NormSawIt

Monkey Man -
I appreciate that Dev Patel pretty much does everything in front and behind the camera for this. There are some decent action scenes in this but it doesn’t really do anything special and suffers from some really bad pacing. 2/5

Civil War (2024) -
Surprisingly more intense than recent horror movies with how the weapons, violence and characters are presented. Unforgettable encounters in this! Definitely see this as big and loud as possible. The soundtrack adds so much to this crazy experience too! 4/5

Late Night with the Devil -
Captivating watch and a unique premise made this one of the better possession movies I’ve seen in years. Really enjoyed the practical effects (the AI generated title cards not too necessary to this) Also, Berwyn, IL was mentioned in this!  4/5

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire -
Has some pacing issues and really felt like a half step for the main story but it does also feel like a monster of the week episode like the cartoon. I loved the expansion of the ghost science and gadgets like the Ecto-C! Cant wait for more ‘bustin in the future! 3/5

Immaculate -
Predictable yet fun enough nun horror with a tiny bit of Suspiria ramp up sprinkled in. The scream scene is quite memorable and is the best thing in this. Some of the obvious imagery and actions in this are pretty funny too 2/5

Love Lies Bleeding -
A gay, super sweaty, vein popping, very physical and intense movie with awesome and fun performances, especially from Katy O'Brian and Ed Harris. Has an ok story with some lulls though.  I can’t wait to see what’s next from Rose Glass! 4/5

Kung Fu Panda 4 -
“Rules of the streets” and “wonton wonderland!” are now things in the Panda universe. 😄 Wasn’t ready for the rock cover at the end credits. Really loved the Asian actor cameos in this! It also has some really good animations too. Darn those 3 evil bunnies 4/5

The Beekeeper -
Gotta appreciate a movie that’s so stupid and fun because they took the most over the top and entertaining option at every turn. Classic Statham action! 4/5

Next Goal Wins -
Sweet and light hearted comedy, Taika’s wheelhouse really. Has some laughs and fun characters. It just has a really generic sports story but no surprise there. 3/5

Dune: Part 2 -
Beautiful and mind blowing sci-fi! Some new awe inspiring stuff while also paying homage to sci-fi past. The ensemble cast with these film artists is just illegal. Cant wait to see what’s next! As a treat, go see this in the grandest and loudest way possible 5/5

Drive-Away Dolls -
Fun 80 minute movie that’s got a wacky, generic, super horny, and queer story. Some really hilarious lines in this with a really questionable souther accent! Really good cast having fun making this too. 3/5

The Taste of Things -
Didn’t expect this to be 30% sweet love story and  70% French food porn. They go all out making the food in this, it’s really impressive. The story itself is generic but heartfelt. 3/5

Madame Web -
Must be seen to fully appreciate how bad this actually is. Such a good cast and all they get to do is need to be saved. The dialogue is on the level of the resident evil 1 game. I don’t even know what choices were made in the post production for the main villain. 1/5

Argylle -
An ok spy movie that feels a tad bit too long. Great cast getting to do some fun action antics. Has some terrible pg-13 violence and tons of questionable CG. Probably had the most durable cat back pack in movie history 2/5

Lisa Frankenstein -
Really fun and entertaining dark comedy that has some hilarious shenanigans. Kathryn Newton picking really fun roles that you can tell were fun to shoot. Has some fun physical comedy too! Good directorial debut for Zelda Williams! 3/5

Godzilla Minus One Minus Color -
I appreciate the 70th anniversary throwback to black and white kaiju but after seeing this originally in color, this is missing a ton of beautiful detail. Kenji Noda is still my favorite side character in this! 4/5

The Zone of Interest -
Haunting depiction of detachment from actions with horrifying sound that was elevated by seeing this in a theatre. Its imagery is burned into my head. Glazer really discombobulating you as you watch this. 5/5

Migration -
A decent duck animated movie. Fun to see Kumail get a lead role. So