The Great Wall (2017)

Phil - This is not the monster hunter movie I wanted but it's the monster hunter movie I got. On paper the recipe of this movie has all the key ingredients I love. Man against monster, "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" style armies and generals, seigecraft and a dash of fantasy. Unfortunately they also added copious amounts of Matt Damon, standard dumbness, and poor CG design. The resulting movie is minor, another lump of failed potential.

 In contrast to the crap CG, the costume and set design was pretty amazing. This adds further fuel to my contention that CG departments are often incompetent, rogue entities operating outside the artistic influence of the people making the real movie. Obviously there is some coordination going on but I believe that factors such as the high cost and the inability to see the final result during filming lead to a lack of refinement in design and execution. It is a blight on the land, CG has hit a trash plateau and it's hurting a lot of big movies.

 Anyway, the dialogue was pretty silly, but it wasn't without its charms. I guggled at the surprise appearance of Willem Dafoe literally poking his head around a corner early on in the movie. And I don't dislike Matt Damon but he wasn't really needed here. Jing Tian could have easily carried this movie on her own but I have a feeling it wouldn't have reached my rural theater if that were the case and that sucks.

 Really what bothered me most was the lack of ambition, the lack of largeness. Monster Hunter (the game) is a thing that has been out in the world for a while now, long enough to have left a dent in the collective subconscious. It's a game that takes the classic Knight vs. Dragon trope to the extreme edges of plausibility. The scale and stakes of this game are so, for lack of a better word, epic that they begin to take on a primal theme: a few scrappy humans can overcome astronomical obstacles through sheer grit and determination. While there is a HINT of that in this movie, it never really gets there. It instead opts for battles in a style that seems to say, "I saw the battles in Lord of the Rings and decided to do that, except half as intense and twice as dumb." That's mean but this movie really disappointed me, it's budget was 150 million, all the LotR's budgets were under 100 million, there really was no excuse to be almost cool but actually kinda lame. 6/10

The Garden of Words (2013)

Jaiden - Hands down THE most beautiful animation/film I have ever seen. This short makes Studio Ghibli films look like a Saturday morning cartoon. Every single shot was simply breathtaking. The ONLY thing that distracts me is Japan's standard choppy animation. But hey, I can't expect them to change that. So for what this short film is, It's beautiful, immersive, and touching. Flawless. 100% (out of 100).

Train to Busan (2016)

Alex - A Korean zombie flick that actually does a decent job at trying to put its own unique spin on the tired formula. A workaholic father reluctantly agrees to take his daughter to see her mother living in another city. As they board the train, the outbreak is just starting, and about 75% of the film is on this train where an infected got on board. Though it has some cliches you'd expect, it also throws in a heathy dose of K-drama and a pinch of K-humor to keep things rolling. In the end, I wasn't left with a feeling like I wasted my time. 7.5/10

Hell or High Water (2016)

Alex - My only exposure to Chris Pine have been the Star Trek films, which I think he does a fine job. But when I heard he was in a serious film, and that film was getting rave reviews, I was a bit unsure. Well, Chris Pine can act. He does an excellent job alongside Ben Foster and Jeff Bridges.  The story centers on two brothers who are robbing banks to pay off a debt to save their mother'a farm. Bridges is the cantankerous lawman on their trail.  An overall fine film with good performances. 8/10

Asperger's Are Us (2016)

Nick - The first comedy ensemble to include only people with Aspergers, that's Asperger's Are Us. I first heard about these guys in a podcast, all four were on promoting their comedy shows and this documentary. They had a very funny sense of humor, dry, witty and fun of puns. The documentary touches on the relationship of the troupe members and the preparation for their last live show before they're off to college and what have you's. One thing I liked was that the film maker didn't rely on any cheesy V.O but instead let the subjects tell the story. Honestly I feel like every documentary should be this way if it's subjects are alive to tell their tale. The story offers such a small glimpse into a very interesting dynamic and condition these guys share that it really did leave me wanting to dive deeper into what exactly makes these guys motivated. I guess that means I have to look these guys up.. 7/10

The Magnificent Seven (2016)

Nick - I've never been thrown so much on a opinion of a movie as much as this one. A lot of up's and downs.. sadly the downs out weigh the up's. It's a remake of a remake of a remake so it's kind of easy to be unoriginal. But I mean c'mon.. this felt like a rehash of every western i've seen and I haven't seen more than 10 westerns. I haven't even seen the original Magnificent Seven! A forgettable depiction that's no where near being a definitive option. 5.5/10 

Catch Me If You Can (2002)

Nick - There's something about watching a professional do their job that makes me feel tingly inside. That's essentially what this entire movie is and because of that it holds a special place in my heart. To top it off it has my favorite actor playing the friendly antagonist. I'm not going to go into too much since this is the probably the 5th time i've rewatched. Love this movie. 10/10

The Visit (2015)

Jaiden - I never was a fan of M. Night. Shyamalan. Signs and the village nearly put me to sleep. I figured I just wasn't into his stories or directing. But I gave 'Split' a chance, and I actually liked it. But 'The Visit' is what made me have a change of heart for M. Night films. Knowing nothing about it, I didn't really know what to expect.Man was it scary. Watched this at night (great idea) and it took me forever to fall asleep because my heart was still beating rapidly! I'm a sucker for scary movies and this hit all the right notes for me. Its more of a drawn-out horror and BOY did Shyamalan pull it off. I couldn't think of anything wrong with it except for ONE scare which I was mad about. -.- It was dumb.

