Movies: Last Movie You Watched and Rate it | {Insert Appropriate Seasonal Greeting Here}

[HanSolo]

John Wick Part 4:

I didn't really want to see this but my brother insisted. He made me watch the third movie in preparation and I already wasn't feeling that one. This was more of the same but on a grander scale. I'll start with positives and say that the fight choreography, sets, and cinematography were all actually pretty strong. The problem is John Wick as a concept becomes less and less cool the more they build out the lore of this alternate reality where seemingly half the world's population are part of this assassin underworld. In the original, things were just vague and mysterious enough about said underworld that it was intriguing but the more they built it out like a mega expansive secret society with all these factions and laws and loopholes to those laws the more absurd and convoluted everything became. Which is made even more ironic by the fact that the writers seem to understand that the mystery behind that secret world was it's biggest strength so they still intentionally fail to properly explain so many things, while simultaneously stretching the wider scope thin.

And then I understand that the only way to credibly make the John Wick style action work is with bulletproof clothing, but it got super tedious to watch what is basically repeated martial arts fights with the added twist of 10-12 bullets needed for a combatant to finally die. And when you have so much action going on, it gets really tedious after a while. And it doesn't help that Wick is able to fall out of a third story window, break his fall with his ribs on the rim of a truck, and then continue walking to the final battle. I don't even care if I'm spoiling things, these movies are well past trying to be tethered to reality and they've veered head first into sheer absurdism while still wearing a cloak of serious story telling.

And the thing is I can enjoy a preposterous narrative world. But you can't start the story somewhat grounded and rooted in reality only to shift your world into a live action cartoon and not expect people to experience some disconnect. I enjoyed the entire Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy as chock full of sci-fi impossibilities as it's filled with because the first movie sets the parameters for how its world works. The Wick movies have gone batshit insane trying to raise the stakes with each iteration.

And the last thing I'll rant about is something I already touched on, but there's too much f***ing action. The movie is very close to a three hour runtime because there are at least five extended long take action sequences of non stop action. I like action movies. Sometimes there's too little action, this is the first movie where I legitimately thought to myself "it's too much f***ing action. " I kept looking at my watch as Wick was engaged in high octane combat and kept thinking to myself at somepoint you want some earned payoff from an action scene. By the end I was relieved it was over and could not help but laugh to myself at how little I could feel anything when the movie made a half assed attempt to close the story out with some emotional moments.

These movies are not campy enough to enjoy for camp's sake, and are too ridiculous to be so self serious.

I know these movies are supposed to be "turn your brain off and enjoy the ride" but all the same, I f***ing hated it and I wish that if I was going to burn 2hrs and 48 minutes of my life, that I'd just rewatched Guardians of the Galaxy 3 instead. /rant

3.5/10 with points for the aforementioned positives only. f*** this movie.

 

[End of Line]

Is Air the new movie of the week?

It’s on Prime so why not watch lol

 

[Puck]

Does anyone know why there are so many 3 hour long movies lately?

I think I would be satisfied with a 2-hour long only John Wick film. I have not seen it yet however I am sure I will enjoy it nonetheless.

There are some spoilers in the next article, it tries to explain the last scene (so be careful). I will only cut and paste the last paragraph (no spoilers) that attempts to encapsulate Wick in its conclusion.

Naturally, anyone who’s watched even a single John Wick movie has asked themselves the question: what does this man keep fighting for? The exhaustion is absolutely palpable in every scene and the sheer amount of stamina with which John Wick clings to life in spite of everyone trying to kill him wherever he goes hurts to even watch. Chapter 3: Parabellum attempted to answer that with three words from Wick himself: “To remember her.” Wick, like Camus’ version of Sisyphus, knows that he’s damned, with nothing left to live for. His only conciliation and the reason he continuously drops so many corpses on top of one another is for the sake of preserving his dead wife’s memory.

The Hidden Meaning of the Staircase Sequence in ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’

John Wick is an action icon, but he's also the modern-day star of a mythological cautionary tale.

collider.com

(Oh and they killed his dog in the first movie, they never should have killed his dog)

p.s. someone mentioned that maybe one reason there are more 3 hour movies is that with fewer people going to theatres, they keep people there longer to try to make more money on the concession stands? Projectors are automated now so they don't have to pay projectionists any extra overtime

 

[OzzyFan]

It’s on Prime so why not watch lol

I saw it a month and a half ago, I understand why people liked and disliked it. It's well cast, fun, fast paced, feel good, funny, nostalgic, and an underdog/history-impacting story worth telling, but entirely fleeting popcorn entertainment.




