Some Dude Reviews Movies

When I was in college, I took a Theatre History course. I mean, I had to: it was required. But it was an excellent experience with an incredible professor and it remains a source of many happy memories. That class covered all of the major styles and movements in theatre. Which included a brief stint in melodrama and minstrelcy. I was shocked and taken by American Minstrelcy. So my professor suggested that I go find a film called Bamboozled (2000), by Spike Lee, and give it a watch. It was hard to find. I believe I finally found a copy to request at Fresno State's (my alma matter's) library. I honestly can't say that I was ready for that movie. I was confused and a little angry at it. But it stayed with me. Then, flash forward some many years later, to 2019, and The Criterion Collection announces a restored transfer to be released on BluRay. Fast forward to a few days ago, in 2020, when racial tensions in this country have been brought to th...

I love it when film-makers make the most of small budgets. When a shoe-string production comes along and wallops you on the head with smart production and engaging ideas. The Endless , a 2017 film from directors Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead, is one such film. I. What Is It? This is the story of Justin (Benson) and Aaron (Moorhead), two brothers who escaped a cult  when they were younger. It's been ten years, and their lives haven't gone anywhere. In a bid to reach some form of closure, and after receiving a mysterious tape from one of the cult members, the brothers decide to return. One day. One evening. It quickly gets more complicated than that. *** This is a movie whose story goes to some very interesting places. In honor of trying to keep those twists and turns thrilling for anyone who watches this film, I will endeavor to stay away from spoilers from here on out*** II. Auteurs Moorhead and Benson are excellent film-makers. But th...

Groundhog Day (1993) is one of my favorite films. It works on every level. It's a screwball comedy that, upon reflection, dives into some heady waters. Everyone can enjoy that movie. Movies that feature time loops are inevitably compared to Groundhog Day : "ah, it's  Groundhog Day as a war movie ( Edge of Tomorrow [2014])," or, "ah, it's Groundhog Day as a horror film ( Happy Death Day [2017]), etc, etc. Some films undergo this scrutiny well, while others suffer for it. Palm Springs  (2020) is Groundhog Day  that doubled down on being a Rom Com. And it wiggles its way out from under Groundhog Day 's shadow. I. What Is It? This is the story of Nyles (Andy Samberg) and Sarah (Cristin Milioti): they are stuck in a time loop at a wedding. Nyles is there as the boyfriend of one of the bridesmaids and Sarah is there as the Maid of Honor. The set-up is that simple, and to discuss any more would dampen this thing's vibe. II. ...

I'm always on the look out for new filmmakers. For new visionaries. There is nothing quite like watching a new director (new to you, anyway) swing for the fences in a first film. There's something fun in watching a freshman effort and trying to figure out what kind of calling card it will be for the director's future work. And there's always the satisfaction of saying, years later, that, yeah, I was a fan from the beginning. I think Andrew Patterson is a voice to watch. And his feature, The Vast of Night  (2019) is a compelling calling card indeed. I. What Is It? This is the story of Fay (Sierra McCormack) and Everett (Jake Horowitz), two teens in a quiet 1950s New Mexico town. One night, while everyone else in town is at the highschool basketball game, the kids hear a mysterious sound come through the airwaves, and they decide to investigate. II. Gorgeously Realized This film is beautifully shot, and wonderfully designed. There are...

This year saw the home release of Celine Sciamma's masterwork, Portrait of a Lady on Fire  (2019). It was a film that floored me with its beauty and power. I had found a new filmmaker to revel in. I wanted to find her catalog and watch more. And The Criterion Channel obliged by releasing a trio of Sciamma's early works. I sat down to watch one of those: 2011's  Tomboy . It had an engaging premise and a compellingly brief runtime at 82 minutes. I was interested to see the evolution of a master filmmaker. I wanted to know if the spark was always there, or if Portrait  came out of nowhere. I. What Is It? This is the story of Laure, and their family, and how they moved into a new apartment one summer. It's the story of how Laure became Mikael and constructed a life among the apartment block's children. Before it comes crashing down. II. A Story of Moments Sciamma's greatest strength as a filmmaker, she writes as well as directs, i...

I am a fan of action movies. I am a fan of Chris Hemsworth. I am a fan of the Russo Brothers. Netflix told me there was a new action movie starring Chris Hemsworth developed by the Russo Brothers. And ya know? Since I am stuck at home, I gave it a whirl. And, oh, I am glad I did. I. What Is It? This is the story of the kidnapped son of a drug lord. And the mercenary tasked with extracting him from a rival drug lord's possession. Things get a bit complicated when that rival drug lord locks down the entire city and press-gangs the military into his service. What started as a simple smash and grab evolves into a city-wide fight for survival. It is a beautifully simple action movie concept: perhaps one of the best go-to action premises. II. Breathtaking Action This movie is brutal. Between head shots, brutal knife fights (and rake fights), and kids being thrown off of buildings by drug lords, this movie gives no shits about sentimentality. It's a...

I saw the trailer for Netflix's zany comedy, Coffee & Kareem  (2020), and I thought: "that looks like it could go either way." You know the kind: a movie that is either going to be brilliant, or an absolute piece of garbage? So, one night, with nothing else to do, we tuned it up to find out which way the wind was gonna blow. I. What Is It? This is the story of a kid and a cop on a wild ride through Detroit's seedy underbelly. And that description is actually more nuanced than this entire movie. II. Just Because None of the "characters" in this movie make realistic choices. They make choices just because. Why is a white cop dating a single black mother? Well, just because it would be kinda funny, ya know? Why doesn't a grade school teacher expell a student for sexually harassing her? Well, because. Why does a criminal in possession of video evidence of a murder he helped commit not immediately delete that video? Well,...