Month: June 2024

A Quiet Place: Day One “Review”

Release date: June 27, 2024 (USA)

Director: Michael Sarnoski

Story by: John Krasinski; Michael Sarnoski

Budget: $67 million

Distributed by: Paramount Pictures

Based on: Characters; by Bryan Woods; Scott Beck

I’ll be separating this “review” as two parts:

Part 1 Spoiler Free – Part 2 Spoiler “Discussion”

Spoiler Free “Review”

If you’re a cat person or even more so a cat parent this movie will have you on the edge of your seat. Best character was the cat. We’re introduced to our therapy cat when Sam, our main human character played by Lupita Nyong’o is in a hospital being treated for her cancer.

You decide, is Sam driven by the love of pizza. The love of her father and the small things in life or the power of companionship? Something to think about as you watch this third installment that’s a prequel to the Quite Place franchise.

As seen in the trailers and it didn’t occur until seeing him in the movie. But Henri played by Djimon Hounsou is the guy from the island in Part 2. Possibly next year with the third part we’ll get to see what’s going on with him and the family we were introduced to in Part 1.

With the movie having a lot of quite scenes sadly they ran a little long or got boring before momentum built back up once more. Something keeping this movie back from being great is it never felt like the characters were in danger unless they purposefully did something stupid to get themselves into dire consequences.

Our other character alongside Sam is Eric played by Joseph Quinn. I’m not sure his connection to the franchise if any but these three human characters are played well enough. Sadly I just never connected with them and had all my focus on the cat.

This movies energy felt like part 2 rather than part 1. Nothing really seemed to have happened. No stakes were planted to keep you engaged. I really hope for part 3 to possibly wrap this franchise up, they look back at what made Part 1 so great and focus on that energy and feeling. I want the silence to feel impactful. I want to be silenced myself as I’m along side the characters on screen.

It’s moments attempted to create connection that failed and when they failed it prevented this movie getting on my possible re-watch list. With that I’d give A Quiet Place: Day One a 6.5/10. It’s another installment to this franchise giving “origins” to some characters that maybe we’ll get to see developed in a later installment. Let’s hope they find the secret formula before they create to many installments and ruin the franchise with mediocrity.

Spoiler “Discussion”

Some light spoiler discussion.

Who turned off the car alarm twice in this movie? (Yes the scenes were that quite / long / boring I had these thoughts in my head).

Is this an advertisement for therapy animals? Specifically by maybe a cat adoption agency or for hospital therapy?

How comes they talked during scenes with no surrounding noise when they already established they can only talk with surrounding noises? Continuity is a little broken in scenes. (Don’t worry no Abigail rants for this one).

Little bigger spoiler talk

When everyone is being evacuated already being informed to stay quite……wtf did a bunch of people start screaming O.o. Stupid!

It’s the decisions the humans made that kept me from being attached to anyone but the cat.

Does the cat make it? It was on my mind the whole time. Guess you’ll have to watch the movie to find out.

7/10 for cat lovers.

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Thelma “Review”

Release date: June 21, 2024 (USA)

Director: Josh Margolin

Distributed by: Magnolia Pictures

Produced by: Zoë Worth; Chris Kaye; Nicholas Weinstock; Benjamin Simpson; Karl Spoerri; Viviana Vezzani

Production companies: Zurich Avenue; Invention Studios; Bandwagon

Thelma’s trailer got me with a real life comparison and I had to check it out.

For those that haven’t seen the trailer or know nothing about Thelma. This is a mission impossible story inspired by Tom Cruise doing his own stunts for a 93 year old woman when she’s scammed of $10,000.

When you’re told theirs’s nothing the authorities can do and you’re embarrassed and upset to involve your family. It’s up to yourself and maybe some helpful friends to assist in getting this money back.

If you’ve ever seen any of the “100 year old man who climbed out the window and disappeared” movies then you’re going to enjoy this as their a tier below what Thelma is.

Thelma has so much heart. So much emotion and emotional self journeys by multiple characters as they come to terms with either growing old, bettering themselves for the sake of others. The loss of friends and family or the eventual inevitable and what’ll it mean to one another. On the other hand there’s this epic 93 year old action movie which is fairly grounded and will relate to those in their elder years along with adults 25+ I’d say.

