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Also know that all the movies I rate 10/10 are not necessarily that good. 10/10 means perfection and perfection doesn't exist so I only give 9/10 to movies I believe are objectively "perfect". The few ones I give 10/10 carry some personal emotional meaning for a reason or another that is very subjective.
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Less popular but great sci-fi movies
Reviews
Scanners (1981)
It was good for its time but is showing its age.
I remember seeing it as a kid and liking it but upon re-watching it now, its flaws are a bit too obvious. First, a few things do feel pretty old and almost take an unintended humorous aspect because of it. Then the level of acting is pretty subpar across the board... Michael Ironside is the only one who is pretty decent and even then you can tell that it's early in his career. That said there is a lot to like too. It has a decent plot and the usual Cronenberg themes are present and fit well with the story. Without spoilers I would say that one of the most interesting things about the movie to me is the ending, and the questions it raises that may make you re-think about the movie in a different way after that fact. All in all, not sure it deserve its cult status, but still a good watch for fans of the genre who are craving to watch a classic.
My Old Ass (2024)
Very cute and original, so close to be an 8/10 for me.
I went in mostly because I really like Aubrey Plaza but she doesn't have that big a role in this. But that wasn't an issue because the rest was great. Also, I was expecting something different, maybe more of a comedy. But again I ended up pleasantly surprised by this cute coming of age story and its original gimmick. All the actors were great and there is some great cinematography throughout. And while the directing is overall very good, I found the pacing to be pretty uneven too many times, which is why I only give it a 7/10 instead of an 8. It may sound minor but it made me start to lose interest in some places, even if it reeled me back in promptly. All in all I still strongly recommend it.
The Book of Eli (2010)
I really like it despite the little flaws.
I remember really liking it when it came out and I still think it's a great movie upon re-watching it. Fantastic acting and beautiful cinematography support the very decent directing, all of it working well together to make up for the minor flaws. While I don't necessary agree with others about the plot being too simplistic, there are undeniable questionable holes throughout the movie. However, as a lifelong hardcore atheist, I also do not understand the people hating on it because of the religious themes; in my opinion they are just part of the story and this is in no way propaganda. All in all a very well done post-apocalyptic tale I recommend.
School of Rock (2003)
Still great 20+ years later!
I was afraid this movie had aged but I was glad to realize it's still very enjoyable. I would even say one of my favorite Jack Black movies; even if his usual antics tend to annoy you, he's a bit more restrained and/or it fits the role a bit better here so you might be ok with that. I really wish I could give it a 7.5 because a lot about it is very predictable as is usual with this type of comedies so I can't go as high as 8/10 but for this style it really has a peculiar charm that makes it more than a 7/10. And of course, great soundtrack. All in all, a very fun and entertaining watch for the family.
The Substance (2024)
One of those "know before you go".
I'm aligned with a lot of the reviewers: great concept treated in an original fashion supported by fantastic acting. First 2/3 of the movie are great, though I still have a few issues with some of the directing choices, but it completely goes awry in the final third part. Mostly though, I think it's the way the movie was presented and how it starts that do not prepare you for what I think is the intended experience. Most of us expected a rather serious movie with a sci-fi/horror premise while it's very clear that it's one of those movies that are pure allegory and metaphors and should absolutely not be taken at face value, but appreciated for its interpretation. It so happens that it's not the type of movie I like so I would have passed if I had known in advance. But if that's your cup of tea and you go in knowing so, you might appreciate it more than I did.
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2 (2015)
Good conclusion.
If you are watching the whole series, you really can't skip this conclusion. And while it's pretty decent, it is definitely the weakest of the 4 movies (I would have given a 6.5/10 if it were possible). It's not a bad movie, but it does have flaws the others don't have. For one, while I've never read the books I understand there are 3 of them, and splitting the last book into 2 movies really feel like trying to milk the franchise. They managed to give Part 1 decent pacing but Part 2 feels unnecessarily drawn out for no reason; they could have easily made the 2 into one solid conclusion. And while it feels too long overall, some key moments feel rushed at the same time. So just lower your expectations so you can enjoy the end of the story accordingly.
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 (2014)
Not as great as the previous 2, but still a great movie.
It definitely doesn't have the novelty factor of the first two movies, but it's still very well done. While it's a logical continuation of the story, it takes the entire premise in a very different direction. It does make sense from a story perspective but the result is more of a movie about revolutionaries than a survival game. It is very powerful but it does feel like it's been done many times before, especially around real events/revolutions that have happened and make for much more meaningful stories. That said, everything is top notch, from directing to storyline and acting so I still highly recommend it.
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)
As good if not better than the first movie.
Re-watching the whole series, I still think Catching Fire is not only as good as the original but even slightly better (I wish I could give an 8.5). It keeps building the world (though I would have liked to see more of that) and does a great job at preparing the story to take the direction it does in the 2 following Mockingjay movies. Great directing and pacing with solid acting performances from all, just as in the first movie, but it's supported by far superior special effects bringing action and immersion to the next level. I'm glad I'm finally re-watching the whole thing and I highly recommend you do too!
