“Love Hurts” is directed by Jonathan Eusebio (300, The Fall Guy) and this is his directorial debut. The film stars Ke Huy Quan (Everything Everywhere All at Once, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom), Ariana DeBose (West Side Story, Wish), Daniel Wu (American Born Chinese, Into the Badlands), Mustafa Shakir (The Deuce, Luke Cage), Lio Tipton (Warm Bodies, Two Night Stand), Cam Gigandet (Reckless, The O.C.), Marshawn Lynch (Bottoms, Westworld), and Sean Astin (The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles). This film is about a realtor whose past comes back to haunt him when he receives a message from his former partner-in-crime.
Everyone loves a comeback story, although in the case of Ke Huy Quan, I am going to channel LL Cool JJ and say that he has been here for years. The reality is, whether we knew it or not, Ke Huy Quan has remained the slightest bit active behind the scenes leading up to his big return in front of the camera, “Everything Everywhere All at Once.” If it were not for the deserved success of that movie, chances are we would never get a film like “Love Hurts,” which I was looking forward to. It kind of had a mainstream, 2010s, 2020s-esque action flick feel that you would get out of a film like “John Wick” or “Nobody” with some twists and turns, but like those movies, the choreography and scenes looked stellar in the marketing.
As off and on as I am about “star power” in a movie, Ke Huy Quan is the reason why I watched “Love Hurts.” But how could he not be? The actor played a significant role in my favorite film of 2022, won an Oscar, and when he is not busy taking names, he is taking selfies with every star he can find. This is part of why I am disappointed to say that “Love Hurts” is not that great.
“Love Hurts” is not horrible, but if I have any real highlights for the film, they certainly would not be for the characters. Some could argue that since this is an action movie one does not always come for the characters, but the way I see things, the less engaged I am with the characters, the less engaged I am with the action. I will defend the action scenes from a technical perspective. I do not think there was a single bad sequence. In fact, there are a couple that I am still thinking about and find to be incredibly creative. But this film seems to be more concerned in showing off what its talent can do, as opposed to what its characters can do.
If you are seeing this movie solely for Ke Huy Quan, then he is probably not going to disappoint you. Other parts of the movie might, but I do not think Quan is going to be one of them. Not only does Quan solidify himself as a buttkicking action star with his role of Marvin Gable, but he is charismatic. He brings a unique energy to this genre of filmmaking. A lot of our modern action stars like Jason Statham, Keanu Reeves, and Liam Neeson tend to have this obviously masculine aura to them both in terms of the way they look and act on screen. Ke Huy Quan very much screams cute, but not cuddly. I think the movie was smart to make him a dedicated real estate agent. Even if his character was not hiding something underneath, I think Quan is a good fit to play someone working in that industry.
This is a movie that I cannot see myself revisiting in its entirety, but instead rewatching certain clips on YouTube. Because there are a couple cool scenes where we see Marvin Gable either trying to defend his award, or dodge some baddies while trying to keep a house together for example. The movie goes at a brisk pace, and with an 84 minute runtime, that should not be a shocker. For the most part, the film is simple and effective in terms of progressing the narrative. It is not a unique narrative. But does have a soft flair one does not typically find in these types of action movies. As the film continues, however, things get more convoluted, and therefore, unmemorable.
Also, Ariana DeBose is in this film, a great actress in her own right, but I am convinced she needs a new agent. Yes, she was fantastic in “West Side Story.” But just about everything afterwards was critically panned or unmemorable. Between “Argylle,” “Kraven the Hunter,” and now this… She is not on the hottest of streaks. Yes, I liked “Wish.” I stand by that opinion. Yes, I liked “I.S.S.,” but not a lot of people thought it was worth seeing considering it failed to make its budget back. As I am writing this paragraph, I forgot the name of her character. That is not the best of signs. Granted, I have also forgotten the names of characters for movies I enjoy, but I bring this up because you might as well just name this character “the love interest” or “the girl.” The movie could have fleshed out this character more and individualized her to a better degree. It does however do okay when it comes to establishing Ke Huy Quan’s infatuation with her, but sometimes the film tells such a concept when it really should just show it.
Interesting enough, for those who do want to know the name of DeBose’s character, that, my friends, is Rose. For the record, I know people named Rose, and I am aware it is not the most uncommon name. But that has to be on purpose. It reminds me of a theory my dad has about Cliff Booth in “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.” He thinks the character, who is accused of killing his spouse, has the last name Booth, just so the script can allow for someone else to refer to him as “John Wilkes Booth” in a scene.
The film is centered around Valentine’s Day, and this presents a potential problem for rewatchability in the same way I look at Christmas movies. I have nothing against watching “Fred Claus.” But I would not watch it outside of November or December. Unfortunately, “Love Hurts” is barely good enough for February. If you want a good Valentine’s Day-centric action movie, there is one already, and it is called “Deadpool.” Heck, it could even be a good watch around Christmas. Or literally any day of the year, it is perfect.
“Love Hurts” is the directorial debut from Jonathan Eusebio. I do not think he should automatically give up directing based on this one lackluster product. Although if he were to continue, I hope his sophomore outing is better than this. On the bright side, Eusebio at least has some credibility in the industry. He has shown his talents helping coordinate stunts and choreography in films like “The Fall Guy,” “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End,” and the first three “John Wick” installments. Some of this film’s strongest elements are the action scenes, and it comes as no surprise knowing who helped direct said scenes.
In the end, “Love Hurts” neither left me infatuated or brokenhearted. If anything, the movie is just okay. If you put the film on silent, I would still pay attention to the visuals. But as I said before, this movie packs a lot in it by the time it is over that I did not really care about the film’s substance. I would love to see Ke Huy Quan in more projects. I am glad he is voicing a character in the upcoming “Zootopia” sequel, but I would also be open to more live-action roles as well. I think he is talented and would not be a surprise if he puts another Oscar on his shelf in the future. However, I do not think anyone will be winning any Academy Awards for this film. I am going to give “Love Hurts” a 5/10.
“Love Hurts” is now playing in theaters. Tickets are available now.
Thanks for reading this review! My next reviews are going to be for “The Brutalist” and “I’m Still Here.” Stay tuned! If you want to see these reviews and more from Scene Before, follow the blog either with an email or WordPress account! Also, check out the official Facebook page! I want to know, did you see “Love Hurts?” What did you think about it? Or, who is an actor that has not done any work in a while that you think has a pretty good chance of making a comeback? Is there anyone you would like to see who has not been on screen in a while? Let me know down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!
“Paddington in Peru” is directed by Dougal Wilson and this is his feature film debut. The film stars Hugh Bonneville (The Monuments Men, Downton Abbey), Emily Mortimer (The Pink Panther, The Newsroom), Julie Waters (Mamma Mia!, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone), Jim Broadbent (Bridget Jones’s Diary, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince), Carla Tous (30 Coins, El hombre del saco), Olivia Colman (The Favourite, The Mitchells vs. the Machines), Antonio Banderas (Shrek 2, The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard), and Ben Whislaw (Skyfall, Fargo). This film is the third installment to the “Paddington” film franchise, where Ben Whislaw once again voices the title character. The film dives into Paddington’s adventurous journey to reunite with his Aunt Lucy, who now lives at the home for retired bears in Peru.
Two similar phrases I notice myself use sometimes as a film fan are “better than it should be” or “better than it has any right being.” Those two phrases very much apply to the current “Paddington” movies. Sure, these movies might appeal to kids, but just like I often say about Pixar titles, they are presented in such a way where they also have a lot for adults to enjoy. I watched both “Paddington” titles leading up to this one earlier this year. I have heard nothing but good things about both, and boy do they live up to the hype. Ben Whislaw adorably voices the lead role. The rest of the cast has perfect chemistry and all play their parts well. The atmosphere of these films do a great job at adding an enhanced otherworldliness to real life locations. The films somehow get you to buy that an animated bear lives with a large human family.
That said, I did maintain a notable nerve with “Paddington in Peru.” The director of the past couple movies, Paul King, is not in the chair this time around. Dougal Wilson is helming this project instead. As someone who is sometimes resistant to change, it was something lingering in my mind upon this film’s release. Thankfully, my nerves were rid of by the time the film got into gear because this film maintains the tone, atmosphere, and therapeutic nature of the previous “Paddington” installments. I did not know this was Wilson’s first film. But having seen it, I would love to see more from work from him. Heck, if he wanted to do a sequel to this movie, I would not be against it.
Is “Paddington in Peru” as good as the Paul King installments? No. It is a step down. But it is a step down in the same way that I see “Inside Out 2” as a step down from its predecessor. “Inside Out” is so masterfully made that whatever came after it had big shoes to fill. While “Inside Out 2” was good, it was nowhere near the level of the original. In fact, one similarity I will note between these sequels is that these latest films do not pack as much emotional weight as their predecessors. I will forever cherish the ending to “Paddington 2.” It has become a new favorite of mine because not only is it earned, but it almost broke me. There is nothing in this film as emotionally charging as that scene. This does not mean the film itself lacks emotion, it just does not have as much.
