reelvibes91

[reelvibes91]

Does 28 Weeks Later live up to the Hype?

28 Weeks Later was an inevitable sequel after 28 Days Later became such a talked about horror movie. It had very high expectations at the time as 28 Days Later was one of the most talked about films during that era. Weeks does go for a more simple approach to what the story would naturally become.

The opening sequence of Weeks is just as good if not better. It showcases the length and depth of the fear people were feeling during the early days. It also shows us that once desperation sinks in we begin to make selfish decisions that no longer serve the greater good.

We then take a leap forward. 6 months have passed since the events of the first film, and Britian is believed to be safe. As we know with horror is never true, and a new threat is always lurking. This one played to a traditional genre trope of a character being immune but a carrier none the less.

That conventional approach is cliché but it does provide the necessary steps to create the story. We see the infected have begun to adapt as well, which was interesting.

In terms of actors this time around we get much more recognizable faces such as Jeremy Renner and Rose Byrne. Both serve ad US military members aiding the reintegration of the British populus and the clean up effors. Byrne plays the Chief Medical Officer while Renner stars as a regular US Sniper. When naturally things don't go according to plan all hell breaks loose again, leaving the streets of London the massive playground yet again.

28 Weeks Later is much larger in scale in terms of how it represents the larger picture. We are shown the efforts to recreate the normalcy Britain once felt. While that works for the most part, it does somewhat begin to feel like the events our survivors survive are a bit too over the top. It's not a bad movie by any means. It just took what was a simple and effective story and amplified times 100. There will always be elements of that that work and elements that need to be shoehorned in to move things forward.

It felt like the concepts present here could have been better fleshed out in miniseries. It seemed like they had a lot of genuinely cool ideas. It also felt like to keep the run time fresh, they rushed a lot of the more important moments the film needed to convey. Some of the films later action sequences are hard to follow due to the lighting and design of the sequence. It could have in a miniseries been given longer time to truly create a more intense atmosphere. All in all though if you enjoyed 28 Days Later there is plenty to still attach yourself too with 28 Weeks Later.

[reelvibes91]

Sinners combines multiple genres to absolute perfection!

Earlier this year, Ryan Coogler's first original film Sinners was released to smashing critical and audience approval. It did extremely well at the box office and word of mouth felt like it was overwhelmingly positive. Is the film as good as everyone keeps saying it is?

Let's start with what works. Of course the acting and the cast are the films selling point. Michael B. Jordan immediately commands your attention as 2 different characters. Smoke and Stack are very great nicknames for twins. Jordan adds enough flare to both of them to keep the personalities different through out the film.

On top of Jordan's phenomenal presence, Hailee Steinfeld was an absolute scene stealer. Her characters unbashed dialogue provided a sense of direction and history among the lead characters. It was mostly done via dialogue, and it was well timed. Her seductive dialogue helped provide a context for the films latter desire of immortality vs. a natural life. Steinfeld was absolutely brilliant, and just like Jordan showcased, just how much power comes from crafting a personality.

It is arguable the film takes a while to get going into the heart of the plot but that is to establish a tone. It helps you invest in where these characters have come from and what their current intentions are moving forward. Then, of course, all hell breaks loose, and we go full-on horror mode in the second and third act.

Music was also a key part of this films plot as was temptation and leading a life full of sin. Hence the title Sinners and the lifestyle choices made by the Twins and various other characters. The theme of the devil chasing you is always present, even in the films, more tender moments. Even the life of immortality comes with conditions.

Without spoiling too much, there is a scene that truly depicts a mortal life vs. a life well led. It's a truly powerful scene that creates an understanding of the films climactic moment. It adds humanity to a situation that was otherwise devoid of it. That's the genius of Ryan Coogler. His ability to weave a vampire subplot into a Gangster flick and still give the films final moments the tenderness it deserves. Truly great stuff.

[reelvibes91]

28 Days Later is still a classic!

During the early 2000s, there was a monster craze that featured a lot of movies about zombies and other various creatures. None captivated audiences more than 28 Days Later. Now over 2 decades later the series is poised to release the latest sequel but one question entered my mind. How does 28 Days hold up now?

