JoeMama's Movie Reviews

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...

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...