins her final fight. Anna joins the fight club, not knowing how to fight. Everyone in this fight club demonstrates some real skill, and then you have Anna, who has never even thrown a punch. Anna has two months to get good enough to fight the best fighter in the club. The rival, Olivia, has never been defeated. Olivia is shown beating three fighters at once. There is no way she wins the fight at the end. But through the power of character and shitty foreshadowing, Anna wins. Just watch Karate Kid.

There is so much I want to say about this movie. I have pages and pages of angry notes, but I will end it here: This movie isn’t worth your time.

Series Reviews

TV Series Reviews – Vice Principals (2016)

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Vice Principals is a dark comedy that should at the very least be on your radar. There is betrayal, deception, vandalism, and even attempted murder, all in a tightly knit and well-written two seasons. This show does a great job mixing its tones. One moment you will laugh at some witty exchange or insult; the next moment you will drown in sympathy because the bit of back story that is revealed is a bit too real. This show does a great job of creating sympathy for its assholes.

The story is nothing to scoff at. Every twist and turn is carefully formulated to build towards a satisfying ending. Sure the mystery might be easy to solve, but this show is about different narratives fitting together to create a whole story. Each character has a unique story, and even the smallest part contributes to the overarching narrative. The plot may be a bit on the absurd side, but that is what makes this show entertaining.

The best part of this show is the relationship between Danny McBride and Walton Goggins. The whole cast works well together, but their relationship specifically is what truly shines. Watching what their relationship turns into is where the magic is. This is not your typical buddy comedy, but it is a buddy comedy worth watching.

I will warn you that this show is not for everyone. The pacing is a bit slow as it builds to what it wants to be. Be patient. All the bits and pieces will eventually come together. This show is crude, gross, and a little offensive, but that is the point. If you like dark comedies, you should at the very least try the first couple of episodes. You can watch it with your HBO subscription.

Series Reviews

TV Series Review – The Tick

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I want to try to sell you on a show that isn’t going to be for everyone. The Tick is a superhero show that is available with your Amazon Prime subscription that isn’t your typical MCU cash-in. The Tick is a parody of the genre and a good one at that. The show follows the crime-fighting duo, The Tick and Arthur. The Tick is a neigh-invulnerable super with a strong and unwavering sense of justice, but he isn’t very bright. Arthur is a nerdy accountant with a super-suit. Together they fight crime and make friends along the way.

The show is cheesy and over the top. It is a tone that won’t resonate with all audiences, but it is one that I found delightful. I cannot see this story told effectively in any other way. There are random dance parties, meaningless monologues, cheesy catchphrases, and lots of silly moments that grant this show its charm. Think of it as a live-action cartoon that leans heavily into its cartoonishness.

If you are a fan of the original comic or cartoon, this is a completely new narrative. I haven’t read the comic and I only have vague memories of the cartoon so this review is based on the show. I do not know how they compare, but I did enjoy this retelling.

The Tick has a great cast with tremendous chemistry making for memorable characters and interactions. it tells a unique story that hasn’t been told before and one that is told effectively. Finally, it is a lighthearted and wholesome comedy that is accessible for the whole family. What more can you ask for in a superhero parody?

As a comic book fan who doesn’t care much for the MCU/DCU, I found this show refreshing. When comic culture started to become mainstream, I was excited and then quickly disappointed by how generic all the stories ended up being. I am delighted to have stumbled on a story that is both different and entertaining. It might not have epic battles or world-ending events, but it has a charm that should not be overlooked.

Series Reviews

The Legend of Vox Machina (2022) – Revisited

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The second set of episodes have just been released for The Legend of Vox Machina; I would like to take this time to revise my initial review. I was correct in assuming that it was too early to tell whether or not this show was any good, but I was right in saying that it was heading in the right direction. With this new set of episodes, the writers show important moments of character growth, and I for one am here for it!

This show is casual fantasy. It has enough fantasy elements to satisfy any hardcore fantasy enthusiast, but it doesn’t isolate those who just want something else to watch. As of now, you do not need to know and follow different tribes or houses. You do not need to keep track of different races or their languages. You do need to know who the main characters are and track the subtle nuances of their character development: their backstory, goals, and how they change over the adventure. This show does a great job at creating these moments of character growth without making members of Vox Machina overpowered and boring.

