Change Your Image
![](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BMjQ4MTY5NzU2M15BMl5BanBnXkFtZTgwNDc5NTgwMTI@._V1_SY100_SX100_.jpg)
srgymrat33
Ratings
Most Recently Rated
Reviews
Brothers (2009)
It was good but unclear why do many loved it
This was a quality film with great acting and some powerful themes . Every main character was cast well and the family dynamic felt real and authentic . There was a lot in here - loyalty and love , service and sacrifice , grief and expectation. All of these themes played out well...
Something about it though just did not click for me . It felt halfway done and under developed. I finished it and felt the sadness and tragedy in the story but felt removed from it . The story never drew me in enough to feel invested .
I love JG- he is one of my all time favorites and so is Portman - but even the two of them together didn't quite click the way I wanted .
Good not great - planning to watch the original .
Unsung Hero (2024)
It's a Christian film - it lives up to that in the best way
First of all you need to go in knowing what it is - so if you are not wanting a family friendly film based around faith then watch something else . If this is what you want and you are willing to buy in - this is an absolutely AMAZING movie .
Fist of all the production value was actually pretty high ( again - for what it is ) and the story telling aspect of the film was well done- the plot moved well and kept you engaged , the character development was fantastic and the design and set really matched the early 90s . Even the dialogue was solid - it felt authentic and it felt real and the cool accents sure don't hurt . All the actors were cast well and they hit it out of the park .
The story itself was powerful and inspiring -I can honestly say I left wanting to do better and be better . I want more faith and more optimism . Helen really was an incredible human being and it shined through this film - it's even more incredible that her kids were who wrote and produced a lot of this and this is how they view her - something to aspire to .
It's real and it's wholesome , it's happy and tragic and it does not pretend to be something that it isn't - so go in prepared and if you do - you'll freaking love it .
Young Woman and the Sea (2024)
What a story - TRUE HERO
This movie was unbelievably good and I cried through the entire last 30 min . The story is one of perseverance and guts , sacrifice and valor and of the power of allowing yourself to be different and fight .
First of all I cannot believe I had never heard this story before - I am a HUGE sports fan and this has slipped through the cracks . The story sticks very closely to truth with some artistic liberties taken but for the most part - it remains true to the original . The message and feeling and moral is true and the feeling is true . It is so easy to forget how much sacrifice and drive and challenging of society went into the opportunities that we as women and girls have today in sports because of women like this and she was able to do it because of the strong women around her - this movie made me thankful and humble .
The casting was awesome and so was the character development . Loved the whole family and you hated the "villains " the chemistry between sisters and that bond really made the movie and Ridley was great . Both "Eppy" and Trudy's mom were hard core women and then were courageous and authentic .
The best scene in the movie involves Meg helping Trudy and realizing not every dream is the same and you can live yours and accept life happily and also support those around you .
My only complaint comes in that it felt a bit ... juvenile ? Low production quality ? Not the best script writing / dialogue specifically ? I am not sure but I loved it regardless and will watch it again and again.
Swim towards the light and remember " there's no place like sports "
Kimitachi wa dô ikiru ka (2023)
You just need the right approach
First of all aesthetically this film was on point - the animation is BEAUTIFUL and the contrast in colors and visuals from the real world to the dream world / tower world / spirit world ( whatever it is ) was really well done .
The movie is fairly confusing from a plot perspective if you are looking for it to make sense or connect on any sort of surface level . You can't look for the deeper meaning too hard or you end up feeling frustrated and like nothing makes sense at all . You have to be willing to let go and let the plot happen without over thinking it and then give yourself a chance at the end to draw conclusions as you discuss or look up YouTube explanations or read some articles.
By the end of the film I was able to draw out the message of grief and hope and that we cannot control much of what happens around us - only our own attitudes an action which is a powerful message . After a few videos explaining other symbols and bringing it back to the authors own life I did begin to appreciate more the meaning and drive of the creator wanting to make this film and the power of the message and creation.
The ending tied up a lot very quickly - and a lot did become clear . Overall the middle of the film borders on slow because it's so all over the place . I think you need some major cultural background and knowledge which is not a bad thing - in fact it's a good thing - but you have to view it in the right way.
I am a true Ghibli fan and princess mononoke is one of my favorites of all time - this was not high on my list of his movies but I did appreciate it and am glad I watched .
Worth it - just expect the unexpected and don't try and force yourself to understand . Worth it.
Trautmann (2018)
Quality sports film
The production value is not fantastic- but everything else is . I loved this movie start to finish . The casting was amazing , the character development was so well done and the story itself needs to further accolades- as the truth speaks for itself .