Ikiru (1952) (subtitles)
3.50 out of 4stars

“A Japanese bureaucrat tries to find meaning in his life after he discovers he has terminal cancer.”
An excellent drama that is both existential and socio-political. It’s a beautifully thoughtful and in-depth examination on the meaning and value of life. Powerful enough to make one reflect on their own being. The film examines nightlife/fleeting-pleasures, companionship/friendship, job choices, financial impact, mindset, and familial relations/motives among other things. It seems to profess being a master of one’s own life and not a slave. As a whole what I took from the film is that the essence of life is an invaluable gift where one should always have vitality and exhibit passion in everything they do, enjoy everything they do, be proactive, have some form of companionship, and do something(s) or create something(s) that aids other people in some way. It feels cumulatively like a higher state of mindfulness with a touch of kindness thrown in. And of course stressing the fact that one should be at peace with their life and be “proud” of it if they looked upon it, for one can die at any time, immediate or far far away. Politically, it clearly shows the failures of the government especially in regard to their main purpose of serving the people and giving them a better quality of life, including but not limited to healthy living conditions, livable wages, and public recreational areas. The government is shown to have cumbersome processes, be full of robotic workers that maintain the status quo, and people acting in their own selfish interests (or special interests). The story is brought to life very well in the lead by Takashi Shimura as well. And I am completely shocked that at some point doctors, at least in Japan, apparently did not disclose terminal cancers to their patients upon diagnosis/detection.

The Thin Man (1934)
3.20 out of 4stars

“Former detective Nick Charles and his wealthy wife Nora investigate the murder case of a wealthy businessman’s girlfriend and former secretary, mostly for the fun of it.”
A great comedy mystery with a fun playful air with a twisty mystery full of characters. Carried by the very witty and seemingly perfect chemistry duo of William Powell and Myrna Loy, while oozing tons of charisma as well. The dialogue is sharp, fast, and memorable. The mystery is the “main story”, but feels like a side attraction or device to use for Loy and Powell’s stranglehold on the film. Also the mystery feels a bit convoluted, but does it’s job in the film. I know we had a Myrna Loy fan lurking here at one point, but I don’t recall seeing that poster in a year or so I believe.

The Iron Giant (1999)
3.15 out of 4stars

“In 1957 Maine, a young boy befriends a giant robot from outer space that a paranoid government agent wants to destroy.”
A great animated sci-fi tale that is a meaningful commentary about technology and war told through a “child endearing” kid-robot friendship story. Purposely set during the Cold War panic and littered with reflective references/attitudes, it shows the ignorant aggressive hostility that occurred during this time. Isn’t it ironic how humanity tries to create peace through war and estrangement? The film is more personal than that too. It’s about the morality choices we all have, for good or bad with the cards we are dealt, no matter how small or grand our potential and reach is. Whether from the child’s point of view in the film and his influence on the Iron Giant and his immediate surroundings or the Iron Giant’s point of view with his impact on the world. In an ideal world, advanced technology and supreme powers would be used for purely good and not towards wasteful/death-inducing armed/mass-destructive forces (or even selfish luxuries/preservations for that matter), and acceptance or even compromise would defeat ego on a large and small scale.

 

[kihei]

The Thin Man (1934)
3.20 out of 4stars
I know we had a Myrna Loy fan lurking here at one point, but I don’t recall seeing that poster in a year or so I believe.

I'm not the poster you are referring to, but I'm also a fan of Myrna Loy. She looks like she would have been fun on dates.

 

[Unholy Diver]

Fools Paradise 7/10

Not the Charlie Day performance that I expected

 

[Spring in Fialta]

@Pranzo Oltranzista I haven't written a review yet but The Invention of Morel is an incredible book. Different from what Robbe-Grillet ended up doing, but there's lines/concepts where I think you can pinpoint what may have inspired his own style.

 

[Pranzo Oltranzista]

@Pranzo Oltranzista I haven't written a review yet but The Invention of Morel is an incredible book. Different from what Robbe-Grillet ended up doing, but there's lines/concepts where I think you can pinpoint what may have inspired his own style.

