Category: December 2024

Flow & Mufasa “Review”

Release date: October 30, 2024 (France)

Director: Gints Zilbalodis

Language: English

Distributed by: UFO Distribution

Box office: US$6.8 million

Latvian: Straume

Music by: Gints Zilbalodis; Rihards Zaļupe

Missed this one upon release however with this title winning best animated movie for the golden globes I had to check it out.

Flow is a beautiful movie not only in visuals but in its heart and soul. Flow sets us up with an introduction to this cute cat shown in the image above. Very quickly we’re introduced to an array of characters that either serve as a threat or established entity in this world.

When a natural disaster? Occurs we find ourselves in a world that continues to flood. Higher and higher the water level rises and the journey that flows ahead of us is a journey of our cat and companion animals that shows even your enemies can be your closest friend.

Loved this journey, however I’d give it a solid one of watch with maybe a repeat viewing down the road. Worthy of praise but to beat Wild Robot! COME ON haha, but seriously it’s really good. Better than Inside Out 2 for a 1 time watch but couldn’t imagen checking this out again.

With no dialogue anyone can watch this title and enjoy the visuals and story on screen.

I’d give it an 8.5/10 but could be an 8 with how much I’d like some information established that goes unanswered along the way.

Release date: December 20, 2024 (USA)

Director: Barry Jenkins

Distributed by: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Adapted from: The Lion King

Box office: $481.6 million

Music by: Dave Metzger; Nicholas Britell (score); Lin-Manuel Miranda (songs)

Doing a double batch here as these titles came out last year. Doesn’t mean I didn’t want to talk about them specially with the Oscars coming up and Flow maybe among them?

I had no interest with Mufasa, however an annoying but catchy song/saying was in my mind. I always wanted a brother…..I always wanted a brother…. I always …okay okay I get it. Let’s watch this thing and give it context.

This was a rollercoaster of a score / experience. On one hand, when it’s hitting your nostalgia play this title felt so good but played on it so cheaply. If it wasn’t for the epic journey ahead this title wouldn’t have been as good. Hmmm kind of feels like Furiosa doesn’t it with Fury Road.

Loved the mini sequel that starts this title. Kind of lost me when we went into the backstory. That was until we meet Mufasa and his brother Taka. I thoroughly enjoyed the “Evil” lion tribe the white lions. These were awesome and actually had my favorite song “Good Bye” :D. Felt like a threat and gave so much weight to Mufasa and his actions.

Mufasa felt like such a giga Chad which was cool to see. Loved his journey and despite Taka being a cowardly entitled character. Loved the switch into his Scar alter ego which we’ve known from the original Lion King.

I’d give Mufasa a solid 7/10 but that’s mainly due to Nostalgia and with how the movie ended making me want to watch the original once more. I never saw the “Live Action” version of Lion King so I look forward to checking it out now. Will a sequel come from this ? Unsure.

If they re-wrote or cut like 30minutes from this title a potential 8 could have been scored for Mufasa but sadly the lows and ehh moments kept it from being great and just a solid good. Better than I expected that’s for sure.

Thank you all for coming by Popped.blog and checking out this latest batch. We come nearer to the Oscar nominations and I’m excited to see what outcome comes for 2024 movies.

Looking ahead for 2025, tomorrow I’ll be checking out Better Man and curiously hopeful to have A Complete Unknown experience but we’ll have to wait and see.

Until next batch, enjoy The Popped Cast and look forward to a Wallace & Gromit “Review” real soon :D.

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Nosferatu “Review”

Release date: December 25, 2024 (USA)

Director: Robert Eggers

Screenplay: Robert Eggers

Budget: $50 million

Distributed by: Universal Pictures, Focus Features

Adapted from: Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror, Dracula

Never seen the original and maybe I should check it out. This movie was so freaking good! Came for the spooky vampire. Got hooked by the tonal atmosphere and stayed for the incredible Nicholas Hoult whom is another “Movie Star” I’ve got my sights on.

Lily-Rose Depp (Playing Ellen Hutter) kick starts this movie with an intense opener communicating with Nosferatu played by Bill Skarsgard (As Count Orlok)

Her husband Thomas Hutter (Played by the awesome Nicholas Hoult) gets a job to travel to Transylvania to sell land to a prospective client, Count Orlok.

Shout out to this couples friends in the movie being played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson (Kraven Lead) & Emma Corrin who play the Harding family with their 2 very cute daughters.

Some / Few people may find this movie to have a slow intro I’ve heard. Which blows my mind because the opener was so incredible of a hook I’m surprised you had time to think this way. The film most certainly ramps up and escalates however I never found it boring what so ever.

