It Came From The Archives: “Thunderbolts*: Bleak But Amazing”
Thunderbolts* is a movie I don’t think about anymore, but every time I’m reminded of it, (like when I’m looking for something to pull out of the Archives) I remember how much I liked it.
Category: Movies
Hoppers: Actually Hilarious
Hoppers is exquisitely weird. It starts off with very familiar patterns to many, many Pixar movies. Its most direct connection being Up. We have a main character who lost someone dear to them who is heavily associated with a specific location that is then threatened by some external force. The main character is then given a goal (with a deadline) that, if they succeed, will let them save their beloved space.
Iron Lung: Almost A Great Cosmic Horror Film
I watched Iron Lung at an odd time. Within the last few months, I’ve seen both Project Hail Mary and Ash, and in a way Iron Lung could be described as a combination of both those movies, taking the cosmic horror from one, and the lone person trying to help investigate an apocalyptic problem from the other.
Project Hail Mary: You Owe Yourself To See It
Project Hail Mary is a technical wonder. The movie will stick in the mind of its viewers (me included) because of its emotional buddy-duo adventure section, but it cannot be understated how impressive this movie is from both a movie-making technical level (meaning sets and camera work) and from a writing perspective.
The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes Is Important
The Hunger Games trilogy is important to me. I read the series right before the craze hit. To this day, it may be the first fandom I was on the ground floor for. I recall seeing every movie quickly after they came out.
Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice: Snark And Violence
Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice is an odd movie. Full of so many very deliberate choices. I cannot confirm this, but I couldn’t help but feel the creators were going for a very specific homage, or were perhaps trying to replicate a distinct director’s style.
Wicked: For Good Is Bad
Not to use the most obvious joke ever twice, but Wicked: For Good is bad. Many of the things that made the first movie (possibly) my favorite film musical is still in this sequel, but there’s something deeply crucial missing.
It Came From The Archives! “Wicked: A Bombastic Delight”
Wicked (part one) is a lush, spectacular, wonderful experience of a movie. It captures the delightful energy of live theater and has so many incredible scenes. I’ve had several of its songs stuck in my head since I watched it, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
The Astronaut: Terrible At Everything It Tried
The Astronaut tricks you into thinking it’s a good movie. It’s not. God, is it not. I haven’t had a movie disappoint me so deep into its runtime in forever. The opening scenes hook you in with a cool mystery and then plays with expectations in a way that suggests solid writing is yet to come…and then it all goes speeding downhill.
Ash Takes A Long Time To Be A Good Movie
Ash is a good movie in hindsight. The plot is full of interesting ideas and has lots of fun clues to analyze after the fact (though bright lights/flashing warning). But the first parts of the movie—despite its best efforts—are fairly dull for anyone who has some experience with horror storytelling.
The Gorge Manages To Have Some Great Scenes
The Gorge is one of the best cosmic horror movies I have ever seen—for the very short time that it actually allows itself to be one. The other (much bigger) part of the movie is a mess. Full of weird decisions, a baffling ending, and so much else wrong with it.
The Fantastic 4: First Steps Is A Pleasant Surprise
The Fantastic 4: First Steps is a weird movie for anyone who isn’t already knowledgeable of the MCU. The creators just assume you know how this franchise’s alternative universes work, for one thing. And while I can appreciate not bothering with another origin story plotline, explaining how the four of them got their powers with a quick montage is also a strange choice.
“So many people get shived!” – Merril
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