This story was one of grief and hope and regret and forgiveness. Most importantly it was the story of learning to love those around us and brings out the age old truth that the more we know someone the more humanizes they become and almost always - the more we love them .
Many powerful scenes and messages - the closing sequence was powerful and I think the ESPN slogan fits this film amazingly well
"Where else can a man from a POW camp in England , who was a Nazi become one of the most beloved soccer stars in English history? Where else can one man help heal wounds of two nations and bring a community closer through forgiveness and goalkeeping ? "
" There's no place like sports "
Watch it - I will be again and I will be reading his book as well .
Incendies (2010)
Fantastic
This has been on my watch list for a few years and for one reason or another I always passed it over . I sure wish I had not and that I watched it 10 years ago - what a great and powerful film of love and forgiveness, war and grief, understanding and healing .
Start to finish you are drawn in . The character development was incredible and every actor was better than the next. Both twins did such amazing jobs in their roles and were great characters . Narwal was also casted so well and even both notaries were fantastic .
The development of "Lebanon " was so well done - it was aesthetically breathtaking and culturally you felt like you knew the place from the scenes chosen and the way the war was explained .
This was great film , this was great story telling and this is an important film with so many themes that tie into much of what we face in the world today .
Absolutely worth the time and a film that flies by as you watch because it's so high quality .
A Quiet Place: Day One (2024)
Better than expected
Here is the thing - the first one was an absolute masterpiece , the second one was mostly just ridiculous and this one - although a little silly - was overall enjoyable and entertaining.
This has some good jump scares , a cute cat , decent character development , good relationship development between sam and Eric , some cool shots of New York and honestly a pretty refreshing view of human nature . The overall message here was one that in spite of fear and loss and the end of the world - love still does exist and the innate desire to serve those around us . Honestly - Eric was downright adorable and endearing as a character and sam was a badass .
This isn't great cinema and it isn't without plot holes ( so many ) BUT if you like the franchise and you are willing to enjoy it for what it is - it's good enough for sure .
Respire (2014)
There is something great here
Right from the start you are in it . The character development was unreal- every character you feel like you knew within just a few scenes . What incredible acting from a young crew .
The thing is it isn't even really a love story - maybe they were lovers and maybe not - but it's the friendship that really kills you here - that makes this a tragedy . The level of love and trust and vulnerability shared to just get taken away for no reason , honestly it's more painful than a break up.
There were many great scenes - the baiting in the beginning with the question about passion and freedom set up the whole film , the montage of the developing friendship and the montage of the bullying - it all tied together and felt real and heartbreaking.
It left me thinking about what the real catalyst for this was - was it when she said Sarah was a "classmate " ? Was it truly just trauma from her mom coming to play in every relationship in her life ?
The victimization and narcissism was very well shown . The loss of interest in every other aspect of element of life , the total obsession born from grief - only to be torn apart again at a reconciliation ( seemingly )
Honestly is made me feel and it will make you feel too - feel betrayal and tragedy and loss .
Very quality film and worth your time .
Gojira -1.0 (2023)
Far surpassed my expectations
I went in imagining some good action and CGI with a tie to many of the other films and getting a feeling of nostalgia and some good action with some classically cheesy elements - all of that was there PLUS so much more !!!!!
Honestly start to finish the production value was top notch . It instantly gives you the feel of the originals and draws you right in . The way the story was set up in post WW2 Japan was brilliant and you really felt and saw the in near destruction and attitudes , grief and pain of Japan as a whole and individuals involved. This helped the title to really sink in " Minus one " refers to Japan already being in a state of "zero" and then being taken back again by this Godzillas appearance .
The character development was so well done - you really felt like you knew the characters and cheered for them - strangely even the development of Godzilla was there somehow . Each character had something taken from them in the war and it played through all the way until the very end .
The underlying themes here were really the highlights : family and honor , hope and grief , bravery and cowardice, the will to survive and depression - wanting to live for a future and help create something better instead of a focus on destruction . A fantastic cultural analogy about the strength of humanity and of Japan as a country .
The end leave you guessing - but closes it enough to be satisfied if it does not go on . Absolutely leaves you floored - one of the best I have seen in a long time . Absolutely worth the watch - more than once .
The American (2023)
Very dark
This is a great film . So much quality here ! First of all the sound editing and sound track were both extremely well done - the music and choices where to add music and where to go silent were meaningful and purposeful and crated the exact vibe to math the visual aesthetic.
Secondly the story itself is told brilliantly - you are left feeling the passion and desire and sadness - you see and feel the spiral into something completely raw and vulnerable- the love story here is between ballet and the dancer . The lead was incredible and she did an amazing job helping you feel raw .