Looking for a beautifully shot movie that honors the original while freshening it up in a modern technology way of creation through cinematography and quality. This film did it spot on. Sometimes it felt like a black and white movie elevated on film. This was gorgeous and I have a hard time picking between this and The Substance when it comes to my Oscar Nomination in certain categories.

Not going to ruin this for you by breaking down all that occurs. Just sit back, grab some popcorn and enjoy this spooky awesome movie that disserves a place in my top 10 as I’ll be giving Nosferatu a 9/10.

With that concludes 2024 movie “reviews” from me Prowen for Popped.blog

Next couple of posts will be a transition to 2025. Some looking back while others look ahead at my hopeful/most anticipated movies of next year. Some changes to come with the site going forth but until then. Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas and a massive Happy New Year to you all :D.

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A Complete Unknown “Review”

Release date: December 25, 2024 (USA)

Director: James Mangold

Producers: Timothée Chalamet, James Mangold, Bob Bookman · See more

Budget: $60–70 million

Distributed by: Searchlight Pictures

Based on: Dylan Goes Electric!; by Elijah Wald

Not going to lie, this film if it wasn’t for all the buzz around Oscar nomination. I probably would have skipped it. Well I’m glad I didn’t. What a great movie! Fun, entertaining and educational.

A complete unknown starts us of with Timothee Chalamet (Playing Bob Dylan) getting out a taxi in New York 1961. In search for his hero Woody Guthrie (Played by Scoot McNairy) who just got sentenced to hospital. With a lot of luck or extreme coin sequences, he meets up with Pete Seeger (Played by Edward Norton) who takes him in and pretty much places Bob Dylan on the map when he later gets introduced / plays after Joan Baez (Played by Monica Barbaro).

The film did a good job to entertain and educate me on the history of Bob Dylan while keeping me engaged. I was never bored despite, again, not having any interest in checking this movie out, outside the Oscar discussions.

A switch was flicked on once at entered 1965 and the gears started to really turn for Bob Dylan in several ways. It was awesome seeing Bob become his own musician rather than recording other peoples tracks. A line hit me when his girlfriend Sylvie Russo (Played by Elle Fanning) said that someone has to create the classics (As he was recording music deemed as classic), this got me as it’s true. Without someone today creating new songs the future wouldn’t have the classics of the 2000’s as nothing would have been created from the first existence of music.

This got me thinking of older actors and the newer generation of movie stars. Timothee Chalamet is for sure on my “Movie Star” list. He’s been fantastic in all his works and I’m excited to see more. (The next review also has an actors I’ve enjoyed for quite some time and would include here also).

Honestly if you’re on the fence then check this title out. If you loved/enjoyed the music from this era then you’re going to have a blast revisiting it all again. Great actors across the board.

Great movie a well deserved 8.5/10

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The Order “Review”

Release date: December 27, 2024 (UK)

Director: Justin Kurzel

Distributed by: Amazon MGM Studios

Based on: The Silent Brotherhood; by: Kevin Flynn; Gary Gerhardt

Box office: $2 million

Cinematography: Adam Arkapaw

Finally got to sit down and watch The Order, mainly drawn in by Nicholas Hoult and a great trailer. This is such a good watch and some what educational being that it’s based on true events.

The story follows two opposing fronts, one led by an FBI agent (Terry Husk – Played by Jude Law) with his supporting officer (Jamie Bowen – Played by Tye Sheridan) against the other side, a white supremacist group with their groups lead (Bob Mathews – Played by Nicholas Hoult).

The acting was top notch, story telling was gripping and grasped my attention instantly. From a walk into the woods at night setting up plot points later on. To a bank robbery which pulls back the curtain to setup our two fronts.

Since the movie is based on true events I want you to go into this not knowing all the info I hold now. Create your own thoughts and opinions on how this all wraps up and how events unfold still to this day. It’s kind of wild how history can repeat itself.

With that being said I’ll keep story points and reveals very light. You’re going to see into the eyes of a white supremacist group as they form together, recruit, assemble and execute their groups plan to overthrow the federal government.

Have you checked out The Order yet? Dug deeper down the rabbit hole that the film’s ending messages leaves you with? Love to hear your thoughts below and with that we enter our final week of 2024 and a possible 3? movies left to review before we close this chapter.

The Order gets a solid 8/10 Popped scoring :D. Watched Wild Robot again yesterday by the way and totally loved it! Solid top 3 movies for 2024. Maybe it beats challengers when I re-watch that for a second time.

Until next time with – Nosferatu | A Complete Unknown | Baby girl

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Sonic 3 “Review”

Release date: December 20, 2024 (USA)

Director: Jeff Fowler

Adapted from: Sonic the Hedgehog

Distributed by: Paramount Pictures

Box office: $1.4 million

Music by: Tom Holkenborg

Sprinkle some chaos energy on this review to temper expectations if you’d like. I’ll be going in on this “Review” however mind you being my most anticipated movie of 2024 I maybe wearing my rose tinted glasses.

