Tag: reviews

The Substance “Review”

Release date: September 18, 2024 (USA)

Director: Coralie Fargeat

Distributed by: Mubi, Metropolitan Filmexport

Cinematography: Benjamin Kracun

Music by: Raffertie

Production companies: Working Title Films; Blacksmith

The Brief “Review”

Use this “Review” for those that don’t want to ruin their appetite before devouring the candy that’s going to be presented to them. Healthy substance in the lack of substance holding back the onion from being peeled? What does all that mean?

Let’s begin!

I went into this film blind to only seeing the above poster. With a perfect time slot at the theatre I went to check out this movie which upon reflection could very well be my favorite new horror movie in quite some time.

I call it – The Everything Everywhere All At Once Candy Corn? Confused? So am I. Let’s keep it brief. It’s not for everyone but for those that enjoy this. It’ll be staying with your horror-loving self for years to come. It’s going into my top 10 movies of the year and I’ll even lock in an Oscar nomination while we’re at it.

Want some more?

If Everything Everywhere All At Once was a horror movie on society’s creation of individuals in the spotlight. By the way, the movie I’m referencing was my favorite movie of the year that it was released. 9/10 – Cinema

The “More” In-depth “Review”

The opening of this movie focused on an egg being injected and splitting into two, which was the most fabulous and bizarre experience entering a movie. I praise how brilliant it was coming out at the end. Most surreal and clever use of cinematography that just captivated me from the start.

What’s this movie about without spoilers and giving too much away? It’s your 50th birthday and after being in the spotlight for so many dozens of years you’ve noticed those around you have grown tired of what’s being offered and seek for a replacement. Someone younger and “Hotter” to be the eye candy going into future years to come.

Well, good news! I have the substance of your answer. So impactful you’ll birth yourself a younger one.

Loved the chapter-like story introducing Elizabeth Sparkle and introducing the layers of this tale forever being peeled back revealing so many different layers that the creativity was insane how deep the writing and creativity went.

The Substance is VERY R Rated and I’d recommend you be comfortable with your party members that you’re watching this title with. You’ll get to know ALL about these characters on an up-close and personal level. Spotlighted on and more in the frame than any other movie currently out at Theatres.

I mentioned it above but I’d lock in my Oscar nomination on this title. The category that instantly jumps out is that of the editing and sound effects/music. I’d have to display the categories before me to truly pick but I’d lock this title in for nomination for sure.

Remember you are one! This movie was horror done smart and I freaking loved it! It’s not for everyone. But those that enjoy cinema and horror can truly get to sit back and enjoy this combination as something new and horrifying in so many ways. The eye of beauty and the beholder of such envision can only come from within when faced with such hatred and ugliness in the world.

The onion layers will speak for itself. Will it affect you as you dive deeper in? Only by watching The Substance will you be able to tell. I was back and forth between a 8.5 and a 9 but the ending and the bow tie that I’m all about. I went with a fucking love it 9/10. Lets freaking GO! With that we have 2 8.5’s remaining on the top 10 of 2024 and I’m excited to see how this list wraps up going into November before we finalize the entries in order by end of December.

Thank you all for reading this “Review” of The Substance. Did you check this title out? Think I’m crazy for comparing it to Everything Everywhere All At Once? Then I’d love to hear in the comments section. This has been Prowen with another solid batch of Popped! “Reviews”.

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Trap “Review”

Release date: August 2, 2024 (USA)

Director: M. Night Shyamalan

Distributed by: Warner Bros. Pictures

Cinematography: Sayombhu Mukdeeprom

Music by: Herdís Stefánsdóttir

Production company: Blinding Edge Pictures

How should we start this “Review”. It’s M. Night Shyamalan’s best movie post 2020? Not on the level of Split but maybe Glass? If that gives a pictures lets open the door to Trap.

I applaud the trailer for setting up this movie. It does a great job of setting the scene and informing the viewer what this movie is about. The movie dives a little deeper in than the trailer reveals but the intro and the trailer work nicely hand in hand to one another without revealing anything futher.

Thoroughly enjoyed the dynamic relationship between the daughter and her dad as we navigated the scenes developing during this feature. I can’t go into much detail to contain the trap and the inner webbing of threads revealed throughout the movie.

I was very entertained throughout the majority of this feature. Hitting 8/10. Sadly without going into much detail the “plot twist” that M. Night placed on this movie could have audiences split. It brought my score down to a 7.5. However depending what they do next with this world/universe could bring it up or drop further without some solid writing.