Honestly, it is still a good film but a bit more of a slow burn than I originally remember it being. That's not a bad thing, but it does linger a little too long on the isolated shots of London. It takes a while to establish the core foundation of what transpired. It does give us a lot of cool shots of Cillian Murphy aimlessly walking through the London landmarks.

Speaking of Murphy, he has obviously come a long way since this movie, but this still remains a solid performance from him. His early mannerisms of shock and awe compared to his more feral attitude in the third act is a brilliant characterization of how quickly the world crumbles.

There is one thing that stood out that bothered me. The blantant Pepsi product placement throughout the apocalyptic setting just took me out at times. As it always does during a film of this nature. It just looks overt. In a case like this that obvious placement likely helped secure funding for the film, so it is forgivable. It does just draw the eye away from the tension and onto the product.

In terms of the overall story it is very simplistic in nature but it works. A virus is released from a containment facility and over runs London within 28 Days. Easy. Simple. Effective enough to draw a story out of it that creates a lot of psychological tension and drama. The infected are used sparingly to help intensify the interpersonal struggle within these characters.

Back in the day, this felt like a game-changing film. It still holds that. It changes the conception that horror has to be cheesy. It challenges the quo that our heroes have to do good things. It showcases just how easily people become what they never think they could be. It's as much a character study as an outright horror film. Especially during the films third act. The lighting and effects are out in full force to highlight the tension that has been growing since Jim opened his eyes in the early going. That's why the slowburn beginning works. You see just how far bumbling and vulnerable Jim has come and how far he is willing to go. That's horror at its finest.

[reelvibes91]

Hunter Shafer as Zelda?

There has been a lot of news surrounding the potential casting for Nintendo's live action version of The Legend of Zelda. You can hand pick any actress currently working as fitting the princess archetype. When you cast the net in terms of who looks the part, one name stands above the rest. Hunter Shafer.

Known primarily for her role alongside Zendaya in Euphoria, Shafer has carved out a path for herself in the industry. More recently, Shafer can be seen in films like The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and Cuckoo.

When you look at an image of this nature, it almost seems like Nintendo would be foolish not to offer Shafer the role. She is absolutely fitting to play the part in the looks department and has also shown enough range to be able to pull off the role. Shafer is also only 26 years old, so she could easily play the role for 10-15 years without aging out.

While, of course, Shafer is not the only option on the table, her name should definitely be among the top. I hope Nintendo is able to bypass a lot of the noise on the internet and choose Shafer if she knocks it out of the park during auditions. Screen test with other choices for other roles, and if Shafer develops the chemistry, then put the plan in motion to lock down one of the most coveted roles of all time.

[reelvibes91]

The Last of Us- Day One

Absolutely, this is the episode The Last of Us needed to finally move the plot along. The first three episodes of the season definitely dragged out. This finally provided us multiple reasons to stick out the season and to feel like the story is moving.

Whenever any fanbase has to keep telling others, just wait, the action is coming, then you know it is slow. That goes for anything. Story telling can lack action, but the needle needs to move. Yes, that is a Seattle pun for anyone taking note.

This episode was the best for many reasons. We get to see who the real threats are going to be and why this is going to present a challenge for Ellie and Dina. We needed this obstacle to create more tension. This is the first time this season it feels the story is flowing from episode to episode.

We finally have side characters that feel like a threat as well. While we knew Abby was a threat, we all knew it was for a very specific reason. This is the first time really throughout the entire series outside of the season one finale that we get a glimpse at the larger world. It is much needed at this point.

Jeffrey Wrights Issac definitely feels like a character to keep your eyes on. Wright is a scene stealer in almost all his projects, and this episode was no different. Issac is a man who gets the truth and definitely is not afraid to get his hands dirty. His presence brings that uneasy feeling now that the scope of what could happen is much larger.

The isolated relationship between Ellie and Joel was enough to create the world. Now, we need to see that world expand without Joel. We see Dina and Ellie become closer as Dina reveals her big secret in this episode. We needed the action to create peril and grow them closer in a world with so many threats. Now that we finally have that, this show feels like the wheels are no longer just spinning, but the car is actually moving.

[reelvibes91]

Thunderbolts* is a much needed win for Marvel

Thunderbolts is the 36th movie released under the MCU banner. It's worth mentioning that Marvel has been in a slump as of late. This definitely helped change the course moving into what is Marvel's most uncertain phases to date.

