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terrylarosa
Reviews
Wolfs (2024)
Two stars elevate the proceedings
Make no mistake, without one or both stars the movie most likely, would have been an endurance test. But they're stars for a reason and there never ending banter made us laugh or chuckle quite a bit. Engaging movie that never pretends to be more than it is. We weren't bored for one second watching the two guys give surprising and disapproving looks at one another throughout the movie. Ryan albeit the small role she has is also fun to watch. The kid while being a good actor is a stretch as any woman immediately wanting to bed such a scrawny looking guy, even a middle aged one. Don't look for a movie with some depth; just one that is fun and has engaging stars that are increasingly hard to find.
Alien: Romulus (2024)
If it wasn't for the last 20 minutes this mediocre movie
Would get 3 less stars. Absolutely nothing new. The two main actors are ok and decent but fairly unremarkable. She's certainly no Ripley ( not that that's achievable ) but I liked her more toward the end. But the movie just doesn't have characters to really root for. Aliens ( the greatest sci-fi movie ever made ) among almost everything going for it has Ripley, Hicks, Vazquez, Hudson, Bishop and even Newt. Nothing like them here. It doesn't help having a generic looking gen Z cast. The first two films had interesting mature adults ( something Hollywood will rarely understand ). As a matter of fact the character Bjorn was so repulsive and unlikabke that I was actually pissed off the first hour till his well deserved demise. The jump scares are laughable and did not work. The packed theatre was deathly silent during each one. The effects are top notch and the face huggers and Aliens are fairly well executed. As aforementioned the action scenes at the end make up for most of the early drivel. The film fails again at the very end, somewhat ripping off the first and 4th Alien movies. Those who know their movies will know how. Watch it if you're a massive Alien fan but you won't miss anything ( and save a few bucks ) waiting for it to come to cable or streaming.
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024)
Wow am I glad I didn't see this trash in the theatres
After reading several reviews I opted not to see it in the theatre. First time since I even saw Mad Max back in 79 but this was pure trash. Immensely unlikable characters and that includes Furiosa and Demonus. Joy is totally wrong for the role. She weighs what? 70 pounds. I don't mind women in action roles but it should be ones that won't bowl over in a stiff breeze. Theron was perfect. The action scenes here are mediocre compared to the last one and take forever to happen. I tend to be forgiving of even not so good CGI and rarely complain but the GGI here ( like the Flash movie ) was glaringly bad. This movie was one massive disappointment and a failure as an action movie. And those speeded up scenes were horrendous to watch. They should never be done. Ever. We thought the movie would never end. Watch if you're only a fan.
Bad Monkey (2024)
This is how you make an entertaining series
I'd thought this'd be junk and Apple has a tendency to stretch out shows double what they should be and end up being incredibly boring. That may happen here but so far there's zero indication of that. The first two episodes were incredibly well paced ( ignore the ADD Fast and Furious loving reviewers ), funny and incredibly entertaining. Vaughn is not always likable but he definitely is here. He's also aided by a good supporting cast; primarily Natalie ( the second sexiest Latina actress after Salma ). There are several good and nefarious characters to keep things interesting and the acting is top notch. The narrator ads some good subtext and humorous additions. My wife and I were chuckling throughout most of the episodes. Nice locations and since we live in Miami, several places we've been to. The two hours were over in an entertaining flash making the only drawback being we have to wait a week for the next episode. Great new show.
The Umbrella Academy: End of the Beginning (2024)
Are most of these reviewers mental
Excellent series finale with flawless CGI effects, good pacing and action. The siblings go out together ( certainly not in anyway anybody wanted but you can't have everything ). Season started out slow but came back strong in the second ep. Didn't particularly care for Jean or Gene which is why it gets one less star. Nevertheless the season was good and what's great song when Luther and Diego were fighting the CIA nubes. This show was never as good as The Boys but entertaining throughout; primarily due to most of its cast. Didn't care for Klaus or Victor. It was showing that it should end before it became maudlin like many shows tend to suffer from. Fairly good send off.