In addition to emotion, the film has laughs and adventure. This is a great watch for the entire family, but also maintains a balance between being overly mature and overly childish. Pardon the incoming bear pun, but when it comes to finding a balance for all audiences. The film is “just right.”
“Paddington in Peru” is a solid trilogy capper that understands its characters, its vibes, and successfully progresses the universe into a direction that is bigger than what came before. Bigger does not necessarily mean better in this case, but this film in terms of scope, sometimes feels more epic than the last two. At times, the film has an “Indiana Jones” feel. Not only because of the adventurous structure, but also likely because the film mainly takes place in the jungle. As a bonus, there is a scene involving a giant boulder.
One of the most crucial aspects many movies must balance is a sense of realism combined with suspension of disbelief. The “Paddington” movies do a great job at this, and this one is no exception. One example of this involves Olivia Colman’s character, the Reverend Mother, a happy go lucky, singing, guitar-playing nun who lives in the middle of the Peruvian Jungle. Unsurprisingly, Colman kills it here. She is so dynamic and hyperactive to the point where every scene of hers is a highlight. She makes you believe that someone as over the top like her can exist in a world much like ours.
Going back to what I said about change, turns out the director was not the only change behind the scenes. While Mary Brown (right) from the previous movies does return here, Sally Hawkins has been replaced with another actor, Emily Mortimer. While watching the film, I did not know Hawkins was replaced, but when I look at the two actors side by side I could barely see a difference. Mortimer maintains the welcoming, calm feel Hawkins previously brought to the role and gives a solid performance in her own right. I would love to watch all three of these movies back to back one day and see how these two performances compare as a whole. Although upon my first impression, I have no complaints regarding Emily Mortimer’s portrayal of Mary Brown.
That said, Hugh Bonneville does come back as Henry Brown (right center), and while I think his presence here is probably the weakest of the three movies, I still think Bonneville himself plays the role nicely. I am glad to see him come back. The film tends to dive into Henry’s risk aversion. I thought that was handled well and brought a decent load of conflict into the character’s path.
I see this franchise in the same way that I see some of my favorite sitcoms like “Seinfeld” or “The Big Bang Theory.” Story is arguably the most important aspect of any movie. But even if the story comes off as an afterthought, which for the record, it does not here, I would keep coming back to the “Paddington” movies just to hang out with the characters. Paddington himself is a bundle of joy. The supporting human characters are all likable. The antagonistic roles in this film are some of the best parts of the movie. I would watch a fourth “Paddington” film just to see where these characters go next. If you are under a lot of stress or you want to forget about the troubles of the world, the “Paddington” movies, including this one, are a solid option to pass the time.
The film also looks beautiful. This should not come as a major surprise considering a lot of it takes place in the Peruvian jungle, but the color palette, much like the last two films, has this slight homey gloss to it. Many of the river shots, the tree shots, and anything else related to the jungle environment are pleasing to the eyes. Erik Wilson, who shot the last two “Paddington” movies, comes back to shoot this one, and he follows up those two with another gorgeously framed spectacle.
Also, when the credits roll, do not get out of your chair. There is an extra scene. If you are familiar with these movies, it is a nice little addition that would be worth your time.
In the end, “Paddington in Peru” is the worst of the “Paddington” movies. But like the “Toy Story” franchise, even the weakest film, in my case the fourth one, is worth a watch. The film is a fine-looking, exquisitely presented, well-oiled machine of happiness. Feeling down? Watch this movie. I am not a doctor, but I watch a lot of movies. This is simply my professional advice. The film has the vibe of a glorified Saturday morning cartoon that also feels down to earth. I am looking forward to seeing what Dougal Wilson does next as a director. If “Paddington” continues, I will go to the cinema to support it. The franchise is 3 for 3 so far. I am going to give “Paddington in Peru” a 7/10.
“Paddington in Peru” is now playing in theaters everywhere. Tickets are available now.
Thanks for reading this review! My next reviews are going to be for “Love Hurts,” “The Brutalist,” and “I’m Still Here.” Stay tuned! If you want to see these reviews and more from Scene Before, follow the blog either with an email or WordPress account! Also, check out the official Facebook page! I want to know, did you see “Paddington in Peru?” What did you think about it? Or, which is your favorite of the “Paddington” movies? Let me know down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!
“Captain America: Brave New World” is directed by Julius Onah (The Cloverfield Paradox, Luce) and stars Anthony Mackie (Synchronic, Twisted Metal), Danny Ramirez (Top Gun: Maverick, The Gifted), Shira Haas (Bodies, Unorthodox), Carl Lumbly (Cagney & Lacey, M.A.N.T.I.S.), Xosha Roquemore (Precious, The Mindy Project), Giancarlo Esposito (The Mandalorian, Abigail), Liv Tyler (The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, Armageddon), Tim Blake Nelson (Watchmen, Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed), and Harrison Ford (Star Wars, Blade Runner). This is the 35th movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and it is about Sam Wilson, the new Captain America, as he investigates a conspiracy regarding President Thaddeus Ross.
It is that time again. Another Marvel movie is here. Many people will tell you that their interest in the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been on a decline since “Endgame.” Some are experiencing said decline faster than others… But I am here to tell you that Marvel has yet to let me down since that 2019 blockbuster came out. That is unless you count the TV side, which has had its hits like “WandaVision,” but if I were to be honest with you, “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” could have been better. I did not hate the show. In fact, for television, it seems as if no expense was spared in terms of the production. I just find it to be rather forgettable.
That said, “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” did have its moments. It was also a solid introduction to Anthony Mackie’s Sam as the new Captain America. I thought the way they went about handling that arc was engaging. It set up the character effectively for further stories to commence, including “Captain America: Brave New World.”
Regardless of how I felt watching “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier,” I was excited for “Captain America: Brave New World.” I thought the trailers did a good job at not giving a ton of information away, while also teasing highlights to look forward to. Plus, even if some people are fatigued by Marvel, there is no denying that it is in a zone right now between “Deadpool & Wolverine” on the film side and “Agatha All Along” on the TV side. Does “Captain America: Brave New World” continue this hot streak?
I hate to say it, but I think the movie side of the MCU has experienced its weakest installment in years. I am of the unpopular opinion that phase 4 had no bad movies in it. Not every film was a banger in the way that “Spider-Man: No Way Home” was, but I did not hate any of the phase 4 films from Marvel. I also think all the phase 5 movies are good. Yes, even “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.” Yes, even “The Marvels.” Both movies were big, explosive bursts of fun. “Captain America: Brave New World” on the other hand was missing the MCU magic.
I have referenced Martin Scorsese before when talking about comic book movies, but I think when it comes to his philosophy on the subgenre, “Captain America: Brave New World” honestly matches parts of it. While the film definitely has human characters expressing human emotions, the screenplay sometimes feels like it was written by artificial intelligence. I say this not only because the dialogue sounds stale and robotic, but also due to how this film essentially takes what has worked in previous films and shoved it into this one.
The film is definitely a “cinematic experience,” but it is cinematic in the sense that it has the scope of a theme park ride that offers very few genuine thrills. If this were Universal Orlando, this would be the equivalent to “Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon.” It is a timewaster full of connections that some people will probably understand right away but will just as likely fly over lots of people’s heads.
“Captain America: Brave New World” is marketed as a… well, “Captain America” movie. But kind of like how “Civil War” was also a mini “Avengers” film, this is also secretly a film that if you break it down, is a blink you’ll miss it sequel to another part of the MCU. One of the problems with the MCU I have addressed is that as the universe gets bigger, it makes it that much harder to keep up with all the material. And for those who did keep up, chances are some of those people will not retain every detail. There is a chance I would have enjoyed this movie more had I vividly remembered certain details from earlier in the MCU.
What makes this film the weakest the MCU given in years is perhaps the idea that it builds off of so much that has already been established to the point where it comes off more as a continuation than an original idea. You do not necessarily have to see “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” to understand this movie, but I think one can argue that viewers may appreciate this movie more if they watch that show. However, this movie is essentially a continuation of an MCU property that I am surprised is being brought back to the spotlight all these years later. Is this a good continuation? Not really. If anything, it adds to the overall convolution of this movie to the point where it almost lacks an identity. The MCU often receives complaints for how villains are handled in their projects, but at least in a lot of their projects, I can pinpoint who the big baddie usually is. That is not the case this time around.
Sometimes, “Brave New World” is a watered-down version of “The Winter Soldier.” The main characters may be different people this time around to some degree, but the main trio is structured similarly to that 2014 banger. The film emphasizes the presence of a new Falcon sidekick. We already met this sidekick on “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier,” but he has a much bigger presence this time around. That said, I am honestly not loving Danny Ramirez’s portrayal of Joaquin Torres. I have nothing against Ramirez, the actor. If anything, I am not a fan of the material he is given through the direction and the script. Going back to my distaste for the dialogue, this is especially noticeable with Joaquin. The character kind of reminds me of Tom Holland’s Spider-Man if you decided to remove his knack for humor. He is awkward, and sounds like he is giving off multiple variations of the same line over and over again, even if the next line is completely different from the last. The movie is likely going for a Batman & Robin vibe with its relationship. But if anything, Falcon sounds like a Robin parody.
