My Reviews(14)

South Park
South Park evolved from being a low-budget show filled with potty humor delivered with great comedic timing to arguably one of TV's greatest political satires. The amount of story the team behind the show can convey in a short time should be studied by story writers, and the way the show has consistently adapted its style and tone is inspirational. While not every episode provides the brilliant commentary others do, the show consistently holds the potential to drop one of its best episodes with each release.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
Besides several very entertaining action setpieces (of course accompanied by some brilliant soundtrack choices), GotG Vol 2 is a compelling look at the complexities of fatherhood. While Peter wrestles with his own identity, Yondu goes on his own emotional journey that forces him to confront his own mistakes and feelings about the foster boy he raised. Brushing aside the jokes, the movie has a lot of heart that doesn't feel nearly as forced as it does in other Marvel films, which helps push the shocking surprises and tears out of my eyes every time I watch this movie.
PS: Intro with Baby-Groot alone bumps the score up a point.

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
Val Kilmer and Robert Downey Jr.'s chemistry in the Shane Blake crime caper is filled with humor (that mostly lands), quirky characters, and a fun mystery that keeps giving its stars more and more ridiculous situations in which they can ive-aggressively disagree with each other. Pacing issues begin to drag in the film's final 1/3, but the cast makes Kiss Kiss Bang Bang worth a look.

Game Of Thrones
Despite the last couple of seasons including many questionable decisions with its character writing and twists that disappointed more than they shocked, 70% of Game of Thrones is easily considered one of the greatest television dramas of all time. A fantastic cast with layered and varied characters captivates audiences with multiple plotlines that successfully grab viewers' attention, even when their favorite characters meet an abrupt end. The way the final season killed the hype of the series may be studied for decades; it shouldn't prevent people from giving the series a chance because its first 4-5 seasons are phenomenal in many ways.

Interstellar
Even though it has an ending that takes a couple of watches to appreciate fully, Interstellar is an operatic sci-fi film that provides Matthew McConaughey the ability to prove to audiences that he can make them cry. Multiple scenes in the movie still take my breath away every time. Its twists are tragic, and Hans Zimmer again takes everything to the next level with his musical score. Interstellar is easily one of the most emotional and well-made sci-fi adventure movies in a long time.

Man of Steel
As someone who has yet to read the comics and has only a basic-level understanding of the character, I think Man of Steel is a fantastic film. Henry Cavill's performance is likable and physically exactly how I'd imagine Superman to look. The performances combined with Hans Zimmer's score and Zack Snyder's eye for action create many incredible moments that click in many ways. Also, I have to give credit to Michael Shannon's almost-Shakespearean and dramatic take on Zod, who is absolutely a villain that's a hero in his own eyes. Snyder's sequels try to do too much, but Man of Steel was an effective action flick with moments of great heart that helped it sing far more than it flounders.

Top Gun: Maverick
Decades later, few expected Top Gun: Maverick to excel as well as it did. A sequel to a corny but beloved piece of 80's cinematic history evolved into a compelling story of ing the torch to the next generation. Maverick was a visual showcase of wonderfully shot aerial action that felt even more captivating thanks to its cast. While its ending was satisfying enough not to want a third movie anytime soon, the idea of a Top Gun sequel was once superfluous. Tom Cruise may surprise us once again.

Better Call Saul
The first couple seasons of Better Call Saul suffered from minor pacing issues but during it's last few seasons it achieves a level of quality that meets and even sures Breaking Bad at times. Bob Odenkirk, Rhea Seehorn, Jonathan Banks, and so many more of the cast consistently put viewers on the edge of their seats while also filling their eyes with tears. They all deserve many awards for their performances in a spin-off series that more than proves it's worth.

The Boondock Saints
The cult classic struck a chord with an entire generation for its talented cast, sharp dialogue, and exquisite balance of humor, drama, and action. Willem Dafoe's Detective Smecker and the MacManus brothers soak up the screen with their charisma and help create a movie that is fun to watch over and over again.

District 9
District 9 is a surreal and immersive sci-fi story that effectively uses the arrival of stranded aliens to tell a story about immigration. A lot of the substance gives way to great action filled with incredible special effects to create an emotional, poignant final act. The film helped put director Neill Blomkamp and actor Sharlto Copley on the map and reminded audiences that sci-fi films could be provocative and clever in a time overrun by one-note remakes and tired sequels.

Dragon Ball Super
There is much to love about Dragon Ball Super, with its entertaining tournaments, compelling world-building, and final arcs jaw-dropping action sequences. Once the anime finishes retelling extended versions of the series movies, several arcs contain several satisfying and intense moments that thrill old-school fans and entice new fans to watch to see more. However, many of the plotlines fail to connect in meaningful ways, and character development ranges from being lacking to trying to rehash beloved moments from past series. Still, the franchise reignited a fiery ion for the franchise and helped a new generation of fans fall in love with Akira Toriyama's universe.

Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome
George Miller returns with another chapter from Max's life in the wasteland, and the director has taken everything he's learned to make Thunderdome an incredibly well-shot film with fascinating world-building for the apocalyptic Wastelands that captivated audiences from the past films. While it's not nearly as flashy and extravagant as Fury Road, its action sequences, set designs, and immaculate costumes make Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome a must-see for fans of the franchise.

One Piece (Live-Action)
An incredible amount of care and attention clearly went into creating the first season of the One Piece live-action series on Netflix, and the results are outstanding. It's a series that rewards hardcore fans with clever set designs and easter eggs for fans to recognize. While some changes to Eiichiro Oda's story were implemented to help with the live-action pacing, the series effectively captures the heart and sense of adventure that oozes from both the manga and anime. It's a great beginning to the adventures of Monkey D. Luffy and his Straw Hat Crew.

Dragon Ball Z
There are many reasons Dragon Ball Z is known all over the world, many of which include its stunning action and tension that is masterfully built up across many of its entertaining arcs. Iconic characters like Goku, Vegeta, Frieza, and many more dominate Akira Toriyama's storyline, filled with earth-shattering battles, time-traveling hijinks, hit & miss comedy, and even entertaining filler episodes that expand the series lore. While the anime's pacing can sometimes be questionable, it often helps accentuate the show's plentiful and incredible peaks.