If you’re unsure on what Sonic 3 will be about or what to expect. Maybe go watch the first two movies and the Knuckles Paramount + Show. It’s literally a turn your brain off and have a good time type of movie.

From the first title, to now. I’ve loved the world that’s being created for the Sonic Universe. Yes the human storylines are the weakest and continue to be, however I just love it when both Sonic and his gang are on screen as well as Jim Carrey himself playing as Doctor Eggman…..but wait a minute, now there’s two! Of him playing different characters in a movie by the same actor O.o.

Sonic 3 picks up with our trio of heroes as we discover it’s Sonic’s first bEarth Day when he met his human family back in the first movie. I honestly wished they left the humans here but alas…

Oh btw prior to the above we start this feature off with some nice action and introduction to Shadow himself. 😀 – I’ll tease and setup but wont go into spoilers. You know me by now ?

Human character shoutouts go to Krysten Ritter who plays the Director of Gun. Was very cool seeing her in this movie. Keanu Reeves was awesome playing Shadow, despite sounding like brain from pinky and the brain haha.

Loved Loved Loved! Jim Carrey playing both Doctor Eggmans. Loved him since the Mask, Dumb & Dumber & Ace Ventura. The same energy still exists today with his role playing these characters and I’m excited to see what’s to come next. – Press the Button 😉

Again no spoilers, but the overall plot of this title is overcoming Shadow the Hedgehog. If you know you know. If not, enjoy getting to learn more about the Sonic Universe that covers story from the video games. (Specifically Sonic Adventure 2)

Sit back and enjoy this very crazy adventure. Learn more about the characters and their back stories. New and Old characters get introduced, Developed and have their own moments to enjoy and behold.

Lots of epic 90’s nostalgia, specially for those into Sonic/Sega or that played video games during that period of time. keep watching to the end. A mid credit scene and a final end credit scene – BOTH WORTH STICKING AROUND FOR. – Very Juicy 😉

I can’t believe in 4 years we’ve gotten 3 Sonic Movies! – Insane! – Nintendo hurry up with Mario Bros and other franchises. I must get a Metroid & Ness movie so Smash Bros can be a thing.

You already know it’s a 9/10 from me for a Popped “Review”. If I had to be harsh maybe somewhere in the 8’s like an 8.5 but honestly I had such a blast and just love every scene with Jim Carrey and Team Sonic :D.

Here’s to looking forward to 2026? For the next installment. Maybe time to play some games and dive into the animated series?

Thanks for coming by Popped.blog for your “Review” of Sonic 3. Happy Holidays if I don’t return by next week and enjoy your festivities. ❤

Stay tuned toward new year on my 2024 break down and 2025 hopes and nopes.

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Kraven the Hunter “Review”

Release date: December 13, 2024 (USA)

Director: J. C. Chandor

Budget: $110–130 million

Story by: Richard Wenk

Distributed by: Sony Pictures Releasing

Based on: Marvel Comics

WoW! That’s a lot of $ to waste on this movie Sony. Maybe learn from WB and write it off on taxes rather than announce that this series is going no where and you’re done with your Spiderman less spin off movies.

Well, we’re counting down to the main event for the game awards so lets discuss the pros and cons. Or even the potential and wasted opportunities that Kraven the Hunter could have setup before Sony announced it’s going nowhere.

I’d like to start with some positives. The most positive is that this is a watchable movie and not awful like Morbius & Madame Web.

Loved the opening scene which they released online. I see why as it’s the best scene\s of the movie. Lots of good action worth checking out on the big screen. Honestly an entire could be cut from this feature to save 30 minutes would have gotten this back to a 7. I started at an 8 from the opening which quickly dropped with the backstory.

Loved Aaron Taylor-Johnson whom plays Kraven the Hunter. It’s a little odd seeing how he’s the “Good” guy of this title after playing Spiderman 2 video game. However! I loved the opportunity this movie sets-up to have an Amazing Spiderman 3 which bounces off this movie, the video game and the ending of Amazing Spiderman 2.

Maybe that’s why I ended up giving this a 6/10 because of the potential to have these characters in an actual amazing spiderman movie….Buuuut I have no idea what Sony is cooking up now. Will they start from scratch? Jump off where Marvel currently is? Try and salvage these spin-off movies but now include Spiderman? Love to hear your thoughts on that in the comments.

Calypso by the way was the character I’d cut from this movie. I’m not sure her origins from the comics but in this movie she’s not needed. Kraven’s brother Dimitri played by Fred Hechinger which you may remember most recently from Gladiator 2 would be my almost cut from the film but offered enough where I’d like to see his character more in an Amazing Spiderman sequel.