Such a good solid watch I’d recommend to check out this summer movie going season. Thelma gets a solid 7.5/10 getting the closest to a 8/10 as possible.

Stand out performances from June Squibb playing Thelma Post along with Richard Roundtree playing her friend Ben. The supporting family were good but mostly saved by Clark Gregg playing Alan the Son in law to Thelma. Gail the mum played by Parker Posey & Danny the grandson of Thelma played by Fred Hechinger had some good scenes but the other characters are what kept this movie going in the solid 7 tier. Maybe I’d watch again if someone wants to see for first time but happy to have spent an hour and a half with Thelma.

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Inside Out 2 “Review”

Release date: June 14, 2024 (USA)

Director: Kelsey Mann

Distributed by: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Budget: $200 million

Edited by: Maurissa Horwitz

Music by: Andrea Datzman

Hey! Prowen’s Anxiety here to start things off. Really hope you enjoy this movie and have a great time. Or not it’s whatever, enjoy or not. I WONT GET ANGRY or upset over it. Wow to write something so cool I’m envious of Prowen and his, ICK! That was disgusting guys what were you thinking. I’m so embarrassed I fear for what’s to come.

Haha anyway with that out of the way Joy here to take control and run you through this “review”. Sooner you read the faster we can get your emotions into gear to watch Inside Out 2 at your local theatre.

Sadly it’s been a minute since watching the first film and after watching this I’ll be revisiting it prior to my second watch of the sequel. Inside Out 2 once again follows our main character Riley as the movie sets up the sequel during her hockey game. Recapping Riley’s emotion within this game was a clever way to bring new viewers into the fold while connecting the first film to the events of the sequel for those fans returning for the sequel.

As the day comes to a close and Riley settles in for a good night sleep prior to her hockey camp. Puberty unexpecting-Ly hits and our lovely bunch of emotions get introduced to a whole new world of feelings and situations to understand and deal with.

I’m not going to dive into easter eggs nor spoilers. This is a fantastic 1 hour and 29 Minute journey to emotionally explore and self discover. Stay to the end of the 8 minute credits for a little hidden secret ;).

If you’d like to dive a little further into this sequel than that then carry on reading spoiler free still.

I left the movie feeling like Pixar had returned. I explored and experienced so many emotions throughout this movie and that’s what Pixar has always done best. In my viewing we literally had 3 sides of the experience. Myself with a 9/10 experience. Literally made me cry twice, bursting out laughing several bajillion times along with another viewer probably a little more in the middle happy watching it once probably not twice. Then the other audience member having not watched the first movie happy to have watched it but never again and probably wont check out the first.

Emotions are powerful and the experiences and memories created through life make up our foundation and character. Just like Riley, she’s developed and continued to grow up. She’s created complex emotions and systems of character and a powerful belief system making up her inner core self.

This takes her and the audience through a deep exploration of inner and outer emotions of self discovery of whom we are as an individual. Are we good people? Are we good enough? Are we mean? Bad? Sarcastic? Etc. etc. If the first movie hit you in the feels in anyway, then go watch the sequel and have a blast.

Is this a 10/10 movie? Probably not. But would I watch this again and again? Totally! Placing it in my top 10 list thus far for 2024 with another 9/10 Popped review. I look forward to watching Riley continue to go through school and maybe even end up as a young adult in the sequel looking for a job after graduating. This would place the sequel roughly in another 5 years time and a perfect gap between sequels to not over do this franchise.

Thank you all for coming by for another Popped review. Love to hear your thoughts in the comments below and let me know if your emotions were struck watching this sequel. Did the review play with your heart strings and what emotions do you choose to drive your daily self?

Until next time! Prowen pOpped Out 😀

P.S – Sadness & Embarrassment are my faves and Embarrassment is MVP ❤

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Bad Boys Ride or Die “Review”

Release date: June 5, 2024 (USA)

Directors: Adil El Arbi, Bilall Fallah

Budget: $100 million

Distributed by: Sony Pictures Releasing

Based on: Characters; by George Gallo

Cinematography: Robrecht Heyvaert

Whilst getting the photos for this review posting, I looked into how old Will Smith & Martin Lawrence are now. I had no idea that Will was 55 and Martin was coming up to 60 years old. These guys are looking incredible and I can see them wrapping up or passing this franchise off in the 5th installment if we get another one.