The whole movie makes you feel sort of "icky " and question how far you would do to get what you want , what kind of person would you become to be the best ?
You are drawn in , impressed and left thinking long after . This review isn't doing this film justice but I loved it - it has an X- factor I can't even seem to put into words here .
Ballet is hard core - watch this !
Arthur the King (2024)
True story 100x better
I have been a huge fan of the ESPN feature since it came out years ago . I love a good sports movie and I had been excited to see this . I do understand some creative liberties had to be taken to move the story along - but a lot of it was so far fetched that it took away from the true spirit of the dog and the story !
The writing was very cheesy and much of the movie seemed forced . The extra drama added from the rivalry and perspective changes for the main character were just too much .
Entertaining though and can't fault a story that involves a dog and sports and the DR. Skip this and watch the SC original instead - free and 14 min long and incredible .
Deepwater Horizon (2016)
Very well done
This was a very well made movie about an incredible story . The film itself was written well , paced well and had great character development even within a very short period of time . The special effects were quality and helped the viewer feel and see the scope of this tragedy . The casting was spot on and you were drawn in .
Heroism was present throughout and this testifies to the power of the human spirit and desire to live and survive and those willing to help others . It also reminds us how dangerous greed is and the stewardship and power we have over this earth we live in .
Worth the time .
Ferrari (2023)
Lost potential
So much material here for a great story - but it got lost in a lot of nothing . Driver and Hyek both great as usual . The movie just didn't pull you in , there was very little character development and you almost needed to know the story going in with some background or you spent most of the time confused . It was extremely slow and tedious.
My very biggest pet peeve here though is making movies with people speaking English in fake Italian accents . WHY do they keep making these ? Either make the movie in Italian ( as it should be ) or drop the accents ! They sound ridiculous and the occasional use of an Italian word is just then trying way too hard .
The acting and source material ( although weak ) was enough to make it watchable - just not good .
Read Wikipedia about Enzo and watch something else :
Challengers (2024)
I was so excited for this ....
I have been wanting to watch this for months - the trailer was promising , the cast is amazing and the film itself looked promising . It was right on the line of idiocy and genius and unfortunately in the end - fell solidly ion the idiocy side .
Positives first as a 5 isn't a total bomb - the sound editing and sound track actually were a great edition. The techno background music through the film was a great touch and it did help set the mood for what the director was going for . It was well placed and over used but in a kind of way that was on purpose . The filming of the tennis scenes was admittedly pretty cool and different - especially the under the floor shots . Tashi as a young player could pass for the real deal . It kept you drawn in ( ish ) for the whole movie and you at least wanted to see where it went.
Now the idiocy side . It was far too long , much of it was fairly boring and dragged on and on . There was absolutely no character development and a complete lack of maturity and any redeeming qualities of any character . The entire plot in the end actually makes no sense - what exactly is the motivation here ? Why are they acting this way ? What does Tashi actually want ? These could have been set up in a way that made the viewer curious and leaves you thinking and drawing your own conclusions - but instead it leaves you wondering why you spent 2 hours watching this nonsense to come to a good idea that was very poorly executed and in the end did not achieve what it was trying to at all .
Not worth it .
Brokeback Mountain (2005)
A review of a re-watch
I saw this when it first came out . I was still in high school and LQBTQ stories were simply not around and represented like they are now . Back then it was the first movie I had watched where the main characters were gay and it was presented as the central plot point of the movie - this is why it was groundbreaking and this is why it garnered so much popularity and attention . I liked it back then - but I think I was too young to appreciate the impact , too removed from the LQBTQ community and too uneducated in cinema to appreciate it for what it is .
Fast forward to recently and I decided to rewatch . I am older , more mature , have friends who are gay , and have watched thousands more movies between high school and now . I was blown away by this movie the second time through .
First of all it is aesthetically amazing , the scenery and the camera work was incredible . The soundtrack was touching and fitting , and both actors are incredible in their roles . The entire cast is incredible . Kate Mara was Alma jr was an absolute perfect cast .
The story itself - it's so tragic - you feel it . You feel the love , you feel the injustice and you feel the heartbreak . The ending is almost perfection and this movie needs to be on the list of groundbreaking film for all time . I love both Ledger and Gyllenhall and always will !
Dune: Part Two (2024)
I just can't handle no protagonist
I realize this movie is incredibly well made . The visuals , sound editing , acting and special effects are incredible . It's very quality cinema . The casting is amazing - every role was perfect except for maybe the emperor who came off as weak and not in the way he was supposed to . There are several scenes that really give you goosebumps - the worm ride being one of them .
