Swan's 2017 Movie Adventures

Baskin -
(Can Evrenol, 2015)

[NEW WATCH]



This should be a movie I love but overall I was felt pretty mediocre about it. It had some good, even great, stuff - including what I think is one of the best modern horror soundtracks. But it basically felt like a cool script with cool ideas that wasn't that well-executed. I was looking forward to it, and I was hoping for a lot of gore. There wasn't as much as I wanted, though that wouldn't matter if I thought the movie was good anyway.

Wonder Woman - -
(Patty Jenkins, 2017)

[NEW WATCH]



I realized recently regarding superhero movies, it's not that I dislike the genre like I thought I did, it's just I dislike a lot of the ones everyone else seems to love, such as Deadpool and the Marvelverse movies. This made me think I hated the genre as a whole, but I'm understanding that's not the case. I'm in full agreement with the praise Wonder Woman has been getting. I loved it! While it's not flawless I had a great time. Gal Gadot was tremendous. I have always liked DC over Marvel because they are a little grittier and that appeals to me more. I do think they've had a hard time getting their footing cinematically, but with how successful I think Wonder Woman is, hopefully they've got a bright future.

Wonder Woman - -
(Patty Jenkins, 2017)

[NEW WATCH]



I liked it so much I saw it again on the same day.

The Babadook - +
(Jennifer Kent, 2014)

[REWATCH]



I don't have much to say, I love this movie, and actually when it clicked that the Babadook is basically a metaphor for her depression, some stuff in the film made more sense to me.

The Mummy -
(Alex Kurtzman, 2017)

[NEW WATCH]



You know what ruined this for me? As usual, it's the incredibly obnoxious sense of humor. If that wasn't there, it would just be super boring and badly made action remake (is that what it is?) of a horror film (SERIOUSLY WHY ARE THEY MAKING THIS NEW UNIVERSAL MONSTERVERSE ACTION AND NOT HORROR!?!?!?!).

Oh well. At least it had one cool scene.

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice - -
(Zack Snyder, 2016)

[NEW WATCH]



This movie is one ballsy, unpredictable, and dark slugfest. And holy sh*t is it a treat for someone like myself - someone who has seen and heard all the praise for many a superhero film (notably the Marvelverse movies) but often can’t connect with them himself. That seems to be changing lately as I am finding some I really do like.

I love that DC doesn’t shy from grown-up material, and isn’t afraid to be bleak, and that’s something I personally appreciate. I also love that they aren’t playing the nostalgia game. I get that people don’t want to see Batman with a gun, because Batman isn’t usually seen with one. But you know what? It’s their character and I applaud them for wanting to take their characters in new, interesting directions.

Lastly, I thought Affleck was fantastic as Bruce Wayne/Batman. In fact, this damaged, pissed off incarnation of the character was my favorite of all the cinematic Batmen so far. Can you imagine this guy up against Ledger’s Joker? That’d be something to behold.

It Comes at Night - +
(Trey Edward Shults, 2017)

[NEW WATCH]



As a huge lover of all things horror, I’m usually the one saying certain movies ARE horror when someone says they’re not. I’m pretty liberal with my use of the term horror, I guess. I think plenty of people have very limited views of what can constitute horror.

However, I don’t think I agree with those who say It Comes at Night is a horror film. To me, it’s a bleak post-apocalyptic family drama with some minor horror elements. Labeling is kinda dumb, though, right?

Anyway I think the one thing I like in art even more than horror is BLEAKNESS. And this was incredibly bleak, all the way to the end. But it was also exceptionally well-crafted and acted, with a thematically rich story.

Pet Sematary -
(Mary Lambert, 1989)

[REWATCH]



I was really hoping to like this flick better this time around because it’s one of my best bud’s favorite movies. But watching it only reinforced my mediocre feelings about it. It’s overall just a bit dull. I like some of the scenes laced throughout, and the ending, but I think my main problem is it takes itself too seriously but doesn’t have the passion or enthusiasm to work it. Lastly, if you did a drinking game where every time a cat jumped out for a jump scare, you’d probably die.

Blair Witch - -
(Adam Wingard, 2016)

[REWATCH]



I was hoping to like this better this time as well, but it ends up being such a confusing, poorly made mess that it just doesn’t work for me.