Just yesterday I was able to watch the 3rd feature for the first time in preparation for the fourth installment. From start to middle ish I felt the same energy as the 3rd title. Which I enjoyed btw probably around a 7. However, despite a weak momentum up and down during the middle. This feature comes into its own into the second half of the movie once someone joins the team (No Small Spoilers Until The End).

It combined so much growth that has been developing and established in the previous 3 titles. This wasn’t a sequel for sequel sake but a film that continues to build on the building blocks before it to make something truly worth enjoying and sitting down at the movies for.

The crowd was cheering and laughing along to many moments of Ride & Die including an explosive round of applause at the end as credits rolled. Of which by the way are very short and offers no end scene like the third feature did.

The plot focuses on the continuation to the previous installment with their late police captain, now being linked to drug cartels and our epic duo team Marcus & Mike embark on a dangerous mission to clear his name.

Overall from start to middle I’d of given this a 7/10 however the second half just kept building and building to land a 8.5 strong ending that took the franchise from retirement to another solid title before potentially handing this over to “the next generation” as we get to live the remainder of the series with them in the back seat.

Creating some space between the review above and the Spoiler ish area.

Appreciate you all for reading and coming to Popped to hear my “Review” on the theatrical features coming out in 2024. I’ll continue to tweak and find my style throughout this year to grow and improve this format for years to come.

Rating system I’m thinking of ironing out for better understanding for the reader is that 5 is average. Anything 6 or above are still good to master piece titles and still worth viewing.

When a title has .5 it either had something that pushed it up toward the next rating or dropped due to failing on a particular area holding it back.

Stay tuned for Friday as I upload that rating system. I’d be interested in hearing your thoughts and opinions on this system as I continue to grow the amount of movies watched year over year. 2024 = 50+ 2025 = 70+ Until we reach 100+ movies a year.

Spoiler ish Town

The moment Armando (Mike’s Son) joins the team is when the struggles of the middle wade through into a joyous time. The cast start to have fun it feels and it radiates on the screen and felt (at least to my audience) by the viewer.

Lots of cool action scenes to see on the big screen. Go watch this in theatres you’ll have a blast.

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The Watchers “Review”

Release date: June 7, 2024 (USA)

Director: Ishana Night Shyamalan

Distributed by: Warner Bros. Pictures

Based on: The Watchers; by A. M. Shine

Cinematography: Eli Arenson

Music by: Abel Korzeniowski

I didn’t know this was based on a horror novel until now. Fun fact 😀 – The Night Shyamalan family name was what brought my interest into this film. The Watchers was directed by his daughter Ishana Night Shyamalan.

Her prior works were “Old” back in 2021 along with “Knock at the Cabin” in 2023 as a second unit director to her father who Directed them both. Knowing this information I can definitely see her style coming through which sets her apart from her fathers work. If Old was a dud, Cabin had promise, then I see her work improving which may give insight into this review before diving into the movie itself.

The Watchers sets this movie up perfectly to hook your interest. Some of the most epic of designs shown without being shown to the viewer. Less is more approach was taken and the sound work was let loose to captivate.

The feature introduces the audience to this expansive world within an untouched forest in western Ireland. We find ourselves following the story from the perspective of Mina and her MVP of a bird.

Something strange is going on within this forest, many individuals have gotten lost never to return. What happens when one goes past the sign of no return?

Well the Watchers shall be sure to inform you of this rather quickly upon nightfall. Stay within the light. Don’t turn your back to the mirror. Don’t open the door after dark and don’t go near the burrows. The Watchers see you but you don’t see them.

This will be a non spoiler review so I’ll be vague until the end when I tag spoiler section for all to be prepared.

Mina finds herself joining 3 other individuals whom fate aligns with her own. Stay within the shelter at night. Venture out during the day for resources / food and surrender this as her new way of living.

I’ll leave the story here for you to explore and if interested in somewhat more of a tease stick around for the tid bit spoiler section at the end.

I mentioned it earlier but I can’t express my love enough over the sound work in this film. I felt like things were around me. There was literally a scene that stole my breath away in complete tension. Who every created these watchers made the coolest designs.

Now before jumping into spoiler ish town. I’m giving this a personal rating of 6.5/10. It could have been a 7 and for others maybe a 7.5 however without going into further details I’d love you to explore this title and let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

Spoilers ish Town

Less is more was a key, however the more you see of these Watchers the less I was intrigued and more disappointed the film went a generic direction.

If you’re into D&D / Lore & Fantasy then you could very well dive into this feature and have a feast of it. That’s why my 6.5 – 7.5 rating comes from as you may enjoy the feature more or less upon those factors.

Not knowing this was based on a book I felt the story should have ended 20 minutes earlier and left to be baked in the oven a little more to flesh out an epic sequel.

It had what it needed to be a solid great movie but ended up being a good movie. I had a good time and enjoyed the journey. Just sad the film fumbled the ending.

Looking on the wiki I see this was impacted by the SAG-AFTRA strike. Maybe the book has a different ending and there’s hope for what made the beginning and middle so awesome?

Lastly yellow bird MVP.

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Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga “Review”

Release date: May 24, 2024 (USA)

Director: George Miller

Budget: 168 million USD

Sequel: Mad Max: Fury Road

Distributed by: Warner Bros., Warner Bros. Pictures

Cinematography: Simon Duggan

Apologize on the delay of this review. Life events occurred that didn’t align until now to watch this feature.

Furiosa is the prequel to the much successful Mad Max: Fury Road. I truly hope we get more movies in this universe because the ground work made prior to this movie and for what’s to come in the timeline after Furiosa makes this such an epic.

If I give this a 9/10 then fury road is a 10/10. I don’t think this is a master piece alone. But Furiosa is such an awesome tale that adds to this universe and gets you pumped to revisit Fury Road straight after.

A tale told across 5 acts, my favorite portions were 2 through 4. By the time act 5 came around the movie was getting a little long however was well treated with a great ending. Act 1 set the tale and introduced us to Furiosa and her story from roughly age 10 onto 26 I believe. It’s been a minute since Fury Road so I’ll story details tame to not to spoil easter eggs.

Performances across the board were spectacular and honestly all I can say is its an epic. If Fury Road is S tier movie then this is right below it at A tier. Go watch it check it out and then binge watch the entire series all over again.

Just as Quite Place is having a day 1 to fill in the events of the before time. I’d love to see a prequel prequel that went over the entire downfall and led us through all the events to current before making a sequel to Fury Road. I love the Mad Max universe and I’m ready to rewatch them all over with this new additon.

9/10 Popped Batch for this title. Let me know your thoughts in the comments and I’ll be back later in the week with Watchers “Review”.

Thanks for reading movie fans 😀

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In a Violent Nature “Review”

Release date: May 31, 2024 (USA)

Director: Chris Nash

Distributed by: Shudder, IFC Films

Box office: $2.1 million

Cinematography: Pierce Derks

Produced by: Shannon Hanmer; Peter Kuplowsky

Welcome back to Popped! Fellow movie going lovers.

A movie not originally on my watch list I was recommended to watch this title and intrigued with a description of one of the kills in this feature.

In a violent nature takes an interesting approach to the slasher movie genre by taking the POV of the “Villain”. A leather face origins? I was quite excited to see that this title was a Shudder movie. What timeline we find ourselves to have Shudder movies on the big screen.

With Hollywood and big studios making budget cuts and movies with highly inflated budgets making them loose millions. I feel there’s a home for this style of film with extremely small budgets.

I appreciate what the creators were trying to achieve here. Even if personally I felt they missed the mark in some aspects. But where they didn’t miss the mark was the deaths and kills. This feature was a true torture porn flick going in on the details of each death.

To score this movie higher I’d of trimmed the fat and including some story details to attach me to our main character. Shortening the expositions when travelling the terrain of this universe would have been nice and prevented getting to realms of boring between fun moments. Tweaking the ending by saving an additional 10/15 minutes and this could have been a solid hour story with a unique and interesting perspective.

Until the ending I was at a 6/10 but sadly wasting 10 minutes on a conversation leading nowhere I had to drop it to a 5.5/10 praising the details of gore, deaths and story telling attempts. Failing on keeping my attention and having me care for this character on why he’s doing the acts that he’s doing.

Have you checked out In a violent nature? Curious to see what I mean by torture porn? Let me know in the comments and I’ll see you in the thunder dome of the next review.

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