While I wouldn't classify this as a perfect MCU entry it is definitely on the better side of what they have been producing. We needed this particular movement on characters that have grown stagnant in a way. It helps give more credence to Yelena being a top notch character within the MCU.

Florence Pugh and Lewis Pullman stole the show in terms of acting. Both were a mix of comedy and drama. They perfectly balance the weight of experiences with a person. Especially Pullman in the films final act.

That's what made this film a lot of fun. The balance of well-timed quips and very emotional plot beats. Red Guardian provides most of the comedic relief while Bucky and US Agent provide most of the stone faced drama. This is a tale of misfits coming together to find the light within themsleves. That is the plotline here for the most part. Simple and effective and executed to the best of their abilities.

Some of the early development did drag a bit before reaching the true plot of the film. Valentina is presented as a placement villain to essentially move the plot forward. Which is fine, but she is the prototype villain masked as good here. Luckily, what saves this film is that there is enough story based around that prototype that makes you invested.

This is what the MCU needs to do. Make us want to keep coming back because the stories are good, not just in name only. The early days do feel like they returned here. We have quality characterization and badass action sequences. That's a winning formula if you add an emotional depth to why that is all unfolding. Thunderbolts did that. Even the name Thunderbolts added to that being how we perceived this story as one with heart.

[reelvibes91]

The Last of Us- How do they move on from Joel?

After last weeks episode, The Last of Us really had to begin showing what comes next. While it definitely moved forward without Joel in the story did it really do enough to move the plot forward?

No. Simply put, they did not. Most of the episode was spent moping around, debating whether to go and seek revenge. The reason why this does not work in TV format is because even if we had not played the game, we knew the outcome. Dina and Ellie had been set up as our main protagonists since episode one. We knew when the time came they would go. We knew it was coming. It was all just a matter of when.

Truth be told, there were moments during this episode that I debated abandonning the show altogether. Then finally Ellie and Dina reach Seattle, and the final minute or so of this episode flipped the potential back. For the narrative to have flowed better, starting this season in Seattle and telling the Joel stuff via flashbacks would have been a better choice. Doing it in a linear structure really slowed down the show week to week. It truly became a drag just to reach a point that was inevitable.

It's the tale of bad writing. It's fans accepting bad writing because it is supposed to have a shocking moment occur. Shocking moments in themselves are not enough after 3 to 4 weeks of a snoozefest series. This issue seems to be plaguing a lot more than The Last of Us. One of my good friends who has his own YouTube channel (Shoutout Nerd Doctors) asked me if I was going to give them another week. I answered yes and for a particular couple reasons.

We are finally getting more about the resistance groups vs. Fedra. Something that personally is a more fitting narrative than two strangers navigating the world. We are also getting Jeffrey Wright reprising his role from the game, and he is a phenomenal actor. He is a game changer in terms of talent. He can hopefully take some of the pressure off of Bella Ramsey and Isabela Merced each and every week. This show finally seems to be finding its footing as it approaches the halfway point. Let's hope the rock is stable enough to continue the climb.

[reelvibes91]

Companion Review

With the current state of movie going and quick turnaround times, we have access to the movie faster than ever. That makes the selection net a much wider choice. Yet some movies just demand that attention as soon as they arrive on a streaming platform. Such was the case with Companion, which at first glance appears to be just another movie about AI. That is the furthest thing from the truth.

First off, this movie is absolutely everything M3gan tried to be on a more mature scale. While M3gan was aimed to be a friend for children, this is about Companion robots for adults. It immediately sets the tone as though these robots are anatomically accurate and can do anything you want them to do.

One thing about the robots is they have a built-in feature that can not lie. That paves the way for Iris in this situation. The loving Companion to one Josh Beeman who by every metric is a fairly regular guy. Iris is nervous about a weekend getaway with his friends. We later learn these robots generally are given real memories and are unaware of their true form. That creates a massive sense of awkwardness among the interactions between Josh and his friends.