The strongest aspect of this show is its main cast. Vox Machina is crude, imperfect, and they struggle a lot. This struggle is important this early because it is in their failures and what they learn from them that the story happens. Despite Vox Machina’s poor reputation, the show does a great job establishing that they are still above average. There are moments in the show where an enemy easily overpowers guards or heroes, yet somehow Vox Machina holds its own. This helps establish Vox Machina as heroes without making them overpowered. They still struggle to win against these enemies, but just barely. They still have much to learn, which is perfect because it means more story for us!

I still believe that some knowledge of the Critical Role and D&D would help with the experience, although it isn’t necessary. There are a few inside jokes only accessible to fans of the show, and I as a fan enjoyed them thoroughly.

Lastly, this show also does a great job at translating tabletop to animated series. I like the way they handle skill checks and magic., but I can see it going over people’s heads. It helps to understand why a spell doesn’t go off or why a scene ends the way it does.

Movie Reviews, movies

YouTube Movie Review: Black Sheep (1996)

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Chris Farley and David Spade make a great duo. The chemistry and charisma they share always make for a great experience. However, I do not think this is one of them. This movie isn’t bad; there are worse comedies out there. The problem with this movie is its pacing. This movie moves slowly, and although the jokes are funny, you have to wait a long time to get to them. Your time is better spent watching clips of the best moments. Watch Tommy Boy instead.

I don’t think this movie uses its actors efficiently. Farley isn’t as big or loud as he should be, and I forgot Spade was in this movie. There are moments in this movie where you get a taste of this movie’s wasted potential. There is a scene in this movie where Farley is put on stage at a rock show and the way he commands the stage, his charisma, and the energy he puts forth is proof that he was a treasure and wasted in this movie.

If you are a fan of this movie, it is free on YouTube. If you
want to watch a classic comedy, watch Naked Gun instead. I don’t believe that this is a movie that most audiences will enjoy.

Watch it Here!
Movie Reviews, movies

Movie Reviews: The Watch (2012)

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“The Watch” is one of those movies that is more about the actors than the plot. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it helps to be a fan of the main actors. As far as buddy comedies go, this one is fine. The chemistry between the actors is infectious, and there are some funny bits. Each of the actors plays to his strengths and they create some delightful characters. The problem with this film is that it doesn’t have much replay value. Essentially, this is a collection of funny moments woven together by an alien invasion plot.

I enjoyed this movie the first time. I cannot deny that it has a certain charm about it. Unfortunately, that charm wears off on the second viewing. Once you know all the jokes and have seen all the bits, you are just waiting around for meaningless plot development to get settled. It isn’t bad for what it is. God knows I have seen a lot worse, but you won’t remember watching this movie. Instead, you will remember specific bits and moments you think are funny.

I do not think this movie is worth paying any money to see, it is not entertaining enough to be worth any money, but as a free movie, you can do a lot worse. It is free on Amazon through IMDB, but I recommend you watch it elsewhere without ads because the ads do affect the viewing experience. If you do have to pay for it, I recommend watching “a best of” on YouTube instead.

Movie Reviews, movies

Movie Reviews – Cyrano (2021)

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I have never been a huge fan of musicals. This form of storytelling never resonated with me. I will watch them if I have to, but I never actively search for them. Cyrano is the first movie in recent memory that has challenged this view. This movie has dug a special place in my heart; I can’t recommend it enough. The cast is amazing, the music is great, and the choreography is pretty cool. I am saying this with little knowledge of the source material or even much experience in musicals so take my recommendation as you will.

The filmmakers use the setting and the music in a way to properly tell a tragic story that will keep the audience engaged till the very end. The charisma Peter Dinklage brings to the table is intoxicating. The charisma between the characters is palpable. If you are not in tears in love with these characters by the end of this movie, we didn’t watch the same thing.