“Captain America: Brave New World,” despite all the otherworldly shenanigans and science fiction elements, appears to be more grounded than some of the other recent MCU films. If there is one character that cartoonifies this film, it would probably be Joaquin. There are more installments in the cinematic universe to come, so hopefully, Joaquin gets some better material than this.
This film is led by Anthony Mackie, who has done an excellent job playing Sam Wilson through the MCU’s previous installments. I am glad to see him get his own movie after all this time. While I wish the film itself were better, the long wait pays off in spades in another regard, because Mackie dominates the screen. People talk about actors like Ryan Reynolds and Tom Cruise oozing movie star level charisma. While Anthony Mackie may not be a movie star to the degree those two actors are, I think he could have been in another life because he kills it as the lead.
One common complaint I hear about the MCU, not to mention comic book movies in general, is that they all tend to end the same way where you have this big battle where the effects are dialed up to an 11. Sometimes to the point where said effects lack any realism at all. I do not always mind these sorts of climaxes because you have to end the movie on a big note. That said, the big note in this case had something missing. This film’s climax in no way feels grand or exciting. In fact, when the climax draws to a close, I thought we were on the verge of something else happening. I thought there would be another big bad to worry about or a last minute twist. That is not what happens. The climax of this film, while it has one or two decent elements, was underwhelming. Part of it might as well be blamed on the marketing. There was a character in the marketing that had me convinced they would be a middling threat of some kind, but they turned out to be a bit bigger. That said, when the movie goes down, said character felt as middling of a threat as they were in the trailer.
I also hate to say this, but the special effects did not save this movie. This is something I have noticed quite a bit in some recent Marvel projects. While I cannot name a single MCU movie or show where every effect is bad, there are quite a few projects where some effects that are noticeably sub-par. “Thor: Love and Thunder” is a good example. Per usual, Thor’s lightning effects look great. There are some good fire effects. But if you take certain shots from the movie, like one of Heimdall’s son’s floating head, that is not up to the quality I would expect from a cinematic universe that has garnered praise for delivering one spectacle after another. This leads me to say that “Captain America: Brave New World” may have the weakest special effects I have seen in an MCU film. Not only is the CGI obvious at times, but distractingly so. It took me out of the movie. This complaint mostly pertains to the way the movie handles Sam Wilson’s Captain America suit, which is established at the start of the film to be made of highly advanced vibranium in perhaps the most expository way possible. Every time the movie highlights some piece of vibranium technology, it looks holographic. It looks so unrealistic. I hate to say that because vibranium is not a new concept to the MCU. Just go watch the “Black Panther” movies. I do not have humungous problems with the vibranium effects in those films. Though when it is applied to Sam’s suit, it is rather goofy-looking.
I understand that “Captain America” as a brand is heavily associated with the big screen. As a concept, it is one of the most prominent in the MCU. There is a reason why something like this movie, titled “Captain America” ended up in theaters, whereas “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier,” which is about previous supporting characters and sidekicks, went to Disney+. Although just because the name “Captain America” is cinema-friendly, does not mean the same is true for the product behind the name. When you break this movie down on selling points, it feels like something that should be put in theaters. The Captain America name, the star power of Harrison Ford, Red Hulk, select scenes being shot with digital IMAX cameras… But tonally, this movie comes off as a lame Disney+ series that got condensed into a two hour movie. Certain scenes and storylines feel rushed, underdeveloped, and poorly written. When I was talking to my friend as we were leaving this film, one of the first things I said to her in regards to my initial thoughts was that the movie “flies by.” One can see that as a compliment. But I think the movie took notes from “Spaceballs” and dialed itself into “ludacrous speed.” I love a good fast-paced movie. I can also say I was never completely bored by this film. But the film seems to end at a point that leaves me unsatisfied.
To no one’s surprise, there is extra material during the end credits of this film. Unfortunately though, or perhaps fortunately if you are in a rush to get home after the mediocrity of this film, there is not really anything exciting in the post-credits scene. I have seen some MCU products do a good job at teasing something new. This does not really do that. Instead of a tease, it is more of a reminder of something that I already thought would be coming. I guess if you are not familiar with the MCU this could be an okay credits scene. But this is one of the weaker ones I have seen in this cinematic universe.
In the end, “Captain America: Brave New World” is not up to the quality I expect from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. I do not expect every MCU film to be perfect, but I think it is safe to say that the timeline has spoiled me with one decent project after another. I was looking forward “Brave New World.” The trailers looked great. It had the ingredients for an intriguing watch. But the culmination of such a recipe left a bad taste in my mouth. I will not deny there are good things about the movie. The action, for the most part, is fun to watch. I particularly enjoyed seeing the shield move chaotically through the screen in multiple scenes. Anthony Mackie is an excellent lead. I would watch a fifth “Captain America” movie if he were the star. But between the bad special effects, unmemorable characters and story, bland at best dialogue, and underwhelming climax. The negatives stood out for me more than the positives. That is a sentiment I hate to use regarding any movie, but as a fan of the MCU, it particularly hurts saying that in this case. I am going to give “Captain America: Brave New World” a 5/10.
“Captain America: Brave New World” is now playing in theaters everywhere. Tickets are available now.
Thanks for reading this review! My next reviews are going to be for “Paddington in Peru” and “Love Hurts.” Stay tuned! If you want to see these reviews and more from Scene Before, follow the blog either with an email or WordPress account! Also, check out the official Facebook page! I want to know, did you see “Captain America: Brave New World?” What did you think about it? Or, in the spirit of negativity, what is your LEAST favorite Marvel movie since “Avengers: Endgame?” Let me know down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!
“One of Them Days” is directed by Lawrence Lamont and this is his first feature film. The movie stars Keke Palmer (Nope, Lightyear), SZA, and Katt Williams (Scary Movie 5, Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore). This film is about two roommates who must do anything and everything they can so they can pay their rent and continue living in their apartment.
As a moviegoer, I wholeheartedly welcome “One of Them Days” as a concept alone. With the growth of streaming and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the moviegoing space is in a dire need for more straight-up comedies. While not every comedy lands with me, it is a preferred genre of mine. These kinds of movies are fairly digestible and fun, even if they sometimes feel repetitive or try too hard to be over the top and raunchy just for the sake of being raunchy. That said, I was a little skeptical watching the marketing for “One of Them Days” each time it came on. At best, I found what was in front of me to be mildly funny. Thankfully, the movie itself has more than a few laughs. This film released in January, and as far as January movies go, this is quite good. It is hard to know if I will remember this film by the end of the year, but this is a movie that if I had my way, I could experience it in a sold out setting because I think it has enough decent humor to get an entire room cracking up.
If I had to choose my favorite things about “One of Them Days,” a few immediately come to mind. For starters, the pace of this film never slows down. The film is kind of like “Saturday Night” in a sense. It constantly reminds the audience of how much time our characters have left before certain doom. I would say this is probably less anxiety-inducing than “Saturday Night” though as our characters start their journey off with more time to waste. But the movie still has a looming countdown to something that could potentially change the course of our characters’ lives.
Another standout element that comes to mind? The actors. Everyone on screen genuinely looks like they are having a good time making something that could be considered mindless. While the film may look and sound mindless on its surface, it nevertheless does a good job at getting me to care about the characters as they deal with their problems. Keke Palmer and SZA play Dreux and Alyssa. The two are fairly grounded characters who also bridge a gap to where they match the film’s hyperactive, almost animated vibe. This is the latest film in which I have seen Keke Palmer, who is quickly becoming one of my favorite on-screen personalities. On top of her movies, I think she is a solid game show host as well on NBC’s “Password.” This film continues to prove why I want to see more work from her. As for SZA, I do not know enough about her, but this film definitely makes me want to know more.
I saw this movie with my mom, and we both agreed upon walking out that it is silly and ridiculous. In a way, one can say my expectations were met. But if you go on the Wikipedia page for “One of Them Days,” it says the film is in the “tragicomedy buddy” genre. In reality, I would say most, if not all comedy, comes from tragedy, hence the phrase “comedy equals tragedy plus time.” But sticking with the idea of tragedy, I also think this movie does a great job at interjecting drama, and none of it feels forced or tacked on. The main plot involving the rent money is one thing, but there is also a subplot where we see Dreux trying to get a job she has been working towards, and I felt the stakes as this subplot was unfolding. There is a great interview sequence where I cannot help but root for the character. There is so much more to this scene than one could expect. In fact, “more” is a word that could heavily apply to my experience watching this movie. This movie keeps putting more, and more, and more high stakes material into its narrative to the point where you continue to worry that the main duo will fail at accomplishing their goals.
While “One of Them Days” is not my favorite screenplay of all time, I will not deny that it is structured quite nicely. This movie keeps building one problematic scenario for our main duo after another, with each one as engaging as the last. At one moment, they are dealing with their rent money. At another, one of them is dealing with their career. At another, they are dealing with their literal lives. I do not think “One of Them Days” is perfect considering how I do not remember all the character’s names. Also, execution-wise, some of the dialogue was delivered in such a way where I could not digest all of it. While the film’s replay value is not as high for me as others, I think “One of Them Days” is not only worth watching again just for fun, but I think the film would absolutely benefit from a rewatch in case there are any jokes or lines I missed the first time around.