I'm reading it too. The only stylistic elements I can really link to RG's style are repetition and perspective (in Morel, the latter being the result of the former) - the novel being kind of a sci-fi variation on the classic fantastic tales, with the (self-declared) subjective account of the experience. It's a classical approach that's really far from RG, but I can see where Marienbad took form, in themes. Anyway, a pretty good book indeed.

 

[Chili]

The Grand Illusion-1937 (subtitles)

A WWI prisoner of war film based on an amalgam of memoirs from actual p.o.w.s. The director Jean Renoir himself was a pilot in the war (like William Wellman). The setting is Germany, 1914 and a couple of p.o.w. camps for officers. For the most part the prisoners seem well treated as long as they avoid what is verboten. From the books I have read, the film captures a tone of mutual respect at that time early on between many on both sides of the conflict. There isn't alot of action until later in the film and no trench scenes. The film builds nicely though as it develops the contrasting characters eventually leading to an inevitable escape attempt. Found the film to be more of a human story within the larger framework, realism over sensationalism. Thoroughly enjoyed the film.

The Post-2017

Based on the Washington Post's coverage of the content of the Pentagon Papers and Katharine Graham's memoir. The power of the press and their decisions to publish or not to publish. Wonder how many stories like this never see the light of day for whatever reasons? Alot of memories of All the President's Men watching this film, Remember working in a similar styled office, back in the day. Probably less noise in a barn full of chickens. Found the story compelling and well told.

The Bedford Incident-1965

Cold war spy film set off the coast of Greenland. A stern ship's captain (Richard Widmark) believes there is a nuclear sub in the area and is determined to find it. Two new arrivals board the ship, a cool scene as they descend from a helicopter, a doctor (Martin Balsam) and a magazine reporter (Sidney Poitier). The two quickly learn, the Captain is not keen on either one of them being there. There are many great shots of the hunt through the icebergs as tensions mount. Get a kick out of Marlon Brando's good bud Wally Cox's voice. And a very brief Donald Sutherland sighting. Well done psychological drama.

 

[Spring in Fialta]

I'm reading it too. The only stylistic elements I can really link to RG's style are repetition and perspective (in Morel, the latter being the result of the former) - the novel being kind of a sci-fi variation on the classic fantastic tales, with the (self-declared) subjective account of the experience. It's a classical approach that's really far from RG, but I can see where Marienbad took form, in themes. Anyway, a pretty good book indeed.

I agree with this. The story itself isn't repetitive but the plot concepts within it/theatrics are somewhat easy to pinpoint where Robbe-Grillet got tingled. It's very interesting in the sense that the plot and turns of the story seem to have influenced his technique more than the prose itself. His style plays out how Morel's machine does.

 

[The Merchant]

Finally got around to it. While it didn't quite live up to the expectations I had set for it after the overwhelmingly positive buzz, it was still a really fun time. Highlighted by some standout performances (especially by the mother) and some wickedly creative effects, it was more than worth the watch despite feeling disappointed by the overall lack of scares.

Solid 7/10

 

[ItsFineImFine]

Dark Waters (2019) - 8/10

Ah shit, now have to go get a reverse osmosis filtration system installed in my drinking water. This is a fairly conventional investigative/lawyer sort of film similar to the Bronkovich/Spotlight type. A bit of obvious exposition and overdramatization in several parts but it's pretty effective at what it's going for and sharply made. Tbh I think it might be a better Ruffalo film than Spotlight.

 

[kihei]

Fast X (2023) Directed by Louis Letterier 4A

I enjoy this franchise. Fast Five even made my best of year top twenty list in 2011. But Fast X is the first part of whiat could be a three part trilogy, and there is an awful lot of fat on the bone here. We are introduced to the new villain, and that's about it. Dante Reyes is out for revenge and Jason Mamoa has a field day flamboyantly chewing up the scenery; he's easily the highlight of the movie. Other than that, the movie is noteworthy for uping the ante on cloying sentimentality. Enough with the family bit, Dom. There are also a bunch of useless guest star appearances that serve no purpose whatsoever. And the film accomplishes almost the impossible--a franchise famous for its Looney Tunes approach to physics, which has always been a big part of its fun, finally goes too far over the top in a way that not even the Roadunner could tolerate. In past excursions the films were directed with real care so that, say, you could actually believe in the moment that a giant safe could be towed through the streets of Miami at break-neck speeds. But director Louis Letterier is no Justin Lin. Fast X has some good action sequences such as an attack on the Vatican by a wrecking ball bomb, but in general the CGI mayhem and explosions look unconvincing in the extreme. The big final set piece becomes so unbelievable even by the broadest cartoon standards that it spoils the fun and left me feeling letdown by how poorly thought through and amateurishly executed the whole sequence was from start to finish. Hopefully, the plot will kick in more rigorously in the second fillm, but Fast X is a bad way to begin what looks to be a very long goodbye.