I suggest you watch this in theaters. The music in this movie is amazing, but you need a proper sound system to experience it as is intended. It is in theaters in February. Go check it out!

Movie Reviews, movies

YouTube Movie Reviews: Never Been Kissed (1999)

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This movie is free on YouTube. The quality is a bit questionable, I am not sure if it is an official copy, but it it isn’t terrible.

I want to say that I love this movie. Drew Barrymore is amazing and she proves why in this movie. A bit of warning, this movie can be hard to watch because of its cringy and awkward moments but I believe that is the charm.

My favorite part about this movie is the main character, Josie. She is awkward and quirky in a way that isn’t annoying. I love how she is constantly correcting people’s grammar. I also love that the focus isn’t on her finding true love but her journey of personal growth. The movie does a great job at telling her story effectively through a series of flashbacks interwoven with her re-experience of high school.

The awkward tone is a huge part of this movie. It is part of the charm this movie holds for me but I understand that it isn’t for everyone. Some parts are difficult to watch because of how cringy she plays it. If you don’t like Barrymore’s awkward and bumbling characters, then you won’t like this movie.

That said, it is free on YouTube. Check it out if you haven’t. Check it out if you have. Let me know what you think!

Watch it Here!
Movie Reviews, movies

YouTube Movie Reviews: Arthur and Merlin (2015)

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This movie is boring, don’t watch it. The acting is bad, the pacing is terrible, and the plot is generic and predictable.

What kills this movie for me is the pacing. It is slow; nothing ever happens. The only reason this movie is two hours long is that everyone talks so slowly. I don’t mind slow-paced movies when they are fun and interesting; this is neither.

There is no world-building. I can’t tell you where the story is set or what is going on because the storytelling is bad. I will forgive a lack of world-building if the action and the characters were interesting, but this isn’t the case here. Arthur is a generic noble action hero. Merlin is a weird cringy character. I think they wanted to make Merlin the comic relief, but none of his jokes are funny. The rest of the characters are forgettable. Even the villain fails to hold any weight in the narrative he is controlling. It is difficult to care about this movie when nobody on screen is interesting or unique.

The plot fairs even worse. Arthur and Merlin are on a journey to stop the evil wizard from summoning the ultimate evil. They blow through easy encounters and tell terrible jokes along the way. There is no urgency, despite the timer counting down. Nothing happens in this movie.

There is too much wrong with this movie for it to be worth your time. The fights are boring, the magic is inconsistent, and the pacing is horrible. Don’t watch this movie! Even if it is free, your time is better served elsewhere.

If you don’t believe me, you can watch it free on YouTube.

Watch it Here!
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TV Series Reviews: Panic (2021)

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Panic is a show on Amazon that promises a deadly fear factor drama about teens in a small town in Texas. It fails to deliver anything entertaining; I urge you to ignore its existence. The show follows a very dull protagonist who joins a game that has been a tradition in this town for a few years now. In this game, participants compete in dangerous challenges for a life-changing amount of money. Life-changing being only 50k. Challenges range from walking across high and narrow platforms to stealing from drug dealers. On paper, this show seems like a fun show full of suspense and danger. In execution, however, you get a generic and safe teen drama.

I never got the sense of any danger in any of the challenges. You know early on that the protagonist will win Panic, thus the sense of danger doesn’t exist. This poorly written show is predictable. From its plot points to its twists, there are no surprises. The worst of this show is the whiny and boring protagonist you are stuck with. Granted, the acting in this show isn’t great, but somehow hers is the worst. She has no emotion or personality. I already forgot everything about her character.

For a show like this to work, you need drama, suspense, and a sense of danger. Instead of any of that, you get shameless fan service at the cost of plot development. Or you get boring teen drama nonsense that I never signed up for. Maybe I am not the target audience, but I gave this show an honest try. It never gets any good. I got halfway through the series, and I was still waiting for any sense of danger or intrigue. I am so mad this show has the gull to sequel bait. I’m sure season two will be even more disappointing.

This show is poorly acted, poorly written, and poorly executed. Not to mention that the plot holes are hard to ignore. Do not watch this; it is a waste of your time. Maybe the book is better.