“One of Them Days” also delivers a surprisingly thrilling climax. For what I previously referred to as a straight-up comedy, this film is at times, rather deep. And it shows here. Because the film resolves itself in a way where everything makes sense, everything binds together, but it leaves our characters in positions that I may not have seen coming from the movie’s earliest moments. And on top of that, I would imagine the characters themselves happen to feel the same way.
I am not going to pretend that I am watching “One of Them Days” for the visual effects, but if I had one nitpick about the film, I will say that there is a scene where one character gets electrocuted and throughout the process, we see the most fake-looking, obviously CGI-ed electricity that could have possibly been brought to screen. Despite that, this movie is often grounded to the point where you buy the scenarios, even if they are a bit over the top. There are also moments that almost cross a line to where if they happened in real life, it would leave one responding to the moment saying, “You can’t make this stuff up!”. This film feels real because not only does it have relatable characters, but it does a good job at putting you in the mindsets of these characters to the point where you too are bewildered by the actions of other people.
In the end, “One of Them Days” definitely lives up to its title. It is crazy, briskly paced, and refuses to let its characters, and therefore the audience, breathe. Sometimes it is so bonkers to the point of potential convolution, but the movie also has enough laughs in it to make up for that. Keke Palmer and SZA are a fine leading duo. I thought their roles were well cast. Also, I have to shout out Rizi Timane, who is also a highlight as Uche the landlord. Same goes with Maude Apatow as Bethany, I thought she was adorably charismatic. I have seen better movies, not to mention better comedies, but “One of Them Days” is a good time at the movies and I am going to give it a 7/10.
“One of Them Days” is now playing in theaters. Tickets are available now.
Thanks for reading this review! My next review is going to be for the brand new MCU installment, “Captain America: Brave New World.” Stay tuned! If you want to see this review and more from Scene Before, follow the blog either with an email or WordPress account! Also, check out the official Facebook page! I want to know, did you see “One of Them Days?” What did you think about it? Or, what is your favorite comedy of the decade so far? Let me know down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!
“Love Me” is a feature-length directorial debut from Sam and Andy Zuchero and stars Kristen Stewart (Twilight, Spencer) and Steven Yeun (Minari, The Walking Dead) in a film where a buoy and a satellite form a relationship following the end of humanity.
“Love Me” is the last new release I saw in January, and if you have been keeping track, I have been lamenting this month as it was unfolding. Thankfully, the month so far has been a tad better than I expected. And by that I mean, still bad for movies, but not outright horrible. That said, the annual monthly dumpster fire for film is not over yet, we still have to determine whether “Love Me” will join the rejects of January, or the one shining light known as “The Colors Within.” That film honestly made me forget about the problems of the world for a little bit.
Thankfully, “Love Me” is worth seeing, and it is quite a thinker. This is a film that I liked while watching it, and continue to appreciate more after the car ride home.
Like many other films, “Love Me” is its comparisons. While “Love Me” is not entirely animated, I cannot help but compare this film at times to “Wall-E” and “The Wild Robot.” This film, like those, is set in the future, and primarily centers around artificially intelligent characters. It also highlights humanity’s resistance to maintaining the earth. Although unlike those films, our focus on human characters is never seen in the present, it is always in the past.
The film centers around two robots, a buoy sitting in the middle of earth’s waters, and a satellite up in space looking down on the planet. The two meet, with the buoy seeming to continuously maintain a sense of curiosity. The robot is asking questions about anything that comes to mind. She learns about life, humanity, the Internet, and it results in a very creative relationship, if you can call it that, between the two core characters.
The film stars Kristen Stewart and Steven Yeun. That said, if you are looking forward to seeing them physically, you may not see as much of their actual selves as you would expect.
That said, their physical selves do have a good amount of screentime, but they are not there from the beginning. They show up later on and serve the robots’ stories. Both of them do a good job in the film as this lovey dovey couple who have a vlog. The couple also serves as a foundation for the buoy’s desires to be human. The buoy gets an impression on what it is like to live as a human just by watching these two engage in certain activities. We see the buoy in a sense trying to simulate those activities through digital animation. The animation clearly does not look high-tech. It is not up to the level of Pixar if you want a cinematic example. If anything, it looks like it is out of a “Sims” game. That seems to be the artistic intention, but still.
Despite the seemingly intentional schlocky animation, I will not deny that the film is pleasing to the eye. The color palette is often dazzling, especially during the scenes where we see the buoy floating in the water. The film is often bright, well lit, and there are also several shots involving the sun that look particularly great.
The film very much highlights the joys of being human, while also recognizing that maybe we are not perfect. Sticking with the human characters, who we come to know as Deja and Liam, I notice that never once do they leave their home, nor do their simulated counterparts. It seems to highlight the shift humanity is experiencing right now with shopping, watching media, and the shrinkage of social lives. We seem to be getting more sheltered and less adventurous. We find out the couple’s “date night” vlog is literally just them staying home, cooking, and watching television. It is not to say that staying home cannot be considered a date night. But I am under the impression the film is suggesting that in the future, we will see a significant increase in date nights at home.
Going back to “Wall-E,” one thing that the film tries to convince its audience is that two robots can fall in love. In a way, “Love Me” seems to be the anti-”Wall-E.” Because it is very much about a flawed relationship. It shows the struggles two robots have with such a concept. Likely because they are not programmed to love in the way that it would come naturally to a human. They are programmed to do other things. If that’s the case, you almost have to suspend your disbelief when watching this film. That said, this story also falls in line with the idea of artificial intelligence’s continued evolution to the point where it could one day become more human than human. We see the film’s protagonist, who we come to know as Me, establish itself as a “lifeform,” even though we know the character was manufactured.
If I had to list any negatives during the movie, I would say that the story does take a bit of time to get into gear. I think if I had to name a weakest part of the film, it would be the first ten minutes or so. The film also kind of reminds me a bit of “Ron’s Gone Wrong” because the robot voices happen to be very repetitive. This is especially noticeable with the satellite. When the satellite, who we come to know as Iam, literally pronounced “I am,” says a certain word or phrase, it often sounds exactly the same as it does previously. Much like the movie’s digital animations that turned me off, this appears to be an artistic intention. It perhaps highlights how computerized the bot’s voice sounds, but it still got on my nerves a little bit.
Despite these negatives, I still recommend the movie. There is not a lot that has come out in January that I think you should rush out in see, but “Love Me” is definitely worth your time.
In the end, “Love Me” is a movie with a small cast, but a big impact. Not only is this a movie that I can see myself watching again, but there is a possibility that I will appreciate it to a greater degree the more times I watch it. It is a film that highlights what it means to be human, while also recognizing the issues we as a species are dealing with, and potentially creating. I have not heard a ton of word of mouth on this movie, so hopefully I can spread some for those checking this post out. I highly recommend “Love Me” and I am going to give it a 7/10.
“Love Me” is now playing in theaters. Tickets are available now.
Thanks for reading this review! My next review is going to be for “One of Them Days!” Stay tuned! But before we get to that, Scene Before is on the cusp of 800 posts, and I intend to celebrate with yet another look at my Blu-ray collection. I have been waiting to do this post for a long time. I am glad I am finally getting around to it once again. If you want to see these posts and more from Scene Before, follow the blog either with an email or WordPress account! Also, check out the official Facebook page! I want to know, did you see “Love Me?” What did you think about it? Or, given the theme of romance and with Valentine’s Day coming up, is there a movie that you plan to watch on Valentine’s Day this year? For me, every other year, I’ve been watching “Deadpool.” On top of coming out around the holiday, it is a solid love story with superb action scenes. Leave your comments down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!
“Dog Man” is directed by Peter Hastings, who also provides a few voices in the film, including the titular character. Joining him is a casting including Pete Davidson (The King of Staten Island, Big Time Adolescence), Lil Rel Howrey (The Carmichael Show, Get Out), Isla Fisher (Tag, Now You See Me), Poppy Liu (No Good Deed, Sunnyside), Stephen Root (Office Space, Finding Nemo), Billy Boyd (The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, Outlander), and Ricky Gervais (Night at the Museum, The Office). This film is set after an event so nonsensical it might just work… Sewing a dog’s head onto a man’s body so both sides can live on as a singular being. The film follows Dog Man’s mission to bring a halt to Petey the Cat’s desire to stop all do-gooders.
My interest in “Dog Man” was almost next to none. There was no way I saw myself paying my hard earned money to see something like this. The trailers barely did anything to motivate me to go see it. I enjoy a good animated flick, but there was nothing about “Dog Man” that made me think it would be worth my time. The humor did not seem to land with me. The general tone felt overly silly for my taste. That said, I ended up watching the film at a free screening a week before it came out. They say the best things in life are free right? Well, that is not always true. Because “Dog Man” is just okay.