I recommend everyone interested in the trailer / film go watch it. Then lets discuss the feature afterwards because there’s a lot to be discussed. A small post feature scene before the credits fully role. Nothing to stick around for at the end of the credits. Save yourself 5 minutes :D.

Appreciate you for reading this Popped “review” and next up should be Borderlands next week sometime after the movie premiers Thursday 8th.

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Deadpool & Wolverine “Review”

Release date: July 26, 2024 (USA)

Director: Shawn Levy

Distributed by: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Based on: Marvel Comics

Budget: $200 million

Cinematography: George Richmond

Go watch this movie, have a bloody good time and then come back because I’m just going to gush all over this thing like the guy from the TSA making calls to HR but secretly loving what my eyes are locked in on.

Got your attention? Yea, then buckle up sweat heart because this is one hell ova thrill ride. From the epic and very nicely paired soundtrack action scene this movie had me hooked. Yea the pacing takes a significant nose dive for awhile. The fun and laughs just ramp right back up until the next over the top set of scenes.

Who’d have known we’d be getting a sequel to not only Deadpool 2. But also Logan, *****, **** *****, AMONG SO MUCH MORE! Have you seen the movie already? Why are you still reading this. Go by 5 tickets and watch this movie already. Go have a blast. Look for the easter eggs. Watch it again. Then go back with a group of friends and eventually your family.

Based of feeling and how I started and left the showing. Easily breaking my 9/10’s to slam this down as #1 with a 10/10. If I had to pick at it and want more then I’d go with an 9.5/10. Best movie of the year? Did you watch the movie already? Yes!? Then why ask such an obvious question.

MCU Jesus is here to save Marvel and set the timeline right in it’s place. We’ve been de-railed for quite some time and Deadpool & Wolverine are here to save the day.

$200 Million budget? WoW! That’s cheap of Disney. Should have been $300 Mill as this will be making it back within opening weekend. Let’s Fucking Go with a directors cut and crank this thing to 2 and a half hours or even 3 :D.

Loved this movie clearly. Stick around to read more spoiler things. YOU’VE BEEN WARNED!

WARNING SPOILERS WARNING SPOILERS WARNING SPOILERS

WARNING SPOILERS WARNING SPOILERS WARNING SPOILERS

YOU’VE BEEN WARNED!

The Cameo’s in this movie not only hit and hit hard but bloody well may have been perfect. Doctor Strange fucked up with it’s multiverse use of cameo’s and Deadpool & Wolverine have salvaged the multiverse.

Bring on Secret Wars baby! Skip Kang – This movie did it’s job. Now don’t fuck it up Marvel! Comic Con is this week! I can’t wait to hear what’s announced for the next phase on Saturday.

Thank you so bloody much for doing Blade in this movie. With how bad the modern day Blade movie is having a hellish time getting started. We have the one and only Blade in the building baby! Leave Blade here and I’ll be happy.

Loved the send off to 20th Century Fox. So good. Stay for the credits or miss out on that beautiful tear jerking finale.

Love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. If you’re reading this hopefully you’ve seen the movie or abouts to and are truly hyped for what’s to come.

Can’t wait to watch this again!

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Kill(Hindi) “Review”

Release date: July 4, 2024 (USA)

Director: Nikhil Nagesh Bhat

Distributed by: AA Films

Production companies: Dharma Productions; Sikhya Entertainment

This is the first Hindi movie I’ve seen in quite some time and the trailer does a good job to prepare you for what type of movie this is.

On the other hand I didn’t do my job of explaining the movie to my wife whom had a very different experience.

Let’s get into the “Review” shall we.

Kill is almost two movies which takes roughly 45 minutes to setup the movie Kill that is shown in the trailer. I was pretty much hooked from the get go with some small character setup and introduction into what “Kill” was.

I wont go into spoilers as this was a true rollercoaster of a movie but this earns its R rating for sure. Packed with SO MUCH ACTION and intense amount of gore. My wife was cringing and eerring during this movie.

Sadly though the first 45 minutes despite having my attention. Had my wife bored and asking how long has this movie been on for. Then the tables shifted as the movie “Started” and everything we’d had seen thus far was child’s play in comparison.

It would have been nice to learnt more about certain characters and their groups (Without going into spoilers). Without setup from other sources, it was confusing going in trying to understand who’s who and who belongs to who’s group. You work it out by the time the film “starts” however that could be a hurdle at first for the films pacing.