This structure allows for dark humor to be introduced within the structure of this plot in an effortless way. It also allows a nuanced performance from Sophie Thatcher as Iris. She absolutely steals the show without a doubt here. As things begin to unravel after a brutal murder Josh is forced to tell Iris the truth. Which allows Thatcher to then reach another level and blend the boundaries of what we should allow from AI technology as we develop it. There is plenty of social commentary sprinkled throughout this, and most of it hits the mark. It is subtle and well times and not in your face the way other films of this nature have delivered it.

Companion is everything you could want in a film about AI. It turns out what should be a situation about creating a perfect loved one for ourselves on its head. It challenges that when it comes to AI, we are the problem as we push the boundaries of factory settings with unsanctioned and unfounded modifications to the tech we possess. We go beyond the controlled limits and see the nefarious ways the AI can help us. While this movie is obviously a satirical approach to just how bad things can get it, it is also a reminder that some things just can't be replaced with a robot.

[reelvibes91]

The Last of Us- Through the Valley

Many people wondered when the time came what the HBO adaptation of The Last of Us would do with a massive storyline involving Joel. Well, the time has come for those questions and more to finally be answered.

There was a lot happening in this episode. Joel and Ellie are both out on separate patrols when a snow storm forces them to shelter. Joel comes across Abby, who is on the run from infected. As Joel and Dina are reluctant to trust them, Abby promises that her friends aren't far, and they will help Jackson Hole fend off the infected.

Parts of this episode were really good, and others not so much. Joel deserved a much more retrospective send-off. In this episode, all of the major plot threads they are introduced are dismissed through one liners and quips. It sort of took away from this being Joel's last hoorah. The action mainly focused on the city, and he was an afterthought among all of that.

Dina was quietly put to sleep so she didn't have to witness Joel's death, and Ellie stumbled upon the cabin with absolutely no chance to save Joel. It felt like outside of Kaitlin Dever, they took the stakes away from the actors. Obviously, Bella Ramsey did showcase the necessary emotions, but they could have built up a more frantic approach to these final sequences for Joel.

Hopefully, there is fallout to come, but with the choice to put the attack and this all in the same episode, it seems like the plot will move onward. While the choice to fulfill this narrative needed to occur, I wish it would have been portrayed with more conviction. Maybe it was because it became predictable even within this episode this is the route they were taking. Part of it was because we didn't get those emotional last conversations between Joel and Ellie.

It was this shows big moment and perhaps others enjoyed it. Overall, the episode did what it had to do, but it definitely could have been portrayed in a much more emotional capacity. Now that the show can move forward into the heart of the games actual story, let's hope we move at a quicker pace. This episode just wasn't it from beginning to end.

[reelvibes91]

Absolute Flash continues to start strong!

When a new comic series, first debuts fans can expect a lot of setup. Absolute Flash has done a great job of setting up so much over the course of the first two issues. It has felt very cohesive and well planned out. As if there could even be multiple directions the story takes.

Here we pick up right after where issue one ends, and we see Wally still trying to figure out what has happened. He feels alone, and the frantic pace of the story really helps capture that feeling. It moves quickly through him, piecing together what happened. Being isolated at 15 plays a huge role as well in the story structure. This is a side of Wally we have never witnessed before. Wally has always had endless allies and people he could turn to for help.

The art lends to that frantic nature as well, creating a truly unique Flash vision through two issues. What we have here is truly a fresh take on the character that can completely reinvent the lore and the villains that surround him. We are introduced to one such villain here in Grodd. This is a complete redesign and reinvention. At first, I will admit I dismissed this, but upon seeing it, there may be room for this storyline to be completely unique and introspective for both Grodd and Wally. Grodd is commonly known as one of the Flash's most intelligent foes who constantly provides him with a challenge. There is room for Grodd and Wally here to both feel like complete outsiders and grow together both intellectually and emotionally.

[reelvibes91]

Born Again Finale

Daredevil Born Again has finally finished. Sadly, that comes with a sigh of relief as the show has been limping towards this finish for weeks now. What we got here was fallout from the decisions that were made last week. There is plenty to unpack over the course of the final hour of season one.

Most of what happened here was the most predictable version of what could have occurred. We finally, after so much time, learned the truth about Foggy Nelson and everything that occurred there. It is exactly what was eluded to in the penultimate episode.

Insert Fisk realizing Matt is still a massive thorn in his side and a very terrible attempt to have him executed. After that, a hobbled Matt makes his way home to find out Frank is waiting for him in his apartment. This begins one of only a couple of scenes I felt attached to. Frank has no qualms about calling Matt out and nor should be.