Don't Look Up (2021)
A great watch, in the most frustrating way.
I can easily see why people on a certain side of today's political climate might not appreciate this movie, as it openly criticizes them; so take that as you will. On my end, I found this movie to be fantastic satire about the current state of affairs. While the premise is not overly original, the way it's treated, supported by a fantastic cast doing an excellent job, just elevates the whole thing to an extremely engaging watch. However if you share my sensibilities, you may find yourself absolutely frustrated and wanting to scream at the screen as it hits a bit too close to home and could easily imagine this happening in real life. Still, highly recommended.
Deja Vu (2006)
Great thriller with sci-fi flair if you take it as it is.
I'll start with the biggest issue most people have with this movie: you need a healthy amount of suspension of disbelief to enjoy it. The sci-fi parts of the movie are not very sound and it's easy to be bothered by the plot holes it creates if you focus on that a bit too much. But if you just take it as they barely explain it in the movie, then it's a pretty well told story, with great directing and pacing, and acting to match it. If the sci-fi elements had been a bit more polished a la Christopher Nolan I might even have given this movie an 8/10 as it is greatly entertaining and kept me engaged from beginning to end.
The Hunger Games (2012)
Still great upon re-watching it.
I've never read the books and when it came out I was quite biased knowing the story was from a "young adult" novel, and I wasn't necessarily a big fan of Jennifer Lawrence (she has since grown on me as a great actress). So I was very surprised coming out of the theater and thinking it was a fantastic movie. Since I'd like to watch the recent one from 2023 I thought it was time to give the whole series a re-watch and see if aged well. I'm glad to say it was as good as I remembered. I'm sure "the book is better" like it's often the case but as its own thing, this is a very well done movie I highly recommend.
The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
30+ years later, still a great thriller.
Some classics have not aged that well but The Silence of the Lambs is still a solid watch after all this time. Sure, certain elements feel a bit cliché now, but that's because what was fresh in this movie has been overdone at this point. There are also a few misses in the directing in my opinion, but nothing major that should deter anyone from watching it. And of course there is the awesome performance from Anthony Hopkins everyone knows about by now. Even though I've watched it a few times over the years, it was still a very pleasant re-watch that kept my attention from beginning to end. Highly recommended to new and repeat viewers alike!
The Invention of Lying (2009)
Lighthearted, entertaining, and cute.
The original premise is what made me want to watch this movie. They certainly don't use the opportunity to explore that concept in depth, but I don't think that was the point of the movie. It's true that at times it feels like something that could have been a fun 45 minute episode of a short story type program that has been drawn out to a movie length, but overall I didn't find myself necessarily bored at any point. And I actually liked the sprinkle of rom-com on top of it. Plus there is a very solid supporting cast that just adds to the experience. So that's an entertaining watch with a fun message; recommended!
Cape Fear (1991)
Another classic that doesn't live up to its reputation.
This movie always comes up in various lists of "best thrillers" and the likes, so I had to give it a go since I had never gotten the chance to watch it before. Unfortunately, it was a bit of a let down. First the obvious watching this in 2024: it definitely shows its age. From weird transitions to overly dramatic zoom-ins and rather simplistic "scary" music, the whole thing feels dated. And even though Robert De Niro delivers a great performance, it's a bit wasted on a script that is not very consistent and never manages to fully pull you in. Add to this a few scenes unnecessarily drawn out and it ends up being a bit boring at times.
The Woman King (2022)
I liked it a lot for what it is.
I have heard all about how historically inaccurate this movie is, but not being familiar with the topic myself, it doesn't bother me that much. The setting is merely a backdrop for the actual story; they could have used some completely fictional African kingdom and tribe for all I care. I thought it was well-written, very-well directed, and the actors are doing a great job. That is not to say I don't agree with some other flaws mentioned (male characters are a bit one-dimensional, the strange choice of giving everyone an accent, etc.) but overall, it's a great movie highlighting some important themes and I highly recommend it.
The Wild Robot (2024)
Dreamworks at its best.
This is an awesome movie the little ones will love taking it at face value, and the grown ups will appreciate for the layers, emotion, and themes addressed throughout the story. Of course the animation is flawless but it hardly comes as a surprise these days. I disagree with some critics deploring the lack of character depth. However, I can see how some people might find it overly sappy, and some of the moral a bit ham-fisted; this is why I am giving it an 8/10 instead of a 9. But if you let a bit of your inner child help you overlook these minor faults, you will have an amazing time; if you're like me you might even get a bit misty-eyed...
Eternals (2021)
It really is not that bad..
Is it one of the best Marvel movies? Obviously not. But it's far from being the worst. I don't understand why it got destroyed by critics and the public when it came out; judging by the decent IMDB score now, I think some people are giving it a fairer chance. It has a decent plot for this type of movies, most of the actors are great, and there is the usual quality of action scenes and CGI that's now expected of MCU movies. And I had some genuine laughs at the comedic relief (Kumail Nanjiani's character and his sidekick). It is a bit long but I really didn't feel it was slow or dragging on; rather, there are scenes/characters that could have been removed as they don't bring much. All in all quite entertaining for what it is!
