What movies have you seen recently?

[ameriatho]

Re: What movies have you seen recently?

When THe PHone Rings

[Blzer]

Re: What movies have you seen recently?

Sonic the Hedgehog 3

This review comes with a few precursors. Firstly, I avoided any and all trailers (I have since seen them), so I did not know what to expect outside of the post-credits scene from the Sonic 2 film. Secondly, my understanding of Sonic lore stems from playing Sonic 2, Sonic 3, Sonic & Knuckles, Sonic Spinball, and Dr. Robotnik’s Mean Bean Machine on SEGA Genesis as a child; I have not played any of the games since (except Sonic 4 on PS4, another classic side-scroller), including and especially the 3D versions from SEGA Dreamcast and onward. I also haven’t seen any television series. Anything that would count toward fan service may have flown by me, so consider me a relatively casual viewer of who was once a cartoony, non-speaking character.

I rewatched Sonic 1 & 2 two nights ago, and had forgotten how much I really like that first film. It is very heartwarming and strikes a good balance between the human characters and our blue hedgehog. Sonic 2 overstays its welcome a little, but starts to add the elements that are familiar from a videogame standpoint and earned the right to stand that ground after establishing the world in the original. I had a lot of fun with that one, and Robotnik and Knuckles were fun foes with great dynamics. I thought that the lessons learned from both two films—both the good and the bad—would have been considered during the production of Sonic 3. Sadly, I don’t think that they all were.

Going into this movie, I didn’t know Shadow well. This movie had an opportunity to introduce me to him, and I think it did that in droves. I do wish an unfamiliar actor was cast to voice him though, because every time he spoke I was taken out of the movie and told myself that was Keanu Reeves. That didn’t happen for Duke Caboom in Toy Story 4 for some reason, but that’s a personal problem that resolved itself the more I watched the film. His personality was very dry and was without the humor that Knuckles brings, but he has a sympathetic backstory and it’s good enough to start up the movie. His fighting prowess brings lots of fun to the fold, especially when fighting with Sonic. I was reminded of Neo vs. Smith fights in The Matrix Revolutions, which of course were heavily inspired by anime. They lit up the screen well, and these were moments I was most engaged in.

Unfortunately, this all goes downhill when Dr. Robotnik comes on screen. When Jim Carrey somewhat slipped into retirement, I think the writing team knew to possibly kill him off in S2 if they had to and work without him for this film, then he came back onboard and they found away to integrate him in where they could. I think there is a mold of this story that exists without Robotnik, and honestly the movie would have been all the better for it. I know that is sacrilegious to say because this is Jim Carrey after all—and he really gives it his all—but Robotnik had his story arc over the last two films. In some ways I resented his inclusion this time as I felt it was time to showcase more Shadow so he wouldn’t feel too shallow, whose story deserved more emotional punch than was delivered upon. This is especially where I felt some lessons weren’t learned from Sonic 2, and that middle act of this film is a complete slog to get through.

I will give credit where it’s due, though: these films remind me that PG content can still thrive and there is an audience that can embrace its lightness, especially in the comedy department. There were jokes for me, jokes for children, and jokes for both of us. It was easy to follow (without much of a plot though, mind you), and besides the middle pacing issues it wasn’t too long. While some story is sacrificed for comedy (e.g. how a specific item is safeguarded or how security is bypassed at one point), it still fits in the medium and you can look past it. However, I don’t think that it justifies the rest of their choices for entertainment throughout, and this begins and ends with Robotnik. His inclusion really messed up the flow of the narrative which I cared for most, even if Jim Carrey himself gave me most of the laughs. All three films swim in that fine line of the PG-rating, and its accessibility for all audience members is palpable.

Because this and Mufasa: The Lion King are releasing the same weekend, my mind submits to making a comparison between the two. I enjoyed myself with Mufasa more, and going into both films, that mindset couldn’t have been any more opposite. Sonic 3 could have been a lot of things, but sadly because of the lulling middle act not spicing up its life I think this wasn’t it. I know this may feel like I’m overemphasizing this aspect, but it really did overshadow the rest of the film and derailed the focus after the first act (unlike the previous installment where there was simply a detour). Speaking of which, what seemed to be promised as a Shadow movie after Sonic 2 did not leave me fulfilled after I had left. Don’t let Official Trailer 2 fool you into thinking the balance load is anywhere near the one or two action scenes it constantly highlights (in hindsight this was very good marketing). There are two credits scenes—one mid, one end—that make me believe this franchise will keep going, so if they do I hope once and for all they end the Robotnik run and try to breathe newer life into it, throughout its run this one failed to grab me.

1 > 2 > 3

[dododoan]

Re: What movies have you seen recently?

When The Phone Rings

[KSUowls]

Re: What movies have you seen recently?