In the end my issue is irrelevant to most viewers and I accept that . I simply cannot handle a story without a protagonist - it takes too much out of the story and my personal investment . The development of the first 4 hours ( movie one and two combined ) was fantastic and you could see Paul slipping and doubting but the last hour was so rushed and it was a total 180 without enough context or personal deliberation . Chani is the best part of this film and he cuts her out like a moldy piece of bread which does not fit the breadth of the relationship .
As it turns out - he is just a big dick and I was just so disappointed by this that I can't like it as much as it deserves to be .
Turtles All the Way Down (2024)
Very good message
Honestly I loved this movie . It is certainly not a great film or a groundbreaking piece of cinema - but it's powerful and poignant and makes you want to be better - more present and more willing to help others and empower those around you .
The main cast was AMAZING!!! They were selected so well and really had great chemistry . The "spirals " were presented in a way where , at least as someone who has friends with OCD , from the outside perspective seemed very authentic.
You were drawn in and the development in the writing and arc of each character and of their relationships to each other was very good .
Honestly the movie is full of great points , messages and one liners that can serve as mottos for life - but the whole thing really comes together with the speech from Daisy at the end and the montage of possible future happenings. The movie leaves you hopeful and sad- leaves you with a more acute understanding of the human condition as a whole , of mental illness and of compassion and effort .
Absolutely would reccomend!
Bob Marley: One Love (2024)
Incredible man and story - ok movie
This really could have been SO good . He was an incredible musician with a great and inspiring story. He practiced what he preached and has been an icon for so long , not only in music but in the fight for justice and equality and peace and love and for the oppressed nations and people of the world .
I felt like the music was tied in really well - it all flowed and made you feel connected to him and the story . The representation and explanations of Rastafarian beliefs were important and relevant to the story . The acting was unreal and many individual scenes were very powerful and moving .
The issue comes in that each of these scenes felt disconnected from the others , the movie didn't have a ton of flow and without some background knowledge on Marley , on his family and on the politics of Jamaica - it would have been very disjointed and confusing . The movie itself felt very boring at times because it was just one random scene after another .
Major respect for the film as it presents an important man in a great light and will help get a good message about about someone who changed music and the world- but I hope another film gets made at some point - because it has potential to be great.
Watch it , read about him , listen to some of the music and realize that you are watching history be told and it's so relevant and important in today's world .
Das Lehrerzimmer (2023)
Great filmmaking
This really was extremely enjoyable, thought provoking and intense . I was in it start to finish - it really brought you in , in a way that made your hairs stand up and feel nervous for every character . You could feel something wrong happening , you could feel the bad vibe but could never quite put a finger on what .
The character development was incredible . Considering the entire movie took place in the school and you basically had no details or information about the outside life of any of the characters - you still felt connected to each one and that you knew so much about them from the writing and development . The acting was superb and the writing , camera work and sound editing all worked together to make a really quality film .
I am a teacher in America , and the themes and issues in the movie were extremely relatable. The idea of a "teachers lounge " both literally and metaphorically was done in a very real and authentic way . The teacher was a great main character and she really did show love and care for the students but was getting hit from all sides - teaching is frustrating and difficult and can feel so isolating , even when trying to do everything right .
This was a quality film , and I would really reccomend it .
Radical (2023)
Best one I have seen in a long time
This really had it all - an incredible story , great cinematography, fantastic writing and first class acting .
The movie carried a very important message and it told it in a way that kept you absolutely riveted . It felt real and authentic , the character development was so good and deep even in characters with very little screen time and very few lines .
The back and forth between inspiration and reality , happiness and fear and a very authentic look at culture , at idealism , at burn out , at corruption and at desperation felt real to you if you let yourself really immerse yourself in the story .
I absolutely loved the contrast at the ending - it was an incredible way to show two very different outcomes and how sometimes circumstances do dictate our reality and crush potential - but sometimes we can get out , and maybe more important for the potential viewers of this film , you can help someone get out .
This was absolutely worth every single min - kudos to the writers , editors , actors ( especially the young part of the cast ) and directors and the story that inspired this .
There were several very touching scenes but the one that resonated with me was when Sergio monologues about the education system and how life has changed , kids have changed - but teachers and the system have not . I am a teacher and I absolutely cling to those obsolete ideals that can no longer exist in a world where everything is different . The circumstances I teach in are vastly different than those in the movie - but this is a good reminder for teachers anywhere - you teach students not subjects !
La passion de Dodin Bouffant (2023)
Like it for what it is
This is an exceptionally slow burn ( only in the allegorical sense , as they don't actually burn any of the food )
The aesthetics are mesmerizing and the presentation of the food was enough to make me hungry, even never having eaten French food in my life and being extremely picky . It was a love letter to food , to cooking , to art , to patience and to a lifestyle that no longer exists .