Outlaws and Angels (2016)
Without a doubt one of the worst Westerns ever made
Do not listen to any reviewer praising this awful movie where literally nothing happens except watching ( nearly every single ) characters depraved actions. The family is just as bad as the outlaws with religion again proving how ignorant it can make you. If you're looking for any action , look elsewhere. If you're looking for some of the most unlikabke characters in movie history, attempted homosexual rape, actual rape, sibling murder, incest, patricide and gibberish dialogue; punctuated by excruciatingly scenes that never end then this is your dream movie. I FF to the end to see if there was at least a shootout but nope; at least not one you expect. There are zero twists and turns so ignore the delusional rantings of praising reviewers. Comparing this director to Tarantino is like comparing Ed Wood to James Cameron. I will keep a lookout for future movies from this director to avoid like the plague.
Love Lies Bleeding (2024)
As awful as awful gets
I should have known when the critics praised this utter trash movie. And speaking of trash that pretty much describes literally all the characters in this movie. Unlikable characters are the theme of this movie. Action thriller? While I certainly didn't see all of this junk movie what I did see contained absolutely no action. Drugs, random sex, adulterous wife beaters, greasy weirdly haired octogenarians and massively unattractive and bulimic Kristin Stewart are the kinds of people populating this utterly junk movie. I'm so tired of these overly praised movies that have horrific characters. What kind of person enjoys a movie like that. And yes that was one incredibly stupid ending.
Cobra Kai: Best of the Best (2024)
That last scene........
Was 100% predictable yet it didn't lessen the impact one iota. Especially with that music reminiscent of the show Spartacus. And speaking of music the music that was displayed in the last two episodes fight training scenes was made for martial arts. After a fairly bad episode 2 the show bounced back in tremendous form with each succeeding episode. Throughout the season you expect some of the characters to revert back to their old ways but every time we are surprised that they don't. Except of course for the aforementioned spectacular final scene. The faces of the group was heartbreaking after all the positive strides taken beforehand. As usual some great fights throughout the season and the new villains look like a terrifically, credible threat. One caveat. Unfortunately we're going to have to wait a long 4 months to see the next batch of episodes and who knows how long after that for the final five. But man that music was epic.
The Boys: Season Four Finale (2024)
Spectacular beyond words
SPOILERS THROUGHOUT:
Finally we get to see Butcher's new powers ( though who wouldn't know what they were by now ) but it was still great to see in action. Unfortunately he killed Newman who I liked and probably would have helped the Boys in their plight against Homelander and Vought. Alas. Great fight between Annie and her double. Obviously they're setting up Ryan with his eventual takedown of Homelander; or will it happen and will he become just another Homelander. The acting this season has been stellar and practically the entire cast has had their moments to shine. One thing we didn't see is what happened to Ashley but at least Starlight got her powers back. The episode ends in great cliffhanger fashion with most of the cast caught but two highlights stand out. Kimiko regained her voice and looks like Soldier Boy will be back. It's going to be an agonizing long time before the final season. A long time.
The Acolyte: The Acolyte (2024)
Excellent finale leaving much to want a second season
That light saber fight is hands down one of the best ever done. SPOILERS: As I foretold Osha ended up killing Sol though not in a way I cared for though it looks like Sol let it happen at the very end. If we were to ( unfortunately unlikely ) get a second season there's a lot to look forward to with the Sith becoming two and Venestrae seeking out her former pupil. It was finally explained how Mae survived the fall, similar to Luke's fall on Bespin. This was as far away as you can get to the terrible season finale of Anbore which mystifyingly ( despite being the worst SW show ever made ) did get a second probable dreadful season. Also great final scene with a glimpse of Yoda. Look for a quick scene of Darth Plagues ( who I know from one of the best SW books ever written ).