Pacing was what killed it for my wife. While I’m at an 8/9 my wife was at a 3. An hour in we get an epic sound track you expect from a Bollywood movie. We ended up coming out of the film at an 8.5 for myself and a 5 for my wife. She’d watch this on streaming where I’d be happy to watch this again on the big screen.

Sadly my local theatre ends it’s showtimes today but hopefully you’ll be able to catch it somewhere near you or on streaming at some point down the road.

Thanks for joining us here at Popped! For another Popped “Review”, Longlegs should be up this weekend and Twisters next week before we get the big chimichanga movie that is Deadpool & Wolverine :D.

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Despicable Me 4 “Review”

Release date: July 3, 2024 (USA)

Directors: Chris Renaud, Patrick Delage

Distributed by: Universal Pictures

Box office: $25.4 million

Music by: Heitor Pereira (score); Pharrell Williams (songs and themes)

Produced by: Chris Meledandri; Brett Hoffman

This will be a shorter “Review” as by now you’ve probably seen the first 3 and learnt the formula to these movies.

“Despicable Me 4” delivers another hit with its signature mix of humor and heart. This installment delights fans with a blend of new characters and beloved favorites, showcasing the continued growth of our favorite personalities.

Poppy stands out as a fantastic addition to the crew, bringing a fresh dynamic to the group dynamics. As is the summer trend Poppy has a cat which stars in one my favorite scenes.

The movie is a great fun ride that keeps audiences entertained throughout, mostly. Making “Despicable Me 4” a must-watch for fans of the series and scoring a Popped score of 8/10.

By the way, unless your little one is enjoying the minions flying/floating across the screen there’s nothing at the end of this movie. Saving you 6minutes.

Story Time

If you’d like to know a little more about this film then let’s carry on shall we.

Due to some rivalry based on an incident during Gru’s child hood. A new villain whom has his own minion army (That of cockroaches) has escaped maximum prison and is out to take Gru’s newly born baby son.

Placing the Gru family into a safe house by the AVL company. This forks our story between the Gru family living as a “normal” family with 3 assisting minions. With the remainder minion army going off to the AVL. Thus the Mega Minions were born (Queue the power puff girl theme tune).

Enjoy seeing our loveable bunch living in their new lives while flipping back and forth to our heroic minion fantastic 5 crew “Saving” the lives of everyday citizens.

Hope you enjoy and as I mentioned from the top. Another hit addition to this franchise but quite possibly the final one? Unless they keep coming up with new villains / missions this felt pretty wrapped up for Gru. Maybe the kids take over next? Another recent trend for bigger movie franchises.

Thanks for reading everyone, appreciate your time and support.

If you’re celebrating the 4th of July happy 4th everyone! For everyone else around the globe, enjoy “Despicable Me 4” only in theatres!

Popped Review – 8/10 “Despicable Me 4”

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Fly me to the moon “Review”

Release date: July 12, 2024 (USA)

Director: Greg Berlanti

Story by: Bill Kirstein; Keenan Flynn

Distributed by: Columbia Pictures

Budget: $100 million

Music by: Daniel Pemberton

With this being an early showing and yet to be released I wont go into spoilers. However the trailer does pretty much set the scene for this just over 2 hour ride.

“Fly Me to the Moon” takes viewers on a journey that’s both emotional and visually captivating, albeit with a few bumps along the way. The film’s greatest strength lies in its stellar cast, who deliver performances that truly elevate the narrative. Each actor brings depth and authenticity to their roles, making the characters memorable and relatable.

One of the unexpected delights of the film is the cat, whose presence adds a quirky charm to the story. It’s amusing to see cats becoming such a prominent feature in movies this summer, but hey, I’m not complaining! This feline actor holds its own among the human stars, providing moments of levity and even some surprising emotional weight.

The film does take its time to get going, with a first hour that feels a tad slow. However, this deliberate pacing serves to set up the second half, which is where “Fly Me to the Moon” truly shines. The buildup pays off with a gripping and impactful conclusion that is both satisfying and thought-provoking.

In summary, “Fly Me to the Moon” is a film that rewards patience. It’s not without its flaws, but with great acting and a powerful ending, it manages to leave a lasting impression. If you can appreciate a slow burn and have a fondness for well-acted dramas (and cats), this movie is worth the watch.

I was back and forth on the rating, however using my scaling chart I’d go with a 7/10 just locking in the 7 as I could see myself watching this again down the road. Great watch and excited to hear your thoughts once the movie officially releases come July 12th.

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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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