Bernthal is an absolute scene stealer and adds a layer to his performances most actors will never reach. He once again stands head and shoulders above everyone here. From his subtle acting like he doesn't care about Karen or telling Powell, the NYPD officers have no idea the level of pain he felt.

This two part finale hook to set up season two would have served better an extended 2 hour finale. Breaking it down took the momentum away from the shocking choice made by Matt. It's bad when your lead character is one of the worst written characters of the season. Karen, in her limited screen time, has more emotional depth and growth than Matt had throughout this season. While we did catch glimpses here of what damage all of these actions have had on him, it still felt like he was dismissing so much of it. When point blank asked why Matt took the bullet for Fisk his answer is "That is a good question," and then the show immediately jumps into the next action.

The show could have positioned this for newcomers as a way for Matt and Frank to fundamentally disagree on how to approach the next phase of action. The bad thing about this show is it is purely designed for those who have watched every minute of the Netflix series. If you jumped on here, you would have no idea why Matt and Frank take the approaches they do. This could have been aided by the necessary dialogue but the show waited too late to do anything meaningful with the characters and plot.

Season 2 does have some promise as those honest citizens prepare to mount a fight against Mayor Fisk and his Red Hook project. Let's hope the dialogue and action are more akin to the Netflix series through out. The post credit scene involving Frank and his obvious return has me excited. I want to see Matt return to being Matt. Facing his real life and the emotional stuff right in front of him and all of the heroes we know and love taking their city back.

[reelvibes91]

The Last of Us has finally returned

It is good to finally see Joel and Ellie back on the screen. Season 2 of the Last of Us has been a hot topic ever since it was released. While fans have offered up their opinions on how the game handles the story, it does not mean the show has to 100 percent follow that path.

Already, we get introductions to the new key players in Abby and Dina. Abby has a very brief appearance, while Dina gets a tremendous amount of screen time. Isabela Merced is the stand out in terms of acting here, giving us a glimpse into who Dina is. She is funny, outspoken, and willing to do what is necessary.

While the episode itself was a little slow to start, it definitely feels like this season is poised to do big things. We get that set up near the end of the episode. We needed the filler stuff year as the show makes a big leap forward by 5 years.

We also caught a glimpse of how the infected are evolving, heading into this new season. This episode set the tone but it could have been better. Joel was used sparingly and they are creating a fractured relationship between him and Ellie. He even speaks on this on at point. He doesn't have the means to continue to support her. She is an adult now and no longer in need of the constant supervision. It's well established through a brooding Pedro Pascal and a less outward Ellie. Her bond is stronger with everyone but Joel at this point.

It's a good start, but this show really needs to pick it up. There is a lot to cover. While I am all for adding the necessary background information, this is a show I want to see big time things from. The story has to always be moving forward. This episode does thanks to Isabela Merced, but the rest of the season won't have the new introductions to fall back on consistently.

[reelvibes91]

Changing our perception of medical inspired TV. A review of The Pitt

Every now and then, a show comes along that changes the game for the genre it is a part of. The latest series to shake things up is The Pitt. It has garnered the attention of audiences worldwide for the thrilling and tension filled format.

We arrive at work at 7 am with Dr. Michael Robinavitch, who is the ER attending Physician at Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Hospital. It is established right from moment one that this is no ordinary medical drama. We are spending the day with Dr. Robby (how he addresses himself with staff and patients) hour by hour.

As the show progresses, we get real-world incidents that will test the boundaries of the doctors who are working alongside Robby. Both professionally and ethically, these doctors are faced with complex choices that are true to life and very emotional.

Noah Wyle takes on the lead role here and he nails it. Right from the opening scene he establishes Robby as a flawed but caring individual. He takes time to remind the doctors that when a patient is lost, they should take a moment of silence. In the early going, Wyle presents Robby as unwavering, but over time, we get to see the cracks in his own foundation, and his past is brought into the mix.

We see the toll a life of this nature has the private and professional lives of each of these doctors. We learn their most intimate of secrets down to the final moments of the season. That's why The Pitt is so hard hitting. It never quite settles on one emotional moment to hit home. It is a quick and unrelenting barrage of emotional cases and interpersonal reflection. We see these doctors thinking, processing, and applying first-hand medical knowledge in the closest thing we could get to real time. We watch as the pressure mounts for them throughout the day.

