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B-
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Five Nights at Freddy's
(2023)
|
Sean Chandler
|
A video game adaptation made overtly for the fans and only the fans. Newcomers will be totally lost, but it's target audience should have fun.
Posted Nov 21, 2023
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B+
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Leo
(2023)
|
Sean Chandler
|
Thoroughly entertaining action film. It's filled with tracks which initially struck me as cheesy, but which I went home and started listening to on loop.
Posted Nov 21, 2023
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B
|
Tiger 3
(2023)
|
Sean Chandler
|
A solid continuation of the series which unfortunately soured me a bit on the film with some 3rd act choices.
Posted Nov 21, 2023
|
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B
|
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes
(2023)
|
Sean Chandler
|
Solid return to Panem. Most of the movie delivered what I was wanting. But this feels like a rare example of a film which would have been better served split into two films. The odd structures causes the film to run out of momentum long before it's over.
Posted Nov 20, 2023
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C
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The Marvels
(2023)
|
Sean Chandler
|
While Iman Vellani is an absolute delight as Ms. Marvel and the film is superficially fun, the story and tone are a complete mess. It feels like big chunks of the movie are missing. The movie never figures out what it wants to be or where it's going.
Posted Nov 08, 2023
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|
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Taken
(2008)
|
Sean Chandler
|
A perfectly effective escapist fantasy for dads. It may stick to the formula, but with Liam Neeson in the lead it absolutely delivers what the target audience desires.
Posted Oct 13, 2023
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|
C+
|
Pet Sematary: Bloodlines
(2023)
|
Sean Chandler
|
While there's some interesting ideas presented with the mythology, it lacks the emotion of the original story. In place of the exploration of how far you would go to bring back a loved one is a series of generic creepy sequences and action movie tropes.
Posted Sep 28, 2023
|
|
A-
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The Creator
(2023)
|
Sean Chandler
|
While it may wear its influences on its sleeve, it's an original sci-fi epic delivering gorgeous visuals, emotions and a massive story.
Posted Sep 28, 2023
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B+
|
Saw X
(2023)
|
Sean Chandler
|
Defying all odds, the 10th Saw film might be the best one yet. By finally putting Jigsaw as the lead, it feels the franchise has found its stride again. It has all the nasty traps a Saw fan wants, but also the strongest story and characters.
Posted Sep 28, 2023
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B+
|
Gran Turismo: Based on a True Story
(2023)
|
Sean Chandler
|
A classic, feel good underdog story. It may follow the formula, but it does so to great effect.
Posted Aug 26, 2023
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|
|
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem
(2023)
|
Sean Chandler
|
A delightful update of the long running franchise.
Posted Aug 18, 2023
|
|
C
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Meg 2: The Trench
(2023)
|
Sean Chandler
|
There's some superficial fun to be had, but there's absolutely nothing clever or original about the film. I get that it's dumb fun, but this feels like they're going for the bare minimum.
Posted Aug 18, 2023
|
|
C
|
Heart of Stone
(2023)
|
Sean Chandler
|
Like far too many Netflix original films, "Heart of Stone" is a star studded, big budget, slickly produced mediocre film.
Posted Aug 18, 2023
|
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B
|
Blue Beetle
(2023)
|
Sean Chandler
|
While Blue Beetle tells a familiar story, it still manages to distinguish itself by putting the focus on the lead character's family.
Posted Aug 18, 2023
|
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B
|
The Beanie Bubble
(2023)
|
Sean Chandler
|
. While it's a bit too superficial to be truly great, it's still an entertaining look at the Beanie Baby craze of the 90s. Zach Galifianakis brings all his usual charismatic energy and humor to a different type of role.
Posted Jul 31, 2023
|
|
C+
|
Barbie
(2023)
|
Sean Chandler
|
While the film is often funny, clever, and insightful, it's also so over-crowded with ideas and subplots that it resorts to simply preaching its message to resolve the story.
Posted Jul 20, 2023
|
|
A-
|
Oppenheimer
(2023)
|
Sean Chandler
|
One of today's most interesting directors tackles one of the most important events in human history in a thought provoking and compelling fashion.
Posted Jul 20, 2023
|
|
B-
|
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny
(2023)
|
Sean Chandler
|
While the franchise might not be ending on a high note, that doesn't make the film entirely bad. It's great to see Ford in the fedora again, and he carries more emotional weight in this film than ever before.