“Dog Man” is the latest DreamWorks animated movie. I am rather fond of DreamWorks. I grew up watching several of their animated titles. In fact, I recently rewatched one of my childhood films, “Kung Fu Panda,” and found more layers to unpack from it that I probably did not realize were there when I was watching it for the first time at eight years old. Not every DreamWorks movie hits, but “Kung Fu Panda” packs a mighty punch. Similar to that movie, I can see kids watching “Dog Man” when they are young, revisiting it at a later age, and unpacking more of the film’s lessons. The problem is, I am wondering if they will enjoy the movie as much as they did when they were growing up. This film definitely has material that adults can appreciate, but I think the kids will end up latching onto this film more.
The film cleverly handles Dog Man’s communication. A lot of animated movies will personify animal characters, including dogs. Dog Man is an exception to the rule. Despite having man in his name, the communication style is strictly canine. He does not speak English. He only communicates through barks and howls. Sometimes it is a little over the top, but there are also times where it works. As for the character himself, he is a decently fleshed out center of the film. The story does a good job at meshing the personalities of the two characters we see during the first few minutes as they merge and become one.
You can kind of say this about other major studios too, but I feel like we are experiencing an era in DreamWorks history where each film delivers a different animation style than the previous one. Sure, “Kung Fu Panda 4” felt rather familiar to its predecessors. But if you look back at “The Bad Guys” or “The Wild Robot,” you would probably get a sense that you are looking at something that could only exist in its respective universe. Granted, those two properties are also based on books that have a distinctive style of their own. “Dog Man” is no exception. I saw one review that compared the animation style to “Captain Underpants,” another book series that also became a DreamWorks movie. Turns out, both book properties are by the same author, and “Dog Man” was originally teased in a “Captain Underpants” book. It only makes sense that the two productions look alike.
For the record, I did not watch the “Captain Underpants” movie. If I had to pinpoint something “Dog Man” reminds me of, and I do not know how many people would actually agree with me, the first thing that comes to mind is the “Backyard Sports” series of video games. Remember those? You had the animated characters with the crazy thin eyes? Every time I look at a character’s eyes in this film, I am convinced they were borrowed from a “Backyard Sports” game.
If you go into this movie expecting realism, you are going to be severely disappointed. I mean, come on. The movie is literally about what happens following the stitching of a dog and a man. The movie has a fast-paced, TikTok sort of style to it, to the point where just about every line of dialogue is incredibly piped up and quickly edited. It throws a lot of information in such a short runtime. The film does poke fun at certain tendencies we see in everyday life, especially from pets. We see Dog Man on the chase, completing his task, but he gets distracted by a squirrel. The main rivalry of the film is between a dog and a cat. The cat has a variety of evil plans to capture his rival, including the use of a vacuum cleaner. What is this, “Spaceballs?” The movie reminds me a bit of “The Mitchells vs. the Machines.” Because upon my first watch of both projects, I got the sense that there were so many blink you’ll miss it details to the point where you would have to watch the movie a second time to see what flew over your head. Thankfully, I understood the film’s basic plot, structure, and character motivations. It is not like the film is broken. The film is paced like “Run Lola Run” and contains perhaps a thousand times more instances of dialogue.
That said, even if I did have any interest in picking up on details I missed the first time, I simply do not see myself watching “Dog Man” again. The film is not for me. I do not have a lot of younger children in my social circles, but I have heard from people either in conversation or online that they know kids who love the books on which this film is based. Maybe they will enjoy the movie, but I am not sure how the film will age. The film has good lessons about being a role model and how some people emulate their parents, but it is surrounded by a visually obnoxious series of scenes that almost overwhelm the senses.
Speaking of details, that is also where the devil seems to lie. By that I mean, the devil probably came in and fiddled with them. Because there are parts of this film that are genuinely funny. In fact, there is one gag involving characters exchanging money that had me in stitches. It makes no sense but that is why it works. But going back to this film’s TikTok pace, that can most definitely apply to the humor as well. Forget a mile a minute, the humor in “Dog Man” flies at a kilometer per minute! Having so many jokes could be a good thing. Again, going back to “The Mitchells vs. the Machines,” that film had me laughing nonstop and uncontrollably. That is a film where if I watched it with the windows open, I would probably get a noise complaint from a neighbor. They would probably think I’m a madman. But in the case of “Dog Man,” the movie shoves so much comedy into its script that a lot of it inevitably fails to stick the landing.
The film also has a noticeable amount of news exposition. This is common in a lot of movies and television, but I will give credit to the news sequences in this film having a unique flair to them. Granted, they did add to the film’s overall obnoxiousness, but I will not deny that Isla Fisher does a good job in her role as Sarah Hatoff, a news reporter with tons of screentime.
In the end, “Dog Man” is just fine. I am not a dog person, and I am barely a people person. But I can say, as a movie person, this is as middle of the road as animation gets. There is nothing remotely offensive about “Dog Man.” At times it is undoubtedly creative, but the film ultimately prioritizes quantity over quality. This is particularly noticeable when it comes to comedy. Having a lot of jokes is great, but it is better when all of them land. A noticeable number of them did not do that for me. This is not my least favorite DreamWorks film, but I am still going to give “Dog Man” a 5/10.
“Dog Man” is now playing in theaters everywhere. Tickets are available now.
Thanks for reading this review! My next review is going to be for “Love Me,” the brand new sci-fi film starring Kristen Stewart and Steven Yeun. Stay tuned! If you want to see this review and more from Scene Before, follow the blog either with an email or WordPress account! Also, check out the official Facebook page! I want to know, did you see “Dog Man?” What did you think about it? Or, do you have any experience with the “Dog Man” books? Are they any good? Let me know down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!
“The Colors Within” is directed by Naoko Yamada (A Silent Voice: The Movie, K-On!) and stars Akari Takaishi (Watashi no Ichiban Saiakuna Tomodachi, Baby Assassins), Sayu Suzukawa (Cool Doji Danshi, Falling high school girl and Irresponsible teacher), Taisei Kido (First Love, Yuria-sensei no Akai Ito), and Yui Aragaki (Digimon Data Squad, Mixed Doubles). This film centers around a girl named Totsuko. She is in a band and can see the colors of other people.
January has been a very slow month for me in terms of movies. Granted, it is typically a slow month for movies in general. There really is not a lot coming out this month that caught my genuine interest. Although “The Colors Within” was an exception. The concept sounded rather intriguing, particularly in regards to how the movie seems to handle its protagonist. While the protagonist’s life could be ordinary, their extraordinary trait certainly stood out to me, particularly their ability to see color. Or, more accurately, to see color in a way that most people do not. I think that could make for not only an interesting story, but one that is visually inviting.
As expected, the animation style for “The Colors Within” is pleasant to the naked eye. Is it the best I have ever seen? No. However, it is still a style that pops and maintains a consistent bright palette to it. It is a welcoming look considering the movie, despite having occasional drama, always maintains a sense of lightheartedness. By the end of this movie, I left with a smile, and part of it may have been due to looking at something that appeared rather heavenly at times.
Color-wise, the movie tends to live up to its name, but I have to be frank. If I were to judge “The Colors Within” by its cover so to speak, I have to say that the concept at times feels gimmicky. When the movie tells its audience about its main character’s ability to see color, it sounds intriguing. But I feel like the movie minimizes its chances to show such an aspect in a visually stunning manner. Granted, I enjoyed seeing our main character use her unique trait as a point of inspiration in making music. In fact, if I had to name a favorite part of the movie, it would be getting to see a few artists coming together to get creative. “The Colors Within” reminds me of “Sing Sing,” which, spoiler, I think is a better movie. It is a movie about a bunch of people expressing themselves through art, and how art lets people forget their troubles. Again, going back to the animation of the film, I do think it looks nice. But I think the film’s animation barely enhances the story. Looking back, it barely feels different than if I were to see something more traditional within the anime medium. Does the film effectively convey the protagonist’s “power” so to speak? You could say that, yes. But it really does not add much to the overall experience if you ask me.
The film also features a list of original songs, all of which are at minimum, fun to listen to. There is one in particular that is repeated during the film that became rather catchy by the end. Also, as a piece of music, it was nice to see this one song evolve from a simple idea to something much bigger. It reminds me of some of my own projects. There was a short film that I created in college that I thought of based on one of my own weird interests. I made it with a couple other people who had their own ideas that they built on top of it. It was amazing to see this small idea develop. Seeing Totsuko brainstorm her own song and have it come to life kind of reminded me of the process of creating my own art.
This film mainly revolves around three main characters. Totsuko, Kimi, and Rui. The three come together to make music. I love seeing them all in the same room. Not only do they come off as genuine friends, but seeing them together allows each one to unleash the deepest part of themselves. That is when they are most honest about how they feel, what is going on in their lives. It allows for some of the film’s most emotionally hypnotic scenes. We find out not only do they enjoy making music, but how such a passion interferes with their personal lives.
We find out Rui loves making music, but his family expects him to become a doctor and take the next step in the family business. I think a good amount of people can relate to Rui’s dilemma. Rui seems so concerned with impressing his parents that he is having trouble accepting what he really wants to do. I am all the more invested in a character knowing not only is he having fun doing what he is doing, but he is feeling perhaps the freest he has felt in his life.
