JoeMama's Movie Reviews

Psycho Killer Starring Georgina Campbell, James Preston Rogers, Malcolm McDowell, Logan Miller Directed by Gavin Polone Sometimes a trailer comes out that makes a movie so intriguing you can't wait to see it, and once you do you want to give whoever edited that trailer an Academy Award for making a more compelling two-minute video rather than a feature-length film. "Psycho Killer" is one of those movies, who's trailer makes it seem like it'll be an intense cat-and-mouse game akin to "The Silence of the Lambs" and "Longlegs," but instead it turns out to be a wannabe Lifetime movie with more blood. Jane Archer (Georgina Campbell) is a police officer who witnesses her fellow police officer husband's murder at the hands of the Satanic Slasher (James Preston Rogers) during a seemingly routine pullover. Enraged by the seemingly inept ability of the police to track down the elusive killer who's murdered countless people across the country, Jan...

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...

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 ...

Coyote vs. Acme Starring Will Forte, Lana Condor, John Cena, Tone Bell Directed by Dave Green "You complete me." Those were the words uttered by Heath Ledger's Joker in Christopher Nolan's blockbuster "The Dark Night" when he's being interrogated by Christian Bale's Batman, as he wondered if the Joker wanted him dead. The Joker laughed and said those words showing that, while they're way on opposite ends of the legal spectrum, they really do compliment one another. There can't be a Batman without his Joker, or Professor X without Magneto, or Spider-Man without Green Goblin. Likewise, spanning back since 1949, Wile E. Coyote can't be without the Road Runner. The two have been chasing each other down for over seventy years, and it seems almost unthinkable to wonder what would happen if the Coyote did in fact capture the Runner (although it's happened in non-canonical situations). That's the heart behind the long-delayed and almost n...

Insidious: Out of the Further Starring Amelia Eve, Brandon Perea, Maisie Richardson-Sellers, Lin Shaye Directed by Jacob Chase The "Insidious" franchise was something that was never meant to be. The first movie was an astonishing hit, earning over $99 million worldwide on a $1.5 million budget, making it one of the most financially successful horror movies. It was expertly done, with well-timed jump scares (including one that's still listed as one of the best in all of horror) and had a great story behind it, with impeccable performances by Patrick Wilson, Rose Byrne, Ty Simpkins and Lin Shaye. The ending did leave it open, but it seemed that it was still contained as a one-and-done, but as we all know, money talks. The future installments stretched the story so thin it became a caricature of itself, even though it did keep earning money hand to foot. So now it's the fifth installment, "Insidious: Out of the Further," which doesn't have a lot to do with ...

The End of Oak Street Starring Anne Hathaway, Ewan McGregor, Maisy Stella, Christian Convery Directed by David Robert Mitchell Ever since 1993, dinosaurs on the big screen have been unofficially owned by "Jurassic Park" and its subsequent sequels, reboots and franchises. Any time you hear of a dinosaur movie, you'll be sure to hear John Williams' iconic score with the title "Jurassic ____" in it. Which is what makes "The End of Oak Street" so refreshing - it's a dinosaur movie without having Chris Pratt try to calm Velociraptors or Jeff Goldblum talking about life finding a way. Instead, it's a unique mix of prehistoric and modern day, where a normal cul-de-sac is somehow transported to another era where dinosaurs ruled supreme. Not just that, but the family dynamic at the heart of the film propels the thankful 99 minute runtime forward, along with surprising humor and even more surprising shocks that makes for a lean, entertaining, memorab...

Motor City Starring Alan Ritchson, Shailene Woodley, Ben Foster, Pablo Schreiber Directed by Potsy Ponciroll The idea of a revenge movie has been done time and again in cinematic history, but rarely in the style of "Motor City." The movie was almost entirely absent of audible dialogue, letting its soundtrack and actors' facial expressions tell the story. It's not like it's a complicated one to understand, as we've seen it all before, and without clunky exposition-laden speeches we're allowed to become fully immersed in the film's violence, which comes hot and heavy, and gives deep character dives without uttering a single word. In 1977 Detroit, John (Alan Ritchson) is an ex-con Vietnam vet who has made his life right and is settling down with his girlfriend Sophia (Shailene Woodley) when his world comes crashing down and he's framed by crooked cop Savick (Pablo Schreiber) and his accomplice Reynolds (Ben Foster) who happens to be Sophia's abusi...

Pinocchio: Unstrung Starring Richard Brake, Robert Englund, Cameron Bell, Jessica Balmer Directed by Rhys Frake-Waterfield In a world where CGI has all but overtaken the cinematic landscape, seeing a film filled with practical effects is a breath of fresh air, no matter how convoluted the story is. "Pinocchio: Unstrung" - the continuation of Rhys Frake-Waterfield's "Twisted Childhood Universe" - falls under that category. While there's a lot about this movie that doesn't make a lick of sense, it can be forgiven because the practical effects are so well-done for such a small budget you can't help but admire it. Where production companies crap out soulless sequel after soulless sequel, Frake-Waterfield's work showcases his deep desire to see his vision come to life, and you can feel his heart beating with every scene. After losing his parents, young James (Cameron Bell) goes to live with his grandfather Geppetto (Richard Brake) who's been plann...

One Night Only Starring Monica Barbaro, Callum Turner, Maya Hawke, Julia Fox Directed by Will Gluck It's no surprise I dislike romantic comedies - maybe it's because I'll never find love, or because they're so formulaic you can tell everything that'll happen from the first trailer. Either way, it takes a lot for me to be genuinely surprised by a romantic comedy, and it's rarely happened. "One Night Only" didn't break that mold, and I predicted everything that would happen from the (far too many) times I saw the trailer. While the concept is unique, the execution is baffling, but at least the main actors had strong chemistry together, even though they come off as being best buddies rather than lovers. In the near future, a law is passed that makes having sexual intercourse before marriage illegal except for one night only, where singles can mingle for twelve hours. Pizza store owner Owen (Callum Turner) expects to spend it with his girlfriend, but s...

Spider-Man: Brand New Day Starring Tom Holland, Zendaya, Sadie Sink, Jon Bernthal Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton Spider-Man has consistently been a favorite for comic book readers since his introduction in 1962, spanning numerous comic books, television shows, video games and movies. What is it about him that draws people more than the likes of Iron Man, Captain America, Superman or Batman? Essentially it comes to the relatability of the character - a mild mannered kid gets bit by a radioactive spider and gains superhuman abilities. It's something that every kid dreams of, but also showcases the depth of responsibility and danger it entails. Peter Parker always pines for what he can't have, because he has to remain hidden under the mask to keep his family and friends safe. The burden of responsibility is strong, because as we all know, "with great power comes great responsibility." Spider-Man is the most relatable character in all comics, hence why audiences attend...