Posted Jul 13, 2023
|
|
B+
|
Extraction 2
(2023)
|
Sean Chandler
|
2023 looks to be an amazing year for action. While the strict is straight forward, Hemsworth and director Hargrave deliver some of the best and most memorable action sequences of the year.
Posted Jul 13, 2023
|
|
B+
|
Sound of Freedom
(2022)
|
Sean Chandler
|
A powerful, tense thriller which manages to tackle sensitive subject matter without getting exploitive. There are some pacing issues and the film would have been better 20 minutes shorter, but it's also one of the most impactful films of the year.
Posted Jul 13, 2023
|
|
C
|
Insidious: The Red Door
(2023)
|
Sean Chandler
|
A disappointing continuation of the franchise. While it's nice to see the characters from the first two films return, the movie spends too much time reminding the audience of the previous films and not enough time moving the story and mythology forward.
Posted Jul 13, 2023
|
|
A
|
Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning, Part One
(2023)
|
Sean Chandler
|
Tom Cruise does it again. Dead Reckoning combines the fun of Ghost Protocol with the vast world of the last two entires and of course it delivers top notch action. Despite a runtime over 160 minutes, the film flies by and never drags.
Posted Jul 13, 2023
|
|
A-
|
The Flash
(2023)
|
Sean Chandler
|
While the CGI leaves much to be desired, the story delivered all the laughs, action, fan service, and emotion I was hoping for. I had a blast.
Posted Jun 14, 2023
|
|
A
|
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
(2023)
|
Sean Chandler
|
A triumph on every level. It features truly ground-breaking animation, and it tells a story with both personal and epic stakes.
Posted Jun 02, 2023
|
|
B
|
The Super Mario Bros. Movie
(2023)
|
Sean Chandler
|
The script may be thin, but getting to spend 90 minutes in this world of Mario certainly put a smile on my face and made me feel like a kid again.
Posted Apr 19, 2023
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|
A-
|
Guy Ritchie's The Covenant
(2023)
|
Sean Chandler
|
Ritchie delivers his most mature film yet. Without relying on his usual bag of tricks he delivers a thrilling and entertaining movie about the lengths two men will go to to do the right thing.
Posted Apr 19, 2023
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B+
|
M3GAN
(2022)
|
Sean Chandler
|
A surprisingly effective and clever killer doll film. M3GAN instantly leaves her mark and solidifies herself as a new horror icon. But the real surprise is all the extra layers and ideas about technology, grief, and taking the easy way out.
Posted Mar 24, 2023
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C+
|
Shotgun Wedding
(2023)
|
Sean Chandler
|
What should be a fun adventure doesn't quit hit the mark. Duhamel feels horribly miscast which leads to a rom-com where the comedy doesn't land and the leads have no chemistry. It's watchable, but totally forgettable.
Posted Mar 24, 2023
|
|
C-
|
We Have a Ghost
(2023)
|
Sean Chandler
|
While I thoroughly enjoyed the directors previous few films, this movie was a total misfire. The movie is so over-stuffed with subplots and ideas that none of them get developed. It's neither scary or funny. And the attempts at emotion feel manipulative.
Posted Mar 24, 2023
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B+
|
Creed III
(2023)
|
Sean Chandler
|
After nearly 40 years, this franchise is still punching. This time around they prove the series can work without Rocky or Stallone. The real standout here is Jonathan Majors who plays one of the best antagonists in the series.
Posted Mar 24, 2023
|
|
B-
|
Cocaine Bear
(2023)
|
Sean Chandler
|
While I wish there was more time with the bear and less time with the very large cast, but it still just barely delivered enough schlocky fun to keep me entertained for 90 minutes.
Posted Mar 24, 2023
|
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B+
|
Scream VI
(2023)
|
Sean Chandler
|
Another solid entry in the consistent franchise. By moving the action to New York City it adds just enough newness to keep things fresh in the long running franchise. This time around the kills are also a lot more brutal.
Posted Mar 24, 2023
|
|
C
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65
(2023)
|
Sean Chandler
|
"65" is from the writers of "A Quiet Place," but it lacks any of the creativity or emotion of that film. The film wastes all the potential world building in the setup, and instead delivers a bare bones "get from point A to point B" movie.