Vikings: Valhalla: Seven Years Later (2024)
Great spectacular start
I'm a little mad that this wasn't advertised at all. I came upon the third season because I went to check what's going on on Netflix. Anyway halfway through the season and it's turning out to be the best. Great writing, some well done action set pieces, beautiful cinematography and spectacular sets are making this a complete winner. Enough that I'm liking it more than the last few seasons of Vikings. The three main characters acquit themselves well in ones you are invested in their journeys. It looks like Leif's well on his way to the Americas as he supposedly did in real life but I don't think they'll complete Haralds ultimate quest by season's end. All three have had substantial dramatic and action scenes and the show has a great supporting cast. Too bad this may be the end.......for now.
Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F (2024)
Gotta say that was mighty entertaining
I'd thought this would be ok but it was an immensely fun ride. Murphy acquits himself well reprising his biggest hit role. Better than the last two sequels put together. Murphy looking a good 15 + years younger quips some genuinely funny lines and most of the rest of the cast has some funny bits too ( except Serge who was mostly cringe ). Some of the funniest lines came from the real estate agent. I found myself laughing quite a bit. Perhaps the last Bad Boys movie ( which I haven't seen ) might not be bad either since the one before that was atrocious. Some good action scenes and great pacing make this a very watchable affair. The ending feels a bit rushed with the usual nonsense of cops with handguns liquidating a bunch of bad guys with assault rifles but whatever.........one of the best things ( if not the best ) is the great theme music. Enjoy.
The Acolyte: Teach/Corrupt (2024)
Wow has this show improved
I liked it initially but the last two eps have been stellar. One action packed. The other dramatic. The villain is really selling it here having several layers to his methods. Still in suspense as to Sol's secret and the origins of Osha. Why do I keep thinking that she will kill Sol and not Mae. Some really good writing this ep. I'm sure to the whiners it's not as riveting as the endless scenes from Anbore of unlikabke characters talking about nothing consequential or the scintillating conversations talking about the economy in that horrific, nothing happening show. As for this ep it had some beautiful cinematography and great effects. I really look forward to the eps as I'm sure the whiners do to. After all many of those are the first to critique. Good job Acolyte.
A Quiet Place: Day One (2024)
Quiet Place: The Quest for the Holy Pizza
Pizza: the most disgusting food ever invented. Cardboard with nauseous cheese. Anyway where was I. Yeah if you see this in a theatre with really good sound like we did you might get some of your money's worth. My wife who rarely gets frightened jumped several times during some genuinely tense scenes but this still pales compared to the first two. It's mostly the characters. Lupita is fairly unlikabke ( I don't even know her characters name ). Hounsou's character should have headlined the movie despite knowing his fate in the second one. Eric fairs a little better but we get to know zip about him. The best character was the beautiful but remarkably docile cat who not once but twice gets dunked in water with nary a screech or even meow. We learn nothing new about the aliens, why or how they got there. At this rate we might find out by the tenth movie but I'm not betting on it. As others have said half the good parts are in the trailer. If you're a huge fan of the other two movies or are cat people then go see it........otherwise.
The Acolyte: Night (2024)
Exceptional episode
This is what Star Wars is about. Absolutely stelar light saber fights; not endless babble about the galactic economy and banal conversations with a character's mother like the unbelievably, awful Anbore consisted of with atrocious writing and characters that no one cared about. This episode was wall to wall action. The villain unmasked which many had already guessed but still nicely done. We can also put to rest the absurd theory that Osha and Mae are the same character. Some truly shocking deaths of characters that were likable ( again unlike Anbore ). I've been liking the show more with each succeeding ep ( even the much hated 3rd one ) and this episode featured an outstanding display of light saber fights. Bravo.
