JoeMama's Movie Reviews

Forgotten Island Starring H.E.R., Liza Soberano, Dave Franco, Jenny Slate Directed by Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado Making memories is something that we all strive to do, especially when it's with our best friend. The times - both the action-packed and mundane - we share with them are etched into our minds, and they come back to comfort us when we need it, or to give a laugh when we remember what silly thing we got involved in. Places, objects, and even smells bring back these memories and shows us the true importance of life: it's not about what you have, but who you have that really matters. What happens, then, if those memories would be erased? Would you sacrifice that for something more? "Forgotten Island" asks that question with some of the most beautiful, awe-inspiring visuals I've seen in an animated film this year, while giving children (and children at heart) great comedy and a truly heartwarming tale of two best friends and their unbreakable bond. In ...

Fall 2: Deadpoint Starring Harriet Slater, Arsema Thomas, Tom Brittney, Virginia Gardner Directed by The Spierig Brothers Heights is a common fear for many people, myself included. However, unlike my other fear, I don't really have to worry about climbing a rusty old television broadcasting tower or traverse rickety planks on the side of a mountain 4,000 feet above the surface of the earth, so while the first "Fall" and even this one had me squirming in my seat, it was more due to the tension and the thought of being there that made it terrifying, not particularly by thinking I'd ever do it myself. Still, there's a sense of joy that comes with these films despite their narrative dissonance, and essentially this is the closest I'll come to a roller coaster ride - in for the thrills, but thankfully keeping my feet planted on the ground. While there wasn't a need for a sequel - and the sequel's many faults - I was still squirming a bit in my seat, but not...

Buddy Starring Keegan-Michael Key, Delaney Quinn, Cristin Milioti, Tristan Broders Directed by Casper Kelly Growing up I remember watching "Pee Wee's Playhouse" and thinking nothing of it, other than it being filled with bright colors, an over-the-top lead, and anthropomorphic characters like a talking armchair and globe. Watching it now, it looks like a horror movie put to life, or at least something that'd be terrifying if you were on mind-altering drugs. "Barney and Friends" came later in my life, so thankfully I was never subjected to the purple dinosaur's antics, and seeing that show as an adult again brought back terrifying realizations as to how children see things as opposed to adults, and I wondered what my parents were thinking as I was watching such shows. "Buddy" takes the horror dive into this concept, turning a seemingly harmless children's program into a tidal wave of gore, death, and violence brought on by a lovable orange t...

Tony Starring Dominic Sessa, Antonio Banderas, Emilia Jones, Leo Woodall Directed by Matt Johnson Anthony Bourdain was one of America's most prolific chefs, a culinary genius who, like pretty much all geniuses, was a troubled soul. His outward cockiness was a mask for hidden insecurities which ultimately unfortunately took over him in 2018, leaving a legacy that'll inspire future chefs for decades to come. When it comes to biopics, a story like this seems golden - a young arrogant wannabe who lied his way through life to be more impressive comes to terms with who he really is and turns his life around to find his true passion and live a fruitful, yet troubled, life. It's also the kind of biopic that could've failed on every level, resulting in another Wikipedia-sourced movie that glosses over everything and focusing on a few minor details. Fortunately, director Matt Johnson didn't go this route, but instead focused on one moment in Anthony's formative years that...

Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma Starring Hannah Einbinder, Gillian Anderson, Jack Haven, Amanda Fix Directed by Jane Schoenbrun My favorite franchise ever is "Friday the 13th" even though I know most of the films aren't that good, it doesn't take away from my enjoyment of them. Throughout the years it became more a laughingstock rather than respected, but still it knew what it was and delivered in making Jason Voorhees an international icon. So anything akin to the series is something I'd be immediately drawn to, and "Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma" is one such movie - a movie within a movie that serves equally a love letter to horror as well as embracing your whole self in every aspect, director Jane Schoenbrun's third film serves as a perfect ending to their personal life trilogy, a movie made almost for themself rather than a general audience, but one that general audiences can truly appreciate for its aesthetic, story, performances, an...

The Dog Stars Starring Jacob Elordi, Josh Brolin, Margaret Qualley, Guy Pearce Directed by Ridley Scott Post-apocalyptic movies are thrilling, exciting, and fast-paced. Be it a zombie apocalypse, a natural disaster or man-made viruses, you're always bound to see survivors gathering together to horde their supplies as they come under attack from one group of enemies or another. This is why "The Dog Stars" is so frustrating - it's perpetually boring. Out of the too-long two hour runtime only about fifteen minutes are filled with action, and the rest is a dour story that is more about remembering the past than facing the future. Although it's got some great natural setting, this is a world where I would've wished I was gone before it happened, otherwise I'd die of boredom. After an unknown virus killed most of society, Hig (Jacob Elordi) lives in an abandoned airport bunker with his trusty dog and former Marine Bangley (Josh Brolin). While Bangley is content ...