JoeMama's Movie Reviews

The Uprising Starring Andrew Garfield, Jamie Bell, Thomasin McKenzie, Woody Norman Directed by Paul Greengrass There's never been a more timely story than a movie centering around a once-in-a-generation pandemic with a poor populous struggling to come to terms with the after effects, mixed with economic upheaval and untrustworthy political leadership. This could've been a movie made about 2020, but as history proves, it oftentimes repeats itself with "The Uprising," a fictionalized tale of the Peasants' Revolt of 1381 where thousands of peasants, farmers and commoners marched on London to protect corrupt royal advisors, seizing control of parts of the city. With Paul Greengrass behind the camera and Andrew Garfield leading, this should've been a slam dunk hit, but due to Greengrass's filming style not working for a historical peace and, honestly, it being too boring, it felt more like a one-person rebellion rather than thousands.  In 1381, the Black Death ...

Resident Evil Starring Austin Abrams, Zach Cherry, Kali Reis, Paul Walter Hauser Directed by Zach Cregger Zach Cregger is one of this generation's most prolific horror directors, providing movies like "Barbarian" and the Oscar-winning "Weapons" that will be mentioned by horror aficionados for decades to come, but both based on wholly original ideas. When it was announced he was set to direct a "Resident Evil" reboot, fans of the long-running video game franchise were up in arms due to Cregger's take on their beloved games. There's no Leon S. Kennedy, Chris Redfield, Claire Redfield, or Jill Valentine, but instead it's a new story with a new character that takes place in the modern era, and while trepidation was high, the result is nothing short of magnificent: the best "Resident Evil" movie (granted, that's like limboing under a pole ten feet in the air) that perfectly balances Cregger's blend of horror and comedy, and led...

Hope Starring Hwang Jung-min, Zo In-sung, Jung Ho-Yeon, Eum Moon-suk Directed by Na Hong-jin Foreign films are unique in that they don't make movies to appease the masses, but films that the directors and writers are emotionally drawn to. They don't care if it makes billions of dollars, they want to tell the story the way they want to, unlike American films that rely solely on box office gross week-to-week. "Hope" is an epic (and I mean epic, running at 2 hours and 40 minutes) blend of horror, action, sci-fi and even comedy that doesn't hold the audiences' hands but allows the story to flow in its own natural pace, resulting in a conclusion more fit for a sequel than a definitive ending. In the small South Korean harbor town of Hope Harbor, police chief Ko Bum-seok (Hwang Jung-min) is called to investigate the mysterious death of a cow by his second cousin Ko Sung-ki (Zo In-sung). Thinking it's a tiger, the two split up to search for clues as Sung-ki goes ...

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...