Evil: How to Fly an Airplane (2024)
Best episode of the season
Unlike the other reviewers we enjoyed this episode immensely. Fun from beginning to end. Fortunately we only viewed one of those silly demons briefly. Was it logical for the Vatican to send the trio to Rome? Probably not but in a show that features silly looking demons who cares. I laughed uproariously when Kristen was singing that insulting song. Some people just don't have a sense of humor. I tend to like most of the shenanigans the 4 girls go through and rarely find them overbearing. Their escapades were also fun in this episode. Will they tell Kristen about their brother? Of course not. At least not initially. Kristen is not acting like a12 year old. Everybody acts differently in any number of scenarios; sometimes oddly or against norm. Its what makes us individuals and not cattle. She's trying to hold it together with the mysterious illness her husband has. It was also great not to see the usually, dominating silly hallucinations that the trio or other characters endlessly have since what David saw was a real apparition. Like most good shows Evil is ending it in its 4th season. For some reason 90% of shows tend to make a marked decline in quality after the 4th.
The Boys: Wisdom of the Ages (2024)
Amazing awesome episode
So much for this season being weaker than the others after this outstanding episode. Tons of emotion and drama and just the right amount of action. Great to see Firecracker get that beat down from Starlight though it cost her. Starr really outdid himself this time showing the depraved ruthlessness that governs Homelander. That woman was right. He'll never get past his ego and narcissism which dominates his life. And what's going on with Butcher and his secret power. Fantastic action scene with Kimiko and Hughie who finally let loose what almost all of us have deep down. What a relief knowing that there's still another season coming after this one.
The First Omen (2024)
A Celluloid Abomination
I knew it was going to be bad because it had too many good reviews for a horror movie. Terrible bad horror movies like Get Out and Hereditary also ridiculously received good reviews so there was no surprise here. No one lucid could possibly think this was good. After the only good part ( the intro ) it's all way downhill. The first half is more like Nuns go Wild. Then it just becomes a boring, awful miasma of nonsensical scenes. After last years also awful Exorcist sequel I didn't think I'd see another high profile horror movie that bad but I stand corrected. This was pure unwatchable junk that I unfortunately entirely watched thinking it couldn't get worse. Again I was corrected. Watch the original again or if you want to get scared a Scooby Doo episode, not this trash.
Sous la Seine (2024)
Outstanding and what an ending!!!!!
First of all there are some truly delusional people that claimed this is a Sharknado movie or some such nonsense. Flawless effects with the sharks who look as realistic as possible 98% of the time. And no we certainly were not rooting for the shark except for the clueless blue haired girl who deserved her absolutely spectacular death. But I was for the swimmers and the brave cops who continuously risked their lives. Likable characters and well acted, provided you don't see the dubbed version. Terrific action scene in the catacombs and what an awesome, explosive ( excuse the pun ) ending. Well paced and never boring this is well done and definitely one of the best shark movies ever made. Do not miss.
The Acolyte (2024)
At least it's a hundred times better than Anbore but
Then pretty much anything is better than that excruciatingly, slow as molasses nothing happening show. Initially wasn't to thrilled with Trinity being immediately killed off or the characters but I've warmed up to them a bit by the end of the second ep. Some relatively good fights and a focus on Jedi. It will never be as good as Kenobi or the masterpiece Ahsoka ( take that whining fans ) but it's entertaining enough and the plot seems headed to an interesting story. Will see. At least they're all new characters and a different time period and am always open to new ventures. My only true peeve is where are all the white guys. This SW Universe seems sparse with them but a minor quibble. Worth watching and ignore the forever hating.