      So watching it, I was kind of excited to see it was (sort of) one of those found-footage films. I know a lot of people hate them, but I love em.  They add this different type of immersion to them, and I find it really interesting, and different (I'll always love you, Cloverfield). And they don't make me sick, so, good for me, eh? Even IF you are sickened by a shakey camera, have no fear, this movie is shot really smoothly. Often is the camera rested on a table or something. The handheld camera "gimmick" fits really nicely for this setting. It wouldn't have been as great without it, honestly. There were a few moments in these found footage movies where you question how/why certain things were filmed, but I cut them some slack, because for the most part, (enough of) their actions are justified especially in this film.

   Terrifying experience, and it was great. I give the Visit a 90% (out of 100 percents).

Alex - All "found footage" movies are inherently flawed. In order to convey enough information to the viewer, the "camera" must continue to record even during the most inopportune times. But if you're willing to except this flaw, some "found footage" films can actually be pretty good. This brings us to The Visit, M. Night's first film after becoming a Hollywood dumpster fire. His return is most welcomed. I really enjoyed this film. Yes, there are implausible scenes and yes, there are a few things that might not click together. But overall, I had a lot of fun watching it. Two kids go to visit their grandparents for the first time. Strange things start happening. Soon they are in peril and must figure out what the heck is going on with their crazy grandparents.  In some of M. Night's better films, he'll include a standout scene  that is quiet and understated, typically a still shot (or in this case, a very slow zoom in), using only the actor's ability to convey everything. The Visit has a very powerful scene involving the young girl being questioned by her brother. That scene alone was worth it for me. There are a few genuinely creepy scenes and a couple jump scares thrown in for good measure. 8.5/10

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Previous watched

Nick - 7.5/10

Ally - 9/10

The God of Cookery (1996)

Nick - This was a non reluctant rewatch of one of the funniest Stephen Chow movies. If you're a fan of over the top and slapstick comedy this movie is gold. Seriously can't recommend this enough. I will warn that the production of this movie is on the cheaper side. If you can look over that than you'll be golden.  8/10

Split (2017)

Nick - I feel like M. Night has come across some aspiring event or thing that's pushed him into a stint of great storytelling. This movie does take a turn eventually (as expected) but like his last movie The Visit, M. Night has managed to surprise me and keep me extremely entertained. Plus that ending! Oh that ending.. 7.8/10

Alex - Let's be upfront for a minute. Other than Unbreakable (which I loved), I thought most of M. Night's film were good but with horrible twists (Village, Signs). I stopped watching his films as he quickly transformed into a Hollywood punchline.  M. Night was his own worst enemy. However, I heard he made a decent comeback with The Visit (need to watch that one) and when I saw the trailer for Split, I was on the fence. 5FAW's very own Nick convinced me it was worth a view and so I went.

Split is exciting, tense and well-acted. McAvoy is utterly fantastic. His performance alone is worth the price of admission. And I'll leave you with this:  those last 10 seconds....

Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011)

Nick - I have to admit, i'm a sucker for third act confrontational show downs and this movie did not disappoint. Although, it did disappoint in other areas such as the cheesy dialogue, convenient storytelling and terrible casting on the son. That kid is unbearable to watch let alone listening to him talk. The most unbelievable and annoying character in the movie, it almost ruined it for me. Thank goodness for Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone. I think I'll watch La La Land again to get my Gos' and Stone fix. I'm not sure what else to say, this movie has already left my mind, if it weren't for writing this review and that third act reveal I would have already forgotten its existence. 6.5/10

Groundhog Day (1993)

Levi - Groundhog Day was great! I enjoyed the Fantastic character arch for Phil as he wakes up everyday, at first cynical and hated, to humble, generous, appreciated and happy. You felt his frustration when he had good days, to see them melt away as if they never even happened, and the futility of trying everything in his power to escape it, and yet waking up everyday I'm the same situation. Hey that's like a metaphor for life, huh? Ah well, c'est la vie. 9/10

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Previously watched

Nick - 9/10

Pineapple Express (2008)

Nick - It's good to revisit some of your favorite movies from time to time, whether to dwell on nostalgic feelings or check in to see if these movies still hold up. Pineapple Express still holds up and can still make me laugh out loud so many times. Literally a stoner comedy by not taking itself seriously but still delivering a solid story, Pineapple can be held up as one of the best ones out there. I still quote this movie and watching it again reminded me of quotes I forgot that i'll definitely be using. 8/10