Loved Kraven’s dad being played by Russell Crowe. Sadly the storyline that played out wasn’t the one setup in my head from the start which was unfortunate. Still had lots of awesome worth watching scenes and I enjoyed where he took the story of Kraven toward the end of the movie to jump from into what’s going to come next? If anything comes from it at all :S.

I’d place Kraven probably 2nd best Sony Spiderman movie of the spin-off movies. 1st place going to Venom 1 of course. I did enjoy this more than Venom 2/3* (Overall – 3 Had some good scenes still) and way more than the previous mentioned Morbius & Madame Web.

I’d love to get the video game Kraven from these actors in a sequel but who knows what Sony is doing next with these properties.

From a 8/10 down to a 7 then eventually a 6. I gave Kraven the Hunter an above average 6/10 rating and with that, we wrap up the spiderman less spiderman movies from Sony. Let’s give them lots of good feedback for their new direction.

With DC resetting, Marvel? Rethinking their direction?, now Sony resetting? I’m excited to see if Comic Book movies can come back and be done right again.

Thank you all for coming by Popped.blog – Enjoy the Game Awards and I’ll see you next time with potentially Sonic or ??? an unexpected viewing of The Order maybe?

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The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim “Review”

Release date: December 13, 2024 (USA)

Director: Kenji Kamiyama

Adapted from: The Lord of the Rings

Story by: Jeffrey Addiss; Will Matthews; Philippa Boyens

Distributed by: Warner Bros. Pictures

Budget: $30 million

For someone who watched LOTR once back in the day and then the Hobbit trilogy once, before watching the first film’s extended cut last year (Which I loved and became invested in the series unlike my first viewing), I probably wouldn’t have had this on my list of movies to watch. After my experience last year, I’m even more grateful to have watched it, as I’d have missed out on such a cool anime movie of LOTR’s.

As much as I didn’t like Wulf and his sudden switch in perspective on events that occur in the setup of this movie. I really enjoyed all the characters. Wulf and his dad just completely suck (Wulf’s Dad sucks for his actions while Wulf himself sucks for his poor writing).

The war of Rohirrim comes to be due to our main female lead, Hera refusing to marry and supported by her father and older brothers would have a war break out with Wulf and his people that leads to bigger stakes than just a rejected proposal.

This tale goes back almost 200 years from the original series where Frodo comes into contact with the ring. Here we get some sprinkled easter eggs. Delicious lore setup and exploration. Along with extra character history that I’m hoping leads to future movies that tie nicely in with this series.

The music is rather nostalgic to the original series. Even if a little reworked/tweaked, I was delighted to hear a familiar tune as we come into, through, and out of this movie.

Lots of good action is sprinkled into this 2-hour feature. Some extremely long credits of roughly 8 minutes and no end scene. This was a fun title to watch. Maybe I’ll watch it again as a recap for the entire series but otherwise, this is a solid 7/10 good watch movie.

Thank you for coming by Popped for your movie “Reviews” and look forward to Kraven potentially tomorrow. Next week Sonic 3, maybe another 1/2 movies before the years out but Sonic 3 is my most anticipated movie of 2024 and I’m so hyped to sink my teeth into it :D.

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September 5 “Review”

Release date: January 9, 2025 (Germany)

Director: Tim Fehlbaum

Producers: Tim Fehlbaum, Sean Penn, Philipp Trauer, Thomas Wöbke, John Ira Palmer, John Wildermuth Jr.

Distributed by: Paramount Pictures, Constantin Film

Cinematography: Markus Förderer

Music by: Lorenz Dangel

Got to watch an early access screening of September 5 the other day. With a limited release this kind of hits 2024/25 but I wont be long with this one.

September 5 is set in 1972 during the Munich Olympics. An American sports broadcasting crew finds themselves thrust into covering a hostage crisis involving Israeli athletes.

Before I go into my thoughts, however brief. This is based on true events. Several people after the showing were discussing with myself and some others that they actually lived through this and remember it well. They came away enjoying this title so I wanted to start with that before the later half.

When it comes to my experience. I warn those that are tired, to rest before this feature. Going into this tired with its slow pacing, dated, yet intended for the time period can have you dozing off. Unlike that of Conclave I didn’t find myself compelled to stay awake to see what’s happening as the pacing was just so slow and none of the characters, cinematography, visual beats was enough to grab my attention in such a tired state.

That was my experience, but I hope that if you went to check this title out. That you came away having had a good time and maybe learnt something of historic events.

It’s not much of a “Review” but a pin in the calendar for watching and scoring this for the year. The trailer was good to lure me in but sadly the film in my tired state wasn’t enough.

6/10 – Above Average

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