Kimi also has a problem where if she were to be honest about it, she could end up disappointing her own family. We find out Kimi dropped out of school and has yet to tell her grandmother about it. The film’s characters seem to share the commonality of holding something back, hiding their true thoughts, and maybe not being their full selves. When we see them make music however, that changes. We see them at their happiest, their liveliest. That happiness leaps off the screen to the point where I too am smiling.
To be real with you, while most of the movie revolves around Totsuko, I admittedly found myself latching more to the supporting characters in terms of their backstory. I found their presence to be more compelling. This is not to say Totsuko is a horribly written character. I do not hate her. Again, I think the “colors” aspect was not as well established as it could have been. It had potential, but I do not think all of it was unleashed properly. But I think Totsuko is a pleasant center to the film as she sees her two bandmates flesh themselves out.
In the end, “The Colors Within” is just plain fun. It took me awhile to take the anime medium seriously as someone who watches a lot of movies. While I never outright hated it, it was always hard to find a gateway to watching more of it. I am glad watching films like “Belle” a few years back have opened my eyes because it has allowed me to seek out great projects like this. If you are a creative individual, I highly recommend this film. I will be real, 2025 is off to a crazy start between the Los Angeles wildfires, the political division, the recent plane and helicopter collision in Washington, DC… I said earlier that this film highlights art’s abilities to make you forget your troubles. I think there is a case to be made that while “The Colors Within” will not make your problems in life disappear, they will be left in the background for sometime. I left this movie feeling giddy, and excited to watch it again at some point. I think some of you reading this review will feel the same way if you were to seek this movie out. I already watched this film in the Japanese language, and I am eager to check out the English dub when I get the chance. I am going to give “The Colors Within” a 7/10.
“The Colors Within” is now playing in theaters. Tickets are available now.
Thanks for reading this review! My next reviews are going to be for “Dog Man” and “Love Me.” Stay tuned! If you want to see these reviews and more from Scene Before, follow the blog either with an email or WordPress account! Also, check out the official Facebook page! I want to know, did you see “The Colors Within?” What did you think about it? Or, what is a movie that you enjoy about artistic expression? Let me know down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!
“The Damned” is directed by Thordur Palsson (The Valhalla Murders, Brothers) and stars Odessa Young (The Staircase, The Stand), Joe Cole (Green Room, Secret in Their Eyes), Siobhan Finneran (Downton Abbey, The Stranger), Rory McCann (Game of Thrones, Transformers: EarthSpark), Turlough Convery (Killing Eve, Sandition), Lewis Gribben (Somewhere Boy, Generation Z), Francis Magee (EastEnders, White Lines), and Mícheál Óg Lane (Ros na Rún, Calvary). This film is set in the 19th century and centers around a widow who must make a difficult choice when a foreign ship sinks near her Icelandic fishing village.
The first weekend of January always seems like a prime time for releasing a title that fits somewhere in the horror genre. “The Damned” is no exception. January, and also February for that matter, are also likely the months of the year where movies go to die. Sure, there are a ton of awards contenders in theaters, but many of them came out either in December, or sometime even before that. In terms of new releases, January and February are chock full of movies that are either hard to market or lack the quality of the titles they are competing against.
Last year, the big horror film that kicked things off was “Night Swim,” which I did see, and honestly wish I could unsee. But I will admit that the film at least had a clever concept, albeit one that becomes more absurd the more I think about it. For those who did not see the movie, it is about a family living in a house with a killer swimming pool in the backyard. “The Damned” seems to be more grounded on the other hand. Coincidentally, its main story also revolves around a body of water. After all, there is a shipwreck in the film that kicks things into gear. “The Damned” deals with faith, choice, and it is told at a bit of a slower pace, so if you are a bit drowsy while seeing this movie, I highly recommend drinking a caffeinated beverage. Trust me, I needed one. Because honestly, I almost tuned out of this film.
I do not mind a slow burn every once in a while. Just read my “Blade Runner” review to allow me to prove my point. But “The Damned” is one of those times where the word “slow” treads into a territory where it could definitely equate to being boring. The film noticeably takes its time to introduce a bunch of characters, and the actors may occasionally nail the personalities of these individuals, but I had trouble latching onto them as people in their current situation. Many of the supporting characters in this film kind of reminded me of the dwarves in “The Hobbit” at times. I do not hate them by any means, it is just that if you were to ask me to name all of them, chances are I would have a little trouble.
This film does an okay job at capturing atmosphere. Overall, “The Damned” reminds me of John Carpenter’s “The Thing.” Yes, that is the version of “The Thing” I am using in this case. I will admit, I have not seen any of the other ones. But I say this because both horror films are set in cold areas, have a decent sized ensemble, but at the same time, there is this enormous sense of tension looming over the cast.
I also want to comment on the film’s cinematography. There are parts of the film that look not just good, but great. “The Damned” is shot on location. The crew actually ended up shooting in Iceland, and all of the film’s scenery and backgrounds definitely dazzled on screen. There are also some interior scenes that are well lit, especially with fire in the background. Although there is one scene that I thought could have been handled better, and it pains me to say it because it is one that is kind of crucial to the overall story. It is a moment where we see most of the cast in the water searching for supplies, when all of sudden, things go wrong. There were times during this scene where I almost could not tell what was happening. I understand this scene takes place at night, but I do not think the camera flawlessly captured the actions the filmmakers were trying to show on screen.
The film also fulfills the most important task of any horror title, which is providing some decent scares. If you remember my review for “Nosferatu” I posted a few weeks ago, I noted that as unique as the film is in some ways, it nevertheless failed to scare me. I will admit, what “The Damned” sometimes lacks in flair, especially compared to “Nosferatu,” it makes up for in scares. The film is not the most terrifying I have seen in years, but there is plenty of disturbing imagery that I continue to think about. That kind of says something because the movie itself is rather forgettable, but for whatever reason, I remember finding it scary.
If you are like me and live in the United States, chances are you do not recognize most of the people in the cast. A lot of them have experience making content primarily seen by international audiences. But I will compliment the cast because even though I probably will not remember all their characters, I will praise them for their solid performances. There is not one portrayal I can think of I outright disliked. The standout of course is Odessa Young, who does a great job as the center of the movie. I bought her in every scene. Going back to what I said about the scares, seeing the film through her eyes enhanced said scares just a bit.
And as much as certain parts of the film continue to wither away from my brain, I do remember the ending being a standout. I will not spoil it, but it takes things into a bit of a different direction than I originally anticipated. It is a fitting conclusion to the film, and despite me sometimes tuning out, this part of the film is one of the closest instances I got to being on the edge of my seat.
In the end, “The Damned” is not a horrible movie, but I am in no way going to recommend that each and every one of you should see it. It is not offensive, but it also lacks an individual flavor. It definitely does not feel like something crapped out by a corporation. You can definitely see the artistry in this piece of work. But I do not know if it stuck the landing with me. There is good acting. There is good production value. But the pacing of this film, despite only being an hour and a half, made it feel longer than advertised. I wish I were more interested in the characters, and despite a lot of this film looking nice, I will note that one scene towards the beginning that really turned me off. Is the movie scary? At times, it is. But it is not quite nightmare. This movie is not going to have a ton of replay value for me. So despite the positives, I am going to give “The Damned” a 5/10.
“The Damned” is supposedly playing in no theaters at this point. The movie is not even a month old, so it is probably not the best sign for the movie’s staying power. But if you do want to watch “The Damned,” it is available to rent or buy on VOD.
Thanks for reading this review! My next reviews are going to be for a couple of animated films! From Japan, we have “The Colors Within,” which I just saw yesterday and cannot wait to talk about. And after that, you can expect my review for the Hollywood-produced DreamWorks film, “Dog Man.” The film is not out yet, I actually got to see it early. Therefore, I will leave my lips sealed on my thoughts related to it. If you want to see these reviews and more from Scene Before, follow the blog either with an email or WordPress account! Also, check out the official Facebook page! I want to know, did you see “The Damned?” What did you think about it? Or, with this being the first official 2025 release I am reviewing, even though it was also shown in 2024, what movies are you looking forward to seeing in 2025? My most anticipated film at this point is probably “Superman.” I have a feeling James Gunn is going to knock this film out of the park. Let me know your most anticipated film of the year down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!
“Maria” is directed by Pablo Larraín (Jackie, Spencer) and stars Angelina Jolie (Eternals, Kung Fu Panda), Pierfrancesco Favino (Night at the Museum, Angels & Demons), Alba Rohrwacher (The Wonders, Hungry Hearts), Haluk Bilginer (EastEnders, Halloween), and Kodi Smit-McPhee (Memoir of a Snail, X-Men: Apocalypse). This film is about opera singer Maria Callas, and is most prominently set during the week leading up to her death.