 

[Babe Ruth]

Spread (2009)

A cynical LA story.. Basically depicting a food chain of users & predators. Ashton Kutcher is pretty good as a young grifter/gigolo. I recognized there was a scene filmed on my old street in Hollyweird (which was cool & nostalgic), but (to me) the movie is depressingly authentic about predatory lifestyles.
I appreciate this movie, but just no feel goods.

 

[ItsFineImFine]

Guardians of The Galaxy 3 (2023) - 7/10

I thought here we go again at the start of this. Another new Marvel film which goes balls to the wall right from the get-go without really setting up a villain and you feel tired just in the first 15 minutes with the amount of tedious scene switching rather than story but it eventually finds its groove. Its strength is clearly the characters and the humour which James Gunn relies on between them. By far the most emotional of his Guardians films though similar to the first 15 minutes of the movie, the last 15 are a bit exhausting in terms of him hammering you over the head with those emotions.

He's reliant on some fairly basic tropes here, the overrated villain is never really established and just appears being both the easy-to-hate villain due to animal cruelty and adding the trope of orphans on top of that. He ends up defeated in a scene that's a letdown yet is still one of the better recent Marvel villains since Infinity War which says all you need to know. There's one really solid hallway scene amongst a lot of bad CGI fights. Ultimately this film though gives a bit of what was the strong feature of earlier Marvel films which did a better job of moving the story for both villain and main characters forward at a steadier pace and strong character chemistry with some decent action. Hopefully it's closer to a return to form rather than a last light for now but The Marvels trailer before the film suggests it's probably not the latter.

 

[OzzyFan]

Memento (2000)
3.50 out of 4stars

“A man with short-term memory loss attempts to track down his wife's murderer.”
An excellent neo-noir mystery psychological thriller with an outstanding concept, script, and ending. Guy Pearce in the main role is fantastic, supposedly with a true to life portrayal as he is both determined and distant. The non-linear narrative structure of unraveling the story in both chronological order from the beginning and backwards order from the film’s true ending while meeting in the middle, reflecting our protagonist’s perspective while creating a memorable experience to go with the film’s puzzle. It’s an engrossing experience that makes the audience analyze the film's details and subject matter, thus there is a ton of food for thought. The film is about memory/knowledge, grief, trauma, obsession, truth/uncertainties, consciousness, time, and more than a handful of other things I can’t mention without giving away the film, just to give you an idea of how expansive the movie gets on a thinking scale if you really dive in (during and afterward). Great dialogue and easter eggs also occur throughout with many things lingering in the mind. Surprised to see that in a rather mediocre year for the Oscars that this didn’t get more nominations because it works well in so many areas and ways.

Mildred Pierce (1945)
3.25 out of 4stars

“A hard-working mother inches towards disaster as she divorces her husband and starts a successful restaurant business to support her spoiled daughter.”
A great melodrama noir about the dark sides of the American dream, centered around a driven mother, spoiled daughter, and some shady men. Showcases Joan Crawford in an Oscar winning turn as the lead. Opens and ends superbly with murder mystery circumstances, as the flashback middle tells a story of one mother’s extraordinary journey from raising 2 daughters in a debt ridden/poor broken household to a successful chain restaurant owning entrepreneur alongside her interpersonal relationships. The central theme is how a mother tries to buy the love and acceptance of her daughter instead of trying to correct her behavior and ideals while also spending more time raising and teaching her. We also see our protagonist’s romantic and professional relationships attract corruption as well from her wealth. Metaphorically, this hints at how such a mentality creates a dysfunctional world of greed, manipulation, idolatry, excessive expectations, emptiness, and immorality. Specifically, it hints at how more money or financial obsessiveness, especially if achieved through heavily time consuming hard work, isn’t necessarily the best thing for creating a better life for your children/family or yourself. Our protagonist becomes distracted from living and being her true self from this lifestyle. Psychologically the film has the great question of why the mother acts this way, with many possibilities and no clear explanation in sight. The film also dabbles on topics of power dynamics, gender roles, and old money vs new money.