Stalker (1979)
I can't believe I sat through the whole thing.
Ok so, again I am about to write an unpopular review but here we are. This is another one of those movies that can only be appreciated by film students and like minded individuals, those who can take it as a higher form of abstract art; that is the only plausible explanation I have for this to constantly be so highly rated. For the rest of us commoners, this is just 2h45 of absolute slow torture. I spent the whole time waiting for something, anything, to happen, and it never came. So obviously I do not have the understanding or capacity to see what all the fans of this movie are seeing. But there is one thing for sure: this is always listed as one of the best sci-fi movies ever made but whatever this movie is it is definitely NOT sci-fi in the least.
300: Rise of an Empire (2014)
Not worth it.
I recently rewatched the original and I thought I would give this a try; I was never really interested in it but the ratings seemed ok. It really wasn't worth it as it's merely a pale copy of the first one to try and milk the franchise. Everything that was over the top in the first one to give it its unique style just feels like a parody here: ridiculously grandiose speeches, cheesy acting delivery, color saturation, overuse of CGI, etc. I give it some props for some of the fighting scenes that are well executed and would have fit well in the first movie. But other than that I found myself bored most of the time. You can skip it.
Alien: Romulus (2024)
On par with the recent Alien movies.
I found Alien: Romulus to be in line with Prometheus and Alien: Covenant, nothing more, nothing less. It has all the good, familiar elements of an Alien movie even if it has many of the flaws of modern movies in general, especially if you compare it to the original Alien movie for example. The directing and pacing are very decent for the rather simple plot (as should be the case for an Alien movie), and the actors are doing a good job even if these are not out-of-this-world performances. But if you like the 2 previous movies you will mostly likely like this one as well, so I would recommend it.
Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)
Everything I wanted it to be!
I am a very long time comic book fan so I am 200% the target audience for this movie, which makes it hard for me to review this objectively. If this had been the very first Deadpool movie, I would have given it the 10/10 rating I only reserve for movies that cause a strong emotional reaction even if it's not objectively good. But we've had a couple of Deadpool movies already and I knew what we were getting. That said, it is excellent on all points for what it's trying to be and to do; definitely the culmination of everything they set out to be when they made the first Deadpool. Absolute fan service and I'm here for it; and even casual superhero enthusiasts should enjoy it!
Barbarian (2022)
Not usually into scary movie, but this is a good one.
I don't care much for horror/scary movies but the high ratings for this one intrigued me. And I must admit it was pretty good! I am not sure I agree with most reviewers saying the second half is less good than the first, I think it does maintain the same quality level throughout, personally. It keeps your attention and does deliver a fairly satisfying conclusion in line with what the movie is about. Sure there might be some plot holes, inconsistencies, and a need to keep a strong suspension of disbelief but in my opinion that is very often the case for this genre so it shouldn't come as a surprise. All in all, entertaining.
Woman of the Hour (2023)
I wanted to like it more.
I like Anna Kendrick in general and was excited about her directorial debut. One of the issues is I didn't know this was from real life events. So I was waiting for the movie "to start" as it felt like a very slow to start movie from beginning to end, with "the big thing" never really happening. But there is only so much dramatization they could do from a real life story I guess. Overall it's well acted and directed, but I still feel they could have written it in a way that made it a bit more gripping.
Mostly though my disappointment is due to the fact that, not knowing it was a real story, I thought it would go in a totally different direction once it reached the dating show part. Like she somehow would be made aware one of the dudes is a serial killer and through witty questions make him out himself; in fact I wish that had been most of the movie, sort of like a psychological thriller Slumdog Millionaire meets the finale of A Few Good Men. And in my head that sounds like a really cool movie I'd love to watch. Unfortunately with that in mind, this one ended up a bit of a less exciting ride for me.
300 (2006)
Not for everyone but a great watch nonetheless.
I never got to watch it again after seeing it in theaters when it came out, and I remember loving it. I can see why it might not be everyone's cup of tea but there are so many iconic things about this movie for a reason. They knew exactly what they set out to be: a theatrical reproduction of a graphic novel, and they masterfully succeeded. Of course it's not historically accurate, there is no elaborate plot, and it's stylish to the point of parody at times. But that is exactly what this spectacle wanted to be, no more, no less. And 18 years later I found it as visually delightful as I did when I first saw it. Highly recommended (to the right audience).
Instant Family (2018)
Touching movie for the whole family.
I was curious about the unusually high rating for that type of movie and now I understand why, even if personally I didn't think it was that exceptional. But I get why a lot of people can have a very strong positive reaction considering the topic if you factor in the fact that it is also very well done. It's touching without being sappy, funny without being overly comedic, and overall very well acted. Now my personal reason why I don't give it a higher score is that it does follow the classic formula of similar movies, and it's extremely predictable. That being said, you can still definitely enjoy the ride!