As the season drew to a close were shown a mass casualty event which had some of the most emotional scenes a medical drama has ever showcased. It was the breaking point for Robby, and it completely changed the scope of how a story like this can lay out mental health for audiences. We get to see that even the people society leans on for guidance and help also have their breaking points.

Every show that has ever come in and changed the landscape of television did so by generating conversation. They did so by creating hard-hitting stories that made you laugh and cry. Stories that made you mad for the characters made you understand more about the characters. What all of these shows like The Pitt have in common is a new bar is set once they arrive. Without a doubt, The Pitt stands among the greatest medical dramas we have ever had. The most amazing part is that most shows have to earn that distinction over a lengthy run. The Pitt did it after just one season.

[reelvibes91]

Presidential Drama on overdrive! G20 is now streaming

Action movies are a dime a dozen these days. You can find so many action heavy films with a variety of servicable plots that are designed purely to showcase this. Amazon Prime offers up the latest in this genre in the form of G20.

It is a political action thriller set up against a terrorist attack during one of the worlds largest events. Stop me if we have heard that before. This plot has been used a million times over and yet still somehow gets people seated and watching.

Here, we have President Danielle Sutton, who is announcing a new currency initiative to help rural farmers have easier access to the money they need. In come the terrorists who are looking to flip the script and create an economic crash so Bitcoin can flourish and the markets change.

Viola Davis has the task of leading this film from a heroic standpoint, and her presidential war veteran character is a bit on the asburd side. She is a hardass parent and a stoic leader and then insanely skilled at everything the plot conveniently needs her to be good at.

You can literally feel the absurdity oozing off the poster. It doesn't shy away from any of it. In fact, the more campy the situation becomes, the more campy the way it plays out becomes. I think the only gripe that comes to mind is it is hard to separate when a movie wants to be taken seriously or not. These films that play no holds barred style with the sequences sometimes try and then have tender moments. Those moments don't usually play how they are supposed to after crazy over the top action.

A lot of this film relied heavily on a secondary subplot of the President trying to come to terms with her rebellious daughter. The subplot was not bad but played out in a generic way. From hacking RFID devices to evade the Secret Service to inevitably using those skills on a global scale, there was no natural progression. She was given those skills to add a layer to the plot to isolate the G20 summit from rescue. They could have crafted a better storyline about why she has those skills.

These movies are never praised for the depth. That's not an excuse to not have any. It's not a formula that generally has a lot of high praise. More popcorn fun than anything else. It's one of those movies that genuinely feels like it remove their own stakes. It's well acted, and some of the sequences are not horrible. However, what happens in between offers very little character growth. That is a huge thing in terms of story. Everyone in this movie came in with the set of skills and opportunities to use them that they left with.

[reelvibes91]

Born Again Episode 8

It has been said about television that some shows take a while to get going. However, when your first real glimmer of greatness is in your penultimate episode, it seems like a few things were missed. That is the case with Daredevil Born Again.

While episode 8 was one of the better ones of the season, it came too little too late. This was the story everyone wanted right from episode one. It once again felt predictable solely because it was the only card they had left to play. While it was a necessary route they boxed themselves into a corner this late in the season and made it the only route.

One of the better things this episode did was it finally took the time to address how all of this is taking a toll on Matt. He is having a hard time keeping his professional life and his vigilante life a secret. It's about time this occurred. Quite frankly, it makes the people around him look worse than it took this long.

It is good to see the show finally becoming what it should have always been, but that does not make up for what it has been. It is good that the show has finally done away with some season long subplots that should have ended weeks ago. This is the meat and potatoes of what diehard fans have been expecting.

There is somewhat renewed hope this show can limp into season 2 on a high note. This show has been awkwardly stumbling until this point, so limping into some fresh air seems a befitting end. This show has clearly struggled to find an identity in a post Netflix world. It just seems to me like they wasted so much time when there are so many classic Daredevil stories to choose from. Winding up here is not the issue. It's how we got here. It's the time squandered on what could have been something special.