Dune: Part Two (2024)
THAT WAS IT??? What a dreary slog of nothingness
First one was mildly ( mildly ) watchable. But this was a true celluloid abomination. They must've pumped some narcotic gas in the theatres for the praise this absolute slogfest received. I almost went to the theatre and mercifully I didn't because I would have been scarred for life. Rarely have I seen a movie as boring and uneventful as this. A few scattered action scenes that are mostly over before they begin, drab costumes and two of the worst leads in many a moon. Chalamet and Zendaya are horribly miscasted as Jack Skelington and Olive Oil and are so pathetic looking with their emaciated forms as to be disturbing. The uninspired effects ( except for some grand wide shots ) are a joke. And to think think people came down hard on the masterpieces Rebel Moon two parter and not this. This generations Empire Strikes Back?? LOL. More like this generations Flash Gordon only less entertaining. When Jack, uh I mean Paul walks up the hill in his 80 pound physique to inspire his troops is truly one of the most silliest and laughable scenes in movie history. Second is his fight with Feyd. How did he win after being heavily wounded and already looking like a corpse. Villanueve as usual directs so lifelessly that they should promote his movies as true cures for insomnia. I didn't even know the supremely talented Hans Zimmer produced the somnolent, screeching music till after. This film is a true travesty and a shocking reminder that truly terrible movies are still being made. Avoid like the plague.
Atlas (2024)
Gotta say............
It was an extremely entertaining movie. Ignore the naysayers who literally hate everything these days. Action packed especially the spectacular climax. Great effects for a not massive budget. It does have scenes reminiscent of Minority Report, Mass Effect, Edge of Tomorrow, T2 and Aliens but hey why not copy from the best. Lopez while not bad is miscast; irritatingly and forever screaming, whining and crying. But she doesn't hamper the movie overall. This would have been great to see in a theatre but alas.......anyway highly recommended and watchable. Certainly better than that overblown snore fest Dune with a 90 pound weakling as the lead. Don't miss.
Madame Web (2024)
Even worse than envisioned
Thankfully we decided not to see it in the theatre. This was terrible. Only CBM that are worse are The Spirit and Joker. Obviously no medical advisor was used. Having a BP of 79/59 and an O2 sat of 89 means your vitals are not anywhere near stable. You're also not stable after being resurrected like she said about that guy she was doing CPR on. It has literally one action sequence and that's the climax; which was poorly executed containing one of the most laughable scenes ever witnessed. When're ambulance comes rocketing through a building, falling 20 feet ( totally unscathed ) and manages to perfectly hit the villain and nothing else. As for that villain. Totally not menacing and instead of just snapping their neck he continues to just throw them around. Thankfully after deservedly doing badly at the B. O. we will never have to see a sequel with these potentially awful 3 superheroines. That's 2 back to back disaster movies for women superheroes ( The Marvels was almost as bad ). They need to do better jobs ( aka the excellent Wonder Woman ). This was the utter pits. Finally I was waiting for them to name the baby Peter but nope, didn't even get that. Such poor filmmaking for a big budget movie.
Mother of the Bride (2024)
Another rom com nightmare
After suffering through Anyone but You that was as unfunny as you can get we get another massively unfunny rom com. Brooke is brittle, overbearing, doesn't have any comedic chops and showing she's not a good actress. Was she ever? This was awful beyond belief. It's been years since I've seen a good rom com. Avoid at all costs. It gets one extra star for some of the locations. Made it halfway before I couldn't take anymore. I have to keep writing. If I could just keep one soul from seeing the travesty then I've done my due diligence. FF to the wedding and even that was awful and robotic. Whew made it.
Dark Matter (2024)
Counterpart was a ripoff of this book
I'm going to use the same inane illogic of some of these ignorant reviewers. The book Dark Matter came out before so Counterpart ( an immensely boring series where nothing happened ) must definitely be a ripoff of the book. BOOM!!! Anyway I actually read some of the book and unlike some of Crouch's other books I didn't like this one but of course shows and movies can sometimes be better than the source material. So far thats the case here. While slow paced the first two eps were not boring and somewhat engaging; mostly because of the two leads. As others have pointed out Apple shows tend to start meandering about with their stories. Essentially they're good movies turned into long winded shows. Although the book came first it is reminiscent of Constellation, Counterpart and the one with Josh Brolin on Amazon. None of those amounted to much. We shall see here if it goes the same route.