Finally watched Bohemian Rhapsody. Really solid movie. One of my favorite biography style movies for sure. Of course it's hard to not like something when Queen is playing.

[DrJones]

Re: What movies have you seen recently?

Nosferatu is fantastic, well-acted and gorgeous, a must-see in the theatre.*

That said, I don't see myself rewatching it as often as (the admittedly inferior) Bram Stoker's Dracula.

*Irrespective of genre or movie quality, has there been any actor more dependable over the last 40 years than Willem Dafoe? I think not.

[Bard]

Re: What movies have you seen recently?

Gladiator II

I mean, it had solid action sequences, but it struggles to recapture the emotional weight and narrative depth of its predecessor. While visually impressive, the story feels uninspired and fails to leave a lasting impact. Overall, it’s a decent watch but ultimately underwhelming, earning a 5.5/10.



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[Armor and Sword]

Re: What movies have you seen recently?

Gladiator II

I mean, it had solid action sequences, but it struggles to recapture the emotional weight and narrative depth of its predecessor. While visually impressive, the story feels uninspired and fails to leave a lasting impact. Overall, it’s a decent watch but ultimately underwhelming, earning a 5.5/10.



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That’s a fair review. Vastly inferior to the epic original.

[Ghost Of The Year]

Re: What movies have you seen recently?

Hellboy Crooked Man. I loved the first Hellboy years ago. Gave it 10 of 10.
Loved the second Hellboy, gave it 9 of 10. Liked the the third Hellboy, 8 of 10. As a pretty big fan of the first three, I figured it was a cinch Crooked Man would at least manage a seven. It did. Negative seven (-7) of ten. Maybe if I try to give it a rewatch, it'll grow on me. But I doubt it. Its like a witch put a curse spell on it and tried to kill it for me. I hope if they ever do a number 5, they return to the style of the first three.

[DrJones]

Re: What movies have you seen recently?

Hellboy Crooked Man. I loved the first Hellboy years ago. Gave it 10 of 10.
Loved the second Hellboy, gave it 9 of 10. Liked the the third Hellboy, 8 of 10. As a pretty big fan of the first three, I figured it was a cinch Crooked Man would at least manage a seven. It did. Negative seven (-7) of ten. Maybe if I try to give it a rewatch, it'll grow on me. But I doubt it. Its like a witch put a curse spell on it and tried to kill it for me. I hope if they ever do a number 5, they return to the style of the first three.

If you haven't already, read the Hellboy comics instead. They're great.

[Majingir]

Re: What movies have you seen recently?

The Wild Robot

Fantastic animated film, the whole family loved it.

Art design, story and voice acting were all top notch. Gonna be front runner for Oscar this year.


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Finally got around to watching this.

At time the animation really looks lifelike (specifically at the beginning).

It was a nice movie/story overall. Roz/brightbill relationship was nice, especially baby brightbill. Of course, humans ruin everything in movies involving animals, even animated ones (I mean the characters/bad guys which in this case was the human corporation).

Seems like there will be a sequel to this one. Based on how this one ended I'm guessing the sequel will be

Spoiler

Roz and Brightbill returning to the island, perhaps they have to relocate island for all the animals, or simply Roz just helping brightbill find all the other migrated ducks

[SugarPlumFairy]

Re: What movies have you seen recently?

I just watched The Menu really intense and darkly comedic. The plot kept me hooked the whole time, and the performances were great.

[Master Live 013]

Re: What movies have you seen recently?

• May December: 6/10
• 20 Days in Mariupol: 6/10
• Small Things Like These: 6/10
• Rustin: 5/10
• The Iron Claw: 6/10 -
  Spoiler

  Feel good movie of the year

• The Boy and the Heron: 5/10
• Nyad: 6/10
• The Color Purple (2023): 3/10 - If you can or want to only see one version, watch the 1985 one.
• The Penguin: 6/10
• The Day of the Jackal (2024): 6/10 -
  Spoiler

  Was under the impression this was a limited series, kind of disappointed it seems it will have a 2nd season.

[Gotmadskillzson]

Re: What movies have you seen recently?

Gladiator 2 - 8 out of 10. It was good for me, not too long.

Elevation - 9 out of 10. Very good. I can definitely see this movie getting a part 2.

[KSUowls]

Re: What movies have you seen recently?

Inheritance (2025)

Worst camera work that I've ever seen in a non-hand-cam film.

Also very slow. The previews made it look more like a spy movie. What we got was far less than that. I guess there was a reason no one had heard about it when I told them that I was going to see it.

[Armor and Sword]

Re: What movies have you seen recently?

Decided to watch The Bourne flicks again.

First 3 are down and two to go.

The Bourne Identity- 7/10
The Bourne Supremacy - 8/10
The Bourne Ultimatum - 8.5/10

Up next The Bourne Legacy and Jason Bourne.