The Big Gundown (1967)
3.10 out of 4stars

“An unofficial lawman and would-be senator is tasked by a railroad baron with hunting down a knife-wielding Mexican peasant accused of raping and killing a young girl.”
A great spaghetti western with a lot to offer next to its political overtones and justice theme. Morricone score, solid direction, lots of action, humor bits, tense sequences, well shot scenery, and a lot of surprises along the way on the adventure. The main characters even go beyond their archetypes with nice development, with Van Cleef being great and Milian fantastic as the expressive, sly, and charming man on the run. Quite ironic that the film is essentially about “guilty until proven innocent vs innocent until proven guilty” as that scenario plays out on a whole and microcosmically throughout, and how the people high and low within determine and enforce it.

 

[Chili]

The Big Heat-1953

Classic noir of an honest cop (Glenn Ford) falling into a den of corruption. The film starts off with a suicide and slowly leaves clues as to the reasons behind it. Mostly off camera but a very violent film, especially towards women. Love Gloria Grahame in this film as the femme fatale and girlfriend of the nasty thug (Lee Marvin). Well done story but violent.

Cowboy-1958

Jack Lemmon in a western? Huh? A tenderfoot (Jack Lemmon) makes a deal with a trail boss (Glenn Ford) to go on a cattle drive. He wants to prove to a girl (the one time Mrs Marlon Brando, Anna Kashfi) that he's a man. I thought this would be more of a comedy but it is a serious drama directed by a veteran of the genre, Delmar Daves. Have believed Jack Lemmon could be convincing in just about any role, he proves it here. As a fan of the tv series Rawhide enjoyed this film. Realistic western.

Topkapi-1964

Beautifully photographed heist film, set in Turkey. Melina Mercouri, Maximillian Schell and their gang meticulously plan a caper to steal a valuable emerald dagger. Many awesome shots around Istanbul of the ancient buildings and culture. Jules Dassin knows how to film a heist scene (i.e. Rififi) and the one in this film is very impressive. The score sets the tone well. Nice mix of comedy and drama as the gang tries to stay one step ahead of the authorities.

 

[MetalheadPenguinsFan]

2/5

Compared to “The Mummy”, both my wife and I thought it f***ing sucked.

 

[shadow1]

Murder to the Tune of the Seven Black Notes, aka The Psychic (1977) - 6/10

A psychic's visions lead to the discovery of skeletal remains in the wall of her new husband's house.

Jennifer O'Neill stars as Virginia, a clairvoyant who has been experiencing visions ever since she was a child. While her husband Francesco (Gianni Darko) is away on a business trip, Virginia begins having visions of a crime and discovers a skeleton hidden within the wall of a recently renovated room of her husband's mansion. With the help of Francesco's sister Gloria (Evelyn Stewart) and paranormal research friend Luca (Marc Porel), Virginia sets out to unmask the killer using her visions of the crime...

Murder to the Tune of the Seven Black Notes was directed by Lucio Fulci, and written by Fulci, Roberto Gianviti, and Dardano Sacchetti. Fulci and Giaviti had collaborated before on films like 1972's Don't Torture a Duckling, but it was the first collaboration between Fulci and Sacchetti, who would later work on films like 1982's The New York Ripper. Coming out in the heart Fulci's most prominent giallo era, how does The Psychic hold up?

Pretty well. Murder to the Tune of the Seven Black Notes sets up the crime and suspects well, allowing for a very easy watch. Many giallo films begin with someone witnessing something, but not realizing what they really saw until later. This film does this in a unique way, with Virginia's visions slowly becoming more understandable over the course of the film. Jennifer O'Neill is in nearly every scene and carries the film with a good performance.

If there's one area to nitpick about this film, it's a somewhat slow middle section. Unlike many films of the genre, the killer isn't actively hunting, so the events play out more of a straight up investigation of a cold case. However, even though the solution to this film's mystery isn't the most jaw dropping I've ever seen, the end of the film is extremely memorable and worth the wait.