When it comes to film directors, if you were to ask me if I knew who Pablo Larraín was before this review, chances are I would say no. Although upon research after seeing this movie, it turns out, I have experienced his previous filmography. For the record, this is my first film of his I am reviewing. More than a year ago I watched “Jackie,” which I thought had stunning production design, killer camerawork, costuming, and a great lead performance by Natalie Portman. I ended up enjoying the film overall. Is it a masterpiece? No. But it is a compelling watch that I recommend checking out if the chance comes by. It also turns out that “Maria” is part of an unofficial trilogy. This is Pablo Larraín’s third film regarding notable 20th century women. 2016’s “Jackie” was the first, followed by 2021’s “Spencer,” which for the record, I did not see, and now “Maria.”
Having seen both “Maria” and “Jackie,” I can confirm that they contain similar positives. Both feature talented leads who give really good performances. The dialogue is particularly well executed and properly placed. There is not a line in the film that comes to mind that feels like filler. The sets and locations in both films feel noticeably extravagant. If I have one thing to say, I personally prefer the overall look to “Jackie” to “Maria.” The color choices between the on-set items feel more rugged and have more character, whereas I look at “Maria” and somehow the frames continuously emit a greater sense of perfection. It is almost to the point where some of the set design feels oddly artificial. But if I am going to remember one of these films within the next year, I think “Jackie” is the one. I recall it having more of an impact on me by the end than this film did. I am not going to pretend I remember that movie through and through, but whereas “Jackie” drew me in through its flair, “Maria” feels like a borderline snoozefest at times.
Despite what I said about the look though, there is no doubt that “Maria” at least provides a sense of immersion. Between the detailed costumes, excessive use of wallpaper, and extravagant sets, the film is easy on the eye, even if some of it looks somewhat unreal.
There is a good movie somewhere in “Maria,” but it is not doing the best job at unveiling itself. “Maria” feels less like a story and more like a series of events that are loosely connected together. It all amounts to a bit of a bore. As I write this review, I am having trouble naming what I found to be the best parts of the film. The events in this film are all wound properly and maintain a sense of consistency, but I am not going to pretend I was moved or compelled by all of them.
The one thing that is saving these moments are the performances. Angelina Jolie, again, does a good job with the lead role, though I am disappointed to know that a lot of her singing scenes were lip-synced. Her most prominent moments are simply driven through spoken dialogue. That is weird to say because this film has a pace to it where the dialogue is used rather sparingly. Interesting enough, this film is about an opera singer, and I would say that there is a bit less singing in this film than I probably expected going in. If you are looking for singing in this film, it exists. But if you take into consideration what this film is actually about, a woman who is essentially losing the ability to sing, then it would not be a surprise to realize that this film is not a a marathon of vocals.
I also liked a lot of the supporting performances. Haluk Bilginer does a good job as Callas’ partner, Aristotle Onassis. Pierfrancesco Favino is a standout as Callas’ servant, Ferruccio. That character plays a major part in the film despite the greatest highlight of his performance likely extends to him just being in the room.
This film is not a typical biopic as much as it is a short series of events with tons of flashbacks. The film does have some elements one might expect out of a biopic. A summary of a star’s success, an emphasis on the same star’s downward spiral, and a highlight into the star’s substance abuse. We see Callas taking drugs during the film and how it affects her down the road. What separates this biopic is not only its contained feel, as it primarily treks itself through a specific time period, but also a noticeable use of flashbacks. If you are not into non-linear stories, this film may not be for you. That said, the way this film is told, I would argue it would be worse if it were linear. That kind of says something though because the film as is failed to impress me.
If I have any other notable highlights I have not gone over yet, there is one scene that stuck with me because of how much it makes me think about our ongoing celebrity culture. There is one scene where Maria is in public and someone comes up to her that he was going to her show, but she never showed up. At this point, Maria firmly tells him she was sick. Looking back, maybe she was a bit harsh in her response to this individual. But I think it also taps into something I think we often forget about as a society. We expect so much from celebrities to the point where we forget that they are human beings. Some debate as to whether stars are just like us. But if there is a way they are like us, it is through the idea that stars are not perfect.
There is also a little Easter Egg in this film for those paying attention. As mentioned in the beginning, this film is from the same director who did “Jackie,” which is about Jackie Kennedy. Turns out this film has a rather noticeable Kennedy connection. You will know it when you see it.
In the end, “Maria” is a film that I could see being a highlight in certain aspects during this awards season, but it is not perfect. It is a film that I am probably going to forget by next year. I expect that from a Netflix title to be frank, but for something like this, this feels shocking to say. Angelina Jolie definitely carries star power in the lead role, but it is not the best performance I have seen in a 2024 film. If you want something pretty, this film will do. But if you are looking for something memorable, look elsewhere. I am going to give “Maria” a 5/10.
“Maria” is now playing in select theaters and is available to stream on Netflix for all subscribers.
Thanks for reading this review! My next review is going to be for the brand new horror film, “The Damned!” Stay tuned! If you want to see this review and more from Scene Before, follow the blog either with an email or WordPress account! Also, check out the official Facebook page! I want to know, did you see “Maria?” What did you think about it? Or, what are your thoughts on Maria Callas as an artist? Let me know down below! Scene before is your click to the flicks!
Hey everyone, Jack Drees here! After a long series of lists, we are getting to the end! And we are closing things off with a bang! After the worst movies of 2024, the best movies of 2024, and the worst movies so far to come out in the 2020s, we are capping things off with a look back the best movies of the 2020s. That is, up until the end of 2024. Same rules apply here as the worst of the decade list. First off, I have to have seen the movie. Obviously. Second, our lists are likely not going to be the same. If you have a movie that is not on here, make your own list. Third, all the films have to be theatrical releases. Fourth, with this being a bit of a halftime report, I have decided that I am not going to list these films in order from least favorite to most favorite, or the other way around. Instead, I am going in alphabetical order. If I keep updating Scene Before up until 2030, I might unleash something with a little more pomp and circumstance, kind of like my top movies of the 2010s series I did when this current decade began. Just like my worst of the 2020s list, there will be no honorable mentions. We are diving straight into my 10 faves. These are my 10 BEST movies of the first half of the 2020s.
Starting off this list is “Belle!” Just a spoiler alert, I reviewed most of the movies on this list, and each one I talked about earned a perfect score. That is unless you technically count this movie, which I gave an 8/10. But with this film’s everlasting replay value, stunning animation, great voicework, fantastic score and soundtrack, I would instantaneously change my mind on the verdict if I were to redo my review today. It would definitely be a 10. I love “Belle” not only because it is an entertaining film about a young girl who becomes a popular online singer, but it is a story that the more I think about it, I would have needed at some point in my life when I was younger. Because I will admit straight up when I got started on social media, I cared so deeply about how many followers I would get. How popular I could become. I did not know this about myself at the time. But I simply wanted attention. This movie would have been a great reminder to just be me, perhaps be grateful to make some friends, and maybe I would be more satisfied with myself when I was online. Even though this film does tap into the negatives of social media behavior such as bullying or not thinking before you post, it has a refreshingly positive lean on the concept. It is a movie that by the end of it, sees our hero not only helping herself get through her own problems, but also being there for people who are impacted by her and need her at a time of great distress. I love Suzu as a protagonist. The Beast is a fascinating character responsible for spawning a compelling mystery. Justin is a great interpretation of an Internet troll. Also, genuinely, “A Million Miles Away” is one of my favorite songs. Not just in movies, but in the history of ever. It is that good.
Speaking of movies with great protagonists, let’s talk about “CODA.” I experienced “CODA” in the cinema a little more than a week after it won its three Academy Awards, including Best Picture. The film is honestly one of my all time favorite coming of age stories, containing likable characters and a compelling narrative. Is it cliche at times? Sure. Can you predict one or two story beats from a mile away? Perhaps. But it does not change the fact that I was engaged with this from the moment it began to the emotionally satisfying conclusion. The concept proves itself to be very intriguing. The film is not just a great look at the life of a child of deaf adults, hence the title. But on top of that, this child is heavily into music, something that her parents cannot fully experience. The execution of this concept is beautiful, phenomenally edited, and done in such a way where you root for the protagonist but you understand every single side once you are presented with the full picture. This is also a film that is surprisingly funny, and its successful attempts at humor result in perhaps one of the most unique film experiences I had in a theatre. Because this film gets so quiet at times, then all of a sudden, you hear an audience bursting out laughing. It is a fine example of polar opposites attracting themselves to each other so perfectly.
Out of all the movies on this list, this is the only one I saw in the theater three times. “Everything Everywhere All at Once” is one of the wildest rides I ever took in my life. While some might shame me for going with a mainstream title, I cannot tell a lie. This is my favorite film from A24. I cannot fathom how much work went into the performances of this film. All of these actors have to play different variants of the same character, and sometimes embody those variants in one version of the character. The film gets weirder as it goes, and equally as entertaining. I watched this film long before it won Best Picture at the Academy Awards, and I was ecstatic when it won. This film is as the title says, everything. It is a comedy. It has elements of sci-fi and fantasy. It is an action flick. By the end, it becomes a tear-jerking drama. This is a movie where in one moment Ke Huy Quan takes a bunch of people out with a fanny pack, and then in another, we see our main character learn pinky finger kung fu, and then in another, we have a simple moment where said main character tries to make things right with her daughter. The multiverse is a common tool used throughout this decade of cinema, particularly in comic book films. But if there is a film that does it best, it is the refreshingly original and zany “Everything Everywhere All at Once.”