The natural feeling was amazing as well , these were good people , trustworthy people , people you want happiness for and want to win and that was all developed in the first scene , with no dialogue which is amazing filmmaking .
Another major shout out goes to the sound editing / track . The sound of the garden and the kitchen felt so real and added to your closeness so the characters , their lives and the food itself .
It's very very slow , it's very foreign , it's an art film and it's meant to develop at a snails pace . Appreciate that . Be ready for that and you'll love it. .
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023)
I mean - sure
The book was solid , not great , but solid . Coming in with the extra character development in mind I think really helped in the enjoyment of the movie . The story itself was good and it for sure was entertaining. You wanted to finish , you felt nervous at the appropriate parts and you were cheering for the right people . It fits into the Hunger Games world well , the same feel , same cinematography, and an appropriate number of references to make it all work and for fans to get excited about. I liked it - if you don't think too hard about it - you like it .
Rachel Zegler is so talented , she really does have an incredible voice and a natural charisma. The singing at times felt a bit forced , but she is good enough to make it worth it .
My main complaints here come in with the chemistry and relationship development between not only Gray and Snow , but between everyone . The first third did a good job of helping the audience see and understand people's actions and relationships to each other , but come the second part and all the sudden it's all very murky - and not in a "people are complicated " type of way , but in a way where things seem to happens only to move a plot along and not for any other seemingly good reason . You are confused by motivations and romanticism and you go from point A to Z but missed at least L-P.
It's fine , they did a fine job and I did enjoy it , just not great writing.
The Zone of Interest (2023)
Does what it's meant to
Honestly this is just brilliant film making . It's slow , its eerie , it's disturbing and thought provoking . It's amazing that a movie that shows explicitly very little pain and suffering is able to make you feel so deeply that it is there , it's palpable .
The cast was incredible - the reality of the issues within the marriage and humanization of the Hoss family in many ways was in stark contrast to their utter disregard for what was happening on the other side of the wall , what they were doing and how that enabled them to live a "dream" life. The complete disinterest on the part of the wife and children and the interest of the father in simply killing for the pleasure was so well presented in a way that helps you remember just how evil this really was , and that evil was carried about by everyday people .
This is honestly such an important film always - but specifically now . I am Jewish by heritage , all my grandparents escaped Europe in WW2 . Many times this time period of genocide is used to excuse anything the Israeli state does , but this is such a good reminder that the Germans were not monsters - they were ordinary humans , called on to do atrocious acts in the name of self defense and self improvement from a nation that had struggled since ww1. Now the world is enabling the same thing to happen in Gaza , as we in America attend our parties and swim in our pools , watch sports and take no interest in what is happening . A genocide is occurring , it's not on the other side of the wall , it's on the other side of the world , don't let that allow you to ignore it .
The Boys in the Boat (2023)
It's like an expensive looking Disney channel original ...
I am a sucker for a good sports movie and this story is pretty incredible . It is one that deserves to be told and undoubtedly I left feeling inspired . It sticks to mostly facts and it's very visually pleasing . The acting was decent and the movie had a good flow to it in terms of speed .
The main issue is with the writing - it felt very amateur and juvenile . There was basically no character development and all and when there was it felt extremely forced and rushed . You had to have way too much background knowledge of the collegiate sports system of the 1930s , the Olympic rules , political background of the times , about crew as a sport and the list goes on .
I really felt like the quality of the writing and dialogue was bad enough it took away from a great story .
Worth watching ? Yes - absolutely. Great film ? No . Watch it over and over ? No - too slow and without any emotional investment into the characters.
All of Us Strangers (2023)
You have to watch it twice
The entire first time through I was mostly just confused . The timeline is very hard to follow , it's difficult to understand what genre it is and you feel lost in the story ( or lack of ) and I felt very frustrated . I love Mescal and so pushed through , the ending was powerful - even with my confusion . I then spent 20 min looking up "explained " articles about the movie - and by the time I understood what had happened ( at least sort of ) I liked it vastly more than when I had finished .
With my new found understanding and knowledge I watched it a second time and it was remarkably better . The themes are powerful and relatable , the film is incredibly well done allowing you to come to your own conclusions about how or if or why any of this even happened at all . The apartment building was an amazing setting , all 4 main characters were well developed and well acted , the sound editing was on point and it leaves you feeling raw, leaves you thinking , leaves you remembering how important connection is .
My suggestion would be - forget spoilers - go read an article that explains it to you first and then dive in and love it the first time .