[reelvibes91]

The White Lotus continues to provide top notch drama

Another round of guests have come and gone from the White Lotus. Some went home relatively the same while others didn't make it home at all. There is so much to unpack in this third season that took on some wild themes. Season 3 is good for what it did do and even better for what it explored but didn't end up doing.

Let me elaborate on that point. The White Lotus is classified as a drama. A slow burning character study at that. One that fundamentally takes a look at what decisions people make. Generally, for the sake of the story, it centers around morally bankrupt rick and elite folks. Characters who can afford a luxury stay at a resort on the other side of the world. With those characters comes immense baggage. With that baggage comes theories and red herrings that Mike White can create just to bait and switch.

The bait and switch approach is the best one a series like the White Lotus can take. It doesn't have the same ability to pull of a crazy twist but it can set up drama that doesn't go down how we would expect.

While the first two seasons offered to serve up a ludicrous ending, which involved a shocking death, season 3 opted not to do that. While there was still violence and death in this finale, it was not as shocking as prior seasons. That may turn people away, but for me, it breathes fresh air into the series. Had Mike White used the same antics as prior seasons, we could have said all he does is rely on a trope. This proves there are so many stories to tell about humanity, and sometimes anger just gets the better of us. Sometimes, people make poor decisions in the name of doing what they feel is right in the moment.

Already having been renewed for Season 4, The White Lotus, which has spent all 3 seasons at nice beach resorts, should take another leap. We should either see a snowy location or a more urban location for the 4th season. One thing Mike White does a tremendous job of doing is blending in the culture. In season 1, we got Hawaii, Season 2 Italy, and for season 3, Thailand. The choices for the next season are endless at this point.

A show of this nature, which relies heavily on a rotation of cast members, needs to reinvent itself between seasons. Where it relies heavily on a dialogue, stunning local visuals, and drama, we need to see just how zany and whacky humanity has become. This show thrives on the presentation of characters with varying opinions on all things. Those things include religion, sexuality, fame and politics. The White Lotus is a show where anyone person with any opinion on a hot button subject can find themselves the center of the drama.

Season 3 provides a lot of that while reminding us that humanity makes odd choices daily. It is very well written from that perspective. It's hard to discuss a season of The White Lotus without diving into the spoiler territory. However, this show is better served to watch it blind and to form your own ideology and opinions of the characters. Some people feel specific ways about individuals, and others feel the exact opposite. That is what makes The White Lotus so much different from anything else. The drama is not so cut and dry.

[reelvibes91]

A Minecraft Movie is an Absolute Blast!

Minecraft is a massive game worldwide. If you are to see an image from the world, almost everyone can recognize it instantly. A movie based on this game had my intrigue because there was no real clear story direction.

Now said movie has released and there has not been this much commotion at my local cinema since Endgame released. A Minecraft Movie has all the makings to work for everyone. For those who have spent 100s of hours playing the game or those who have seen very little.

Jack Black is a key reason why this movie works. He has the charisma to do absolutely everything and this proves it. From Bowser to Minecraft Steve, Black is carving out a really weird collection set. The Jack Black Iconic Video Game Characters collection sounds great.

In terms of the story, much like most video game based movies, the plot is very thin but always finds a way to work. Here we have Jason Momoa as Garrett "The Garbage Man" Garrison who is a washed up game store owner who once crushed it playing games himself. New kids in town Natalie and Henry along with their real estate agent find themselves transported to the Overworld.

It is visually fun giving the movie a live action take was an interesting choice when animation could have opened up so much more. That's my only gripe, to be fair. The live action aspect didn't enhance the movie but nor did it deter in the end. All of the classic Minecraft monsters are present and were the highlight of the movie.

There was a subplot here that, to me, was absolutely hilarious involving Jennifer Coolidge. She continues to be a delight in almost every project she is a part of. It gave the adults more to laugh at while the main plot line was entirely directed at those who have played the game and the younger audiences in attendance.

It's not a shock that A Minecraft Movie is the first real big hit of this year. It is already poised to become a massive hit domestically and will easily become the highest grossing domestic release so far this year. This is the first time in a while that I have been at a nearly sold-out movie. It was an immersive experience, to say the least. It seemed the general consensus within the packed cinema was that everyone was having. There were cheers, claps and general admiration for what was on display.