Even after watching this movie, I still have not exposed myself to any of the other material this franchise has to offer, but it does not change how much I adored “The First Slam Dunk” when I saw it in the cinema. When I walked out of this movie, one of my first thoughts was that this was the best sports-related film I have seen in a long time. This film powers itself to the max with incredibly fast-moving animation and basketball sequences. The sound design is also crazy good. There was a simple moment at the beginning of the film that honestly reminded me of playing basketball across the street from my house when I was eight, nine years old. It really took me back. This film is a non-linear narrative that is done very well, but at always harkens back to one important game that by the end of it, becomes a nail-biter. This film has one of my favorite slow motion sequences in the history of cinema. If you have seen the movie you probably know exactly what I am talking about.
When this movie ended, in addition to applauding the efforts of the cast and crew, I simply asked myself, “THAT was a ‘Godzilla’ movie?” I could not believe a movie “Godzilla Minus One” actually exists. I am not going to pretend this is the first serious “Godzilla” movie. Heck, if you look back at the original 1954 “Godzilla” film, you would know the film is an allegory regarding the dangers of nuclear weapons. Similarly, this 2023 highlights how little we as human beings sometimes tend to value life. The film is about a kamikaze pilot who fled his duty and is dealing with survivor’s guilt. Throughout he meets a girl, and the two end up raising a kid that is not theirs, but it ended up in their hands. The chemistry between all three of these people is magical. Is the film a bit predictable? You can say that. But you can also say that these predictable moments were earned. As much as I love the spectacle of Warner Brothers’ current MonsterVerse, Toho’s “Godzilla Minus One” has that in addition to great characters who I rooted for the entire time. Also, the ending, whether it makes sense or not, gets me teary-eyed just thinking about it. I hear a sequel to this film is in development and I could not be happier. I will be first in line to check it out when possible.
The Mitchells vs. the Machines (2021)
When it comes to modern animated movies, I often cite Pixar as the gold standard. But it does not mean other studios are incapable of unleashing something magical. Case in point, Sony Pictures Animation’s “The Mitchells vs. the Machines.” I laughed so hard the first time I watched this movie. It is hard to find an animation that does not have attempts at comedy. In fact, a lot of the times I watch animated movies, I usually end up appreciating the humor. That said, this is probably the hardest I laughed at an animated film since “The LEGO Movie,” and I do not think I have laughed as hard watching an animated film since. The film goes above and beyond funny lines and visuals, there are also some creative gags that broke my brain. There are some blink you’ll miss it Easter Eggs in the background that make me want to watch this movie several times in a row just to see what other minor details I can find. I mean, the film literally has a character whose online handle is “Jade_Runner2049.” Gosh, I love this movie. I also love this film’s approach to the villains. Like a lot of other sci-fi concepts, artificial intelligence is the big bad. But this movie in particular does a great job at matching the tone of our modern world with some enhancements. This film is not just hilarious, but also becomes very heartfelt towards the end.
Like many people, I thought 2020 was an outright atrocious year. The movies honestly did not save it. That said, the year also gave me one of my most pleasant surprises throughout my years of moviegoing. Netflix’s “Over the Moon” made me break down in tears by the time the film was coming to an end. Kind of like “Belle,” this is a film I really would have loved to have in my life when I was younger. Throughout a good portion of my coming of age, I grew up with one parent in the household. Granted, I do not envy the reason why this film’s protagonist deals with such a situation. My parents separated whereas her mother literally died minutes into the runtime. Even so, this film deals with a scenario I ended up seeing in my own life, particularly the moment when the protagonist’s single parent starts dating. This film heavily reminded me of what it was like to meet a potential replacement for my own parent and having my household overwhelmingly expand. On top of all of this, the film is a fun, colorful, clever space adventure with some really good original songs. Steven Price’s score is also a banger. Again, this is a Netflix movie which came out in 2020, so not many people saw this in theaters. I was one of the lucky few. If I could watch it in a theater a second time, I will take that chance in a heartbeat because it delivers on style, spectacle, and emotion.
Here we have another animated film! I have come to notice that there are at least one or two animations per year that I think are not just good, but epic. That said, calling “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” epic is kind of an understatement. I have a couple drawbacks with the film. For the most part, it is setup. This is a part one and refuses to hide it. That said, I thought the execution of each one of the film’s elements resulted in something amazing. The film has several animation styles, each one as creative as the last. The action sequences are super fun to watch and are perhaps some of the most comic book-like I have seen in one of these films. The voice cast is not just good, I cannot see anyone else in some of these roles. Shameik Moore is a phenomenal choice to play Miles Morales. Oscar Isaac is perfect as Miguel O’Hara. Karan Soni is an utter riot as Spider-Man India. But perhaps my favorite of these voices is Hailee Steinfeld as Spider-Gwen. She has this wondrous yet relatable presence to her. Hearing her voice in this film makes me want to watch an IMAX documentary where she narrates about space. The score for this film is so lively and heart-pumping that even when I watch the film at home, I feel like I am in the middle of a concert. We are supposed to get a followup to this movie at some point, “Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse.” As the days go by I sense the chances of that film coming out are becoming increasingly unlikely. Although if that movie ends up releasing and is as good as these last two, then the “Spider-Verse” movies will have to be in the discussion as one of the greatest cinematic trilogies ever.
What I am about to say will probably vary based on who you ask, but I thought 2021 was a very good year for comic book movies. “Eternals” was a glorious vision from Chloe Zhao. “Spider-Man: No Way Home” is a cinematic event that celebrates several generations of the titular character. But my favorite comic book movie of 2021 is the only one we got from DC, “The Suicide Squad.” The film is from “Guardians of the Galaxy” director James Gunn, and much like “Guardians of the Galaxy,” this movie left me in stitches. I was laughing like an utter maniac at certain parts of the film. But also like “Guardians of the Galaxy,” the film is not short on heart. Despite his simple-minded nature, the film does a great job fleshing out King Shark, a giant fish who wears trunks and wants nothing except to have friends. Of course, returning characters like Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn and Joel Kinnaman’s Rick Flagg also steal various scenes. This is also a film where I would say John Cena, who has a knack for comedy, got to cut his teeth with some more serious material as Peacemaker. Sure, he also did 2017’s “The Wall,” but who cares about that? This film showed Cena’s range as an actor, and I am glad he got to continue playing Peacemaker in his own Max series. This film is a factory of nonsensical wonder. At one moment you have me rooting for a guy whose superpower is spewing polka dots. At another, I am laughing my brains out as a series of characters wonder who the heck “Milton” is. Then in another, I am cheering as Amanda Waller gets what she deserves. Then in another, I am almost tearing up as an army of rats make their way towards a giant kaiju who was just happy staring at the stars. The film is capable of unleashing every emotion ever conceived. I am not in love with every James Gunn comic book movie. I think “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” is not that great. But if there is any reason why I should be excited for “Superman” this year, it is because of Gunn’s impressive resume that contains epic wins like this one.
If you look at some of my opinions regarding the past year for film, you might think I loathe every musical ever made. Although I am hopeful that the number of times I use the 2021 adaptation of “West Side Story” as a positive in my reviews have lessened those assumptions to some degree. I am not a theater nerd. I have never seen a Broadway show. Nevertheless, this film practically put me on a Broadway stage through its large cast, magnificent setpieces, and bombastic numbers. This is also the film that introduced me to two actresses whose careers I remain quite optimistic about, Rachel Zegler and Ariana DeBose. Both can sing like there is no tomorrow and just so happen to be perfectly cast in their roles. As much as the 2022 Oscars has unfortunately been scarred with the slap incident between Will Smith and Chris Rock, I must acknowledge that a lot of the winners that year were deserving of their hardware, including DeBose. The film is mostly spoken in English, though there are a couple instances where the characters are speaking in Spanish. Despite there being no subtitles for the Spanish dialogue, the characters’ conversations were still able to hit me based on Spielberg’s direction of the scene and proper use of tone. Not a lot of people saw this movie when it came out, and if the reason is because of Ansel Elgort’s sexual assault allegation, I cannot blame those people. But trust me when I say this movie solidifies Steven Spielberg as one of the best directors working today, even at his age. He is not only capable of taking on any genre or medium he can, but in some cases, he essentially perfects those genres and mediums. I have no idea how many more directorial efforts Spielberg has up his sleeve, but if we get another one as exciting as this, I am going to be blown away.
Thanks for reading this list! With four separate rankings out of the way, I think we are good to get 2025 into gear. Although like other years, it is possible that I could slip in a review of a 2024 movie. I still have not seen “The Brutalist.” I still not have seen “Emilia Pérez.” I still have not seen “Nickel Boys.” Maybe I will review one of those movies next, or perhaps even one from this year! If you want to see more from Scene Before, follow the blog either with an email or WordPress account! Also, check out the official Facebook page! I want to know, what are your best movies of the 2020s so far? Do we have anything in common? Did I miss something? Let me know your picks down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!
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