Overall, Murder to the Tune of the Seven Black Notes is a solid giallo film. Though it's not one of the best of the genre, it's definitely a recommend for fans who've seen the more well known giallo films and are looking for more.

 

[KallioWeHardlyKnewYe]

The Mummy. (the Brendan Fraser one). On paper this is a movie I should love, but I never have. There's an era of CGI roughly from Jurassic Park to Spider-Man 2 that I think has largely and aggressively aged poorly. Bad or dated FX don't often bother me, in fact, there's janky stuff from the 80s going back that I find charming and additive to the experience. But I still struggle with the gorging on early CGI that happened in the period above. Bad eye lines. Bad compositing. Weightless. Chintzy. This isn't the worst offender, but it's a large reason why this is always going to be just ok to me. Unless I ever get nostalgic for that era's effects. But that hasn't happened yet.

Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. The Four-Loko of movies. Fun and "craaazy" when I was in college. I don't hate it now and there's still small enjoyment to be had. But I grew up.

Layer Cake. Proof that Matthew Vaughn was probably the real power behind those popular early Guy Richie movies. Style and cool, but with less quirky tics and less self-satisfaction with those quirky tics. It amused me that young Tom Hardy and Ben Whishaw are in this but they're in opposite roles for their future personas. (Hardy is a brainy chemist, while Whishaw is a nervy low wannabe gangster).

Royal Warriors. This 1980s Michelle Yeoh action movie kicked my ass. Some truly dynamite action sequences (at least one actually involving dynamite) and a fascinating mix of tones from lighthearted rom-com shenanigans at times to dark, no-punches-pulled violence.

Merrily We Go To Hell. Speaking of a mix of tones! Pre-code film from pioneering filmmaker Dorothy Arzner begins with all the energy and charm of a high-society set romance but gradually becomes something much heavier. It is a deceptive (in a good way) and impressive feat. I think the last 10 minutes undercuts everything that comes before (and feels a little like studio interference) but it's a remarkably adult and cutting take on relationships for the time.

Macbeth. (The Polanski one). I've seen this three times now and as sacrilege as this may sound I think this is Polanski's best movie. It's stunning to look it. Beautifully (and horribly) rendered. Feels like a culmination of a lot of ideas and themes he played with in previous films. Genuinely hard to separate the on screen violence from the Tate murders (this was his first movie after that), which adds to its power. Brutal and gruesome.

 

[ItsFineImFine]

No Bears (2022) - 6.5/10

Find an Iranian film that isn't high stakes life or death challenge. In this one you get a 2 for 1 actually.

 

[Pranzo Oltranzista]

Ok, let's dump all of this here - no comment, not much to say on any of these anyway.

Black Adam: 2.5/10
Triangle of Sadness: 8/10
Ant-Man and the Wasp: 2.5/10
Die Hart: 2/10
*Glorious: 4.5/10
*Underwater: 4/10
Guardians of the Galaxy: 4.5/10
Guardians of the Galaxy 2: 4.5/10
Guardians of the Galaxy 3: 4.5/10
The Enforcer: 3/10
Superbad: 4.5/10
Soft & Quiet: 5/10

*Discussed briefly these two in the Lovecraft thread.

(I guess there's quite a lot to say about the last one, I just don't feel like it right now... anybody else saw this?)

 

[ItsFineImFine]

I don't think modern superhero films or even just blockbusters are for you mate might wanna skip those.

I'm into them and even I skipped Black Adam cos the reviews were bad.

 

[Pranzo Oltranzista]

I don't think modern superhero films or even just blockbusters are for you mate might wanna skip those.

I'm into them and even I skipped Black Adam cos the reviews were bad.

I rarely have the time/energy to watch real films nowadays, I mostly watch those lighter or crappy films at night to fall asleep. Now I'm into a MST3K phase.

But thanks for your concern!

 

[KallioWeHardlyKnewYe]

I rarely have the time/energy to watch real films nowadays, I mostly watch those lighter or crappy films at night to fall asleep. Now I'm into a MST3K phase.

But thanks for your concern!

Just watched Albert Pyun's The Sword and the Sorcerer. Genuinely enjoyed it. Not good but also not bad-good. That weird netherworld of having obvious flaws but a fun sincerity that keeps it afloat.