Posted Mar 24, 2023
|
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B
|
Shazam! Fury of the Gods
(2023)
|
Sean Chandler
|
It lose some of the charm of the original by focusing on bigger set pieces, but it still delivers plenty of laughs, action, and emotion.
Posted Mar 24, 2023
|
|
A-
|
John Wick: Chapter 4
(2023)
|
Sean Chandler
|
John Wick Chapter 4 combines all the best elements of the previous films, and delivers a truly WOW inducing experience. Every single action sequence is distinct, memorable, and features stunt work and effects never put on screen before.
Posted Mar 24, 2023
|
|
B-
|
Devotion
(2022)
|
Sean Chandler
|
The two leads and battle sequence are just good enough to help overcome the film's narrative shortcomings. The movie seems unsure of how to translate the inspiring real life events into a focused narrative.
Posted Nov 22, 2022
|
|
C+
|
Strange World
(2022)
|
Sean Chandler
|
While I appreciated the world building, style and genre, the movie struggled when it came to the characters, story, and heavy handed themes.
Posted Nov 21, 2022
|
|
B+
|
Ticket to Paradise
(2022)
|
Sean Chandler
|
Ticket to Paradise may stick to the formula, but the star power makes the film highly enjoyable.
Posted Nov 09, 2022
|
|
B+
|
Black Adam
(2022)
|
Sean Chandler
|
What Black Adam lacks in originality, it makes up for in entertainment value.
Posted Nov 09, 2022
|
|
A-
|
Weird: The Al Yankovic Story
(2022)
|
Sean Chandler
|
An appropriately hilarious and ridiculous parody of musical biopics.
Posted Nov 09, 2022
|
|
A-
|
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
(2022)
|
Sean Chandler
|
Despite being dealt a terrible hand, Coogler manages to deliver a cohesive, emotional, and satisfying follow up to the first film which ends MCU phase 4 on a high note.
Posted Nov 08, 2022
|
|
C-
|
Halloween Ends
(2022)
|
Sean Chandler
|
The creative team clearly didn't have a trilogy worth of ideas. So Halloween Ends is left spinning it's wheels until the final 20 minutes. There's a few cool kills and some satisfying moments, but the story and storytelling did not work for me at all.
Posted Oct 13, 2022
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|
|
The Menu
(2022)
|
Sean Chandler
|
A delightfully sharp comedy that never over-plays it's jokes.
Posted Oct 04, 2022
|
|
|
Hunt
(2022)
|
Sean Chandler
|
While it does require you to pay close attention, Hunt is a satisfying mix of espionage thriller and John Woo-esque dynamic gun play (minus the slow-mo and doves).
Posted Oct 04, 2022
|
|
|
Bones and All
(2022)
|
Sean Chandler
|
A love story that's as disturbing as it is beautiful.
Posted Oct 04, 2022
|
|
B
|
Project Wolf Hunting
(2022)
|
Sean Chandler
|
Project Wolf Hunting is a wild, unpredictable ride. What it lacks in narrative flow and character development, it more than makes up for with absolute violent insanity. If you want some satisfying carnage candy, this movie is for you.
Posted Oct 04, 2022
|
|
B
|
Hellraiser
(2022)
|
Sean Chandler
|
The latest Hellraiser benefits greatly from a more focused mythology and putting the Cenobites front and center in the story. It may not have the impact of the original, but it's a solid re-imagining.
Posted Oct 04, 2022
|
|
B-
|
Sick
(2022)
|
Sean Chandler
|
While I wish the middle act did more with the covid hook, the film is effective enough as a slasher and clever enough with it's covid references to recommend.
Posted Oct 04, 2022
|
|
|
Werewolf by Night
(2022)
|
Sean Chandler
|
Werewolf By Night is one of MCU phase 4's biggest risks, but also one of it's most pleasant surprises. Marvel's tribute to classic monster movies is violent and refreshing. My biggest complaint is that I wish there was more of it.
Posted Sep 28, 2022
|
|
B
|
Terrifier 2
(2022)
|
Sean Chandler
|
Terrifier 2 is just as brutal and bold as the original, but it's also bigger and better. If the first film gave us a new horror icon, the second gives us a new iconic final girl.
Posted Sep 25, 2022
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