Absentia

Absentia (2017)

My rating: 2.5 of 5 stars


This originally caught my interest because it is in a genre I watch a lot and features Stana Katic, who also plays Kate Beckett in Castle, one of my favorite series. This series doesn't hit as a favorite, but is very emotionally charged from the beginning. Emily Byrne has been missing for six years, during which time her husband has remarried to raise their son Flynn. When Emily returns suddenly, it puts the family in a tailspin of confusion as they try to reconnect old ties and find their new balance. In the midst of this, the case she was working on before her abduction comes back to haunt her as it ties to her own kidnapping and appears to frame her for murder, or maybe not. With her memories mostly lost and disjointed flashes at best from the time she was missing, Emily is hiding from the law as she tries to clear her name in a desperate attempt to reclaim her family. They admit that they should have trusted her, but perhaps there is still more unknown to the story given her obvious PTSD and the memory flashes still resurfacing. It's a lot of distrust and devastation in a very confined package as Emily fights to regain her identity and figure out what is happening.

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This is a sequel to Into the Spider-Verse, with a third installment pending (indefinitely delayed due to writer strikes at the moment). Turns out, not everything is as expected in many of the universes, and Miles goes from maybe feeling a little left out, to just wanting to live his own life the way he chooses to. Gwen looks to be a crux in this story playing out. It doesn't seem like all hope is lost just yet, though there are certainly some rather impressive odds at times. First off, they need to figure out what time Miles really is in, and how to get him back to the correct time instead.

Morbius

Morbius (2022)

My rating: 1 of 5 stars


This is loosely tied to the MCU via the multiverse, though it's not clear unless you're paying attention to the cut scene at the end and snag the tie-in to Homecoming. As it's owned by Sony and not licensed with Marvel itself as the Spider-Man movies are, its' a loose tie at best, similar to what was used in Venom. There are several inconsistencies in the filming and the story that make this one harder to digest on a whole. It also doesn't have a very clear ending, so you're left wondering exactly what you're supposed to think about the story told and if it really is at a stopping point or just ongoing with plans for another film (unlikely considering how badly this one performed). 

Venom 2: Let There Be Carnage

Venom 2: Let There Be Carnage (2021)

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


Not the worst action movie I've seen, but it's very confusing overall and doesn't have much in the way of character development or actual plot. There are a few moments that strike as humorous, but overall a lot of the movie is just a lot of arguing and others telling Brock he's useless or to stop messing up. Shriek is a bit of a confusing add in as she's mostly known for the Maximum Carnage storyline, which does not align with the rest of the movie or the battle with Carnage and the form he uses. There also wasn't any color factor originally, yet in this movie Venom panics:

"This is much worse than I thought. That is a red one."

Nothing is actually elaborated on why Carnage being red is of so much concern this time around, but it is implied from the words and actions that this is somehow a key indicator that results in Venom now expecting them to die rather than thinking they can go in and tear everyone limb from limb with ease.

Men in Black 4: International

Men in Black 4: International (2019)

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


Agent M was determined to join the MIB, basically forcing herself into the ranks against all odds after an encounter of the intergalactic type when she was a child. This encounter ends up paying off for her and her new partner, Agent H. Didn't expect a lot coming into this given the critiques I'd overheard. There are a lot of inconsistencies with the original trilogy, however, if you watch it just as a stand alone movie within the same universe, it is entertaining.

Spider-Man: Into the Spider Verse

Spider-Man: Into the Spider Verse (2018)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Miles joins the ranks of Spider-Men rather unexpectedly, but that doesn't stop the bad guys from coming out of the woodwork. He has to learn some rather hard and fast lessons if he has any prayer of surviving, let alone helping his new friends find their ways home before they glitch out of existence in his realm. Overall, this is very well done and a very interesting mesh of all the different realities with their unique spider heroes.

Venom 1

Venom 1 (2018)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


While Venom hails from the Spider-Man universe, we don't actually see the classic web-slinger at all in this movie. Instead, this solely focuses on Eddie Brock, and how he ends up entangled in the experiment that brings about Venom (and Carnage). There are enough similarities in the story and how it is portrayed that someone growing up with the series will still recognize this stand alone, however it has pulled in and created enough new material that it can stand on its own without Spider-Man or Peter Parker being involved. Of course, being a sentient space creature this time around, Venom is a lot more real than the alien super power suit he was in the original comics.

The Emoji Movie

The Emoji Movie (2017)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This is a cute movie about emojis that live in a phone. Their antics can either make a phone work seamlessly or make it appear defective, resulting in their deletion. Gene is sort of an odd name for a "meh" face in the first place, especially compared to his parents. Suppose it shouldn't be that surprising then that he doesn't really fit the mold. Then again, neither does Jailbreak, and Hi-5 doesn't appear to mind bucking the system a bit. The smile face that "runs" Textopolis however is more than a little creepy. Overall it's an amusing movie, especially the way the different apps come to life inside the phone and appear to be their own different worlds existing within the phone. The underlying message of learning to be happy as yourself is also an important one, but probably lost on younger kids everything else going on and the electronic analogies along the way. Maybe when they're older, they'll start picking out more details to the story rather than just "funny movie."

Ghostbusters: Answer The Call

Ghostbusters: Answer The Call (2016)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


For a reboot, this was okay while also being a little strange. I have vague memories of watching the original movies when I was younger (of course I've seen them again since when I was older, but that first impression always remained). There are obvious parallels in the characters, while also keeping things different enough, that it's a little confusing and I found myself having to remember that it is not part of the original Ghostbusters universe. Some things don't change (like Slimer popping up and being a pig), but other things remain. The infamous Marshmallow Man also got a remake at the end of the movie, which was not as attractive despite the constant complaints of "asking for something small and cute." Also had a strange moment when I realized Chris Hemsworth played Kevin, though I most recognize him for his role as Thor. Overall, it was enjoyable, but not a favorite. Still not entirely sure why the essentially wanted a gender-bend version of the original, but whatever.

The Swan Princess 7: Royally Undercover

The Swan Princess 7: Royally Undercover (2017)

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


This story mostly follows Princess Alise as she goes on a grand spying adventure with one of her local friends to help Robert save Queen Uberta. It's cute, and only belongs in the Swan Princess series by virtue of the fact that Alise is their adopted daughter, though we see more of Derek overall, and more of Robert and Uberta than him. Unlike the original trilogy, Odette also manages to avoid actually becoming a swan, something that was last briefly seen in the Christmas movie.

Annie

Annie (2014)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


A modern twist on an old classic. The music is familiar, but the scenes are all modern, as is the tech, and the "family" is anything but "conventional." Still, Stacks proves he's learned a lot from his little orphan as they grow into a family together. The random singing is comically pointed out several times throughout the movie, making it a bit of a comedy musical on top of it. Really, adorable is the best word for it. Even modern Annie will pull your heart strings and have you rooting for her happily ever after.

Hotel Transylvania

Hotel Transylvania (2012)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


After having seen Hotel Transylvania 2, I had to go back and watch the first one. We get a little more history on Dracula in this one, including learning about his wife and why he (and his family) originally hate humans so much. There's also the first hand reveal of the "real" monsters at a local monster party that is highly amusing. Most of the movie is really about Mavis growing up and Dracula learning that his prejudices might not be justified after all if he's going to be a good father. There's more than a little hilarity that results of the entire debacle. Definitely one of the more fun and entertaining "Halloween" films.

Hotel Transylvania 2

Hotel Transylvania 2 (2015)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I need to go back and watch the first one as daddy had already watched it with our little girl when I joined the party. It seemed like this would be a good series pick given Halloween is just around the corner and it has such high ratings. We had no clue what to expect of it going in, but found out it was rather hilarious. The characters are all just a little bit of an extreme in their chosen way of life, and it makes for some amusing interactions. Nothing is what it seems when your family is an odd mix of humans and monsters. Not everything that goes "bump in the night" is necessarily bad.

The Swan Princess 5: A Royal Family Tale

The Swan Princess 5: A Royal Family Tale (2014)

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


Not only is this done in the same computer 3D style as the fourth installment, but it recycles old story lines (hunting for the forbidden arts) while focusing solely really on the idea of Derek and Odette adopting Alise, a local orphan girl. There are some hints that perhaps Odette is more powerful than she thinks as "the swan princess," but mostly it's just trying to stay ahead of evil magic and save their new family. I suppose you might consider the Uberta/Rogers pairing to be overdue, but even that is still rather rocky at the end of the film. On the other side, of course Derek and Odette appear to be the perfect parents for young Alise.

The Swan Princess 4: Christmas

The Swan Princess 4: Christmas (2012)

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


Unlike the original 3 movies, this one is done in a computer animation style reminiscent of the Barbie movies, which is rather jarring and odd. Rothbart tries to come back yet again by using a rather unlucky black cat to trick Derek. This time it's actually Derek who nearly meets his untimely end, though of course Odette nearly ends up stuck as a swan yet again. It's the spirit of Christmas itself that will stop Rothbart's ghost and save the kingdom.

The Interview

The Interview (2014)

My rating: 0.5 of 5 stars


Really, it's more like outright 0. This had to be the most outrageous, stupidest film I have ever seen. I get it's a specific type of comedy, but holy cow was it outrageous! Neither one of us really get what all the big fuss was about over it that cause all this drama because quiet frankly: it's horrible! Don't bother paying the rental fee; it isn't worth either the cost or the amount of time it takes to watch it.

House of Cards

House of Cards (2013)

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars


Normally I hate anything that talks about politics as it's such a landmine and riddled with lies and broken promises. While all of that is still true, this is a low key series that takes an interesting twist. Not only do you follow the main character through his political ambitions, but there are actually side segments where essentially the action is frozen and he explains the logic and methods behind what is happening or why he does something a certain way. While some actions, especially further on the series, are more reprehensible than others, it is an interest idea to not only show how politics work, but give an inside look into the psychology of the position. This seems to be the shows saving grace as I find these inner dialogues to be the most fascinating aspect of the series.

Black Hawk Down

Black Hawk Down (2001)

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


Based on the story of a war mission in Somalia on October 3, 1993, this is a story of exactly what you don't want to have happen in the middle of a war. Trapped behind enemy lines with no help on the way, it's up to these soldiers to carry out their mission and find their own way home. Nerve wracking and high on the action aspects, this takes a particular mood to really enjoy that was lacking this last time around. Do have to say though, that it is a very well made film despite any personal preferences at the time of viewing.

Looper

Looper (2012)

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


An interesting premise: what better way to solve past problems then sending the older individual back in time to take care of the younger one? It can get a little confusing keeping track of who is who (or the same person just different times) with all the hopping back and forth, memories, and changes. Definitely a reason to pay attention when watching this film. A little strange, but interesting. Didn't care much for the confusion myself, but it was still well done.

The Fall

The Fall (2006)

My rating: 1 of 5 stars


This is a very strange movie. The story itself is actually a tale that injured stuntman a little girl with a broken arm conjure up while in the hospital together. Imaginations run wild and the story takes a turn for the worst towards the end. Not particularly a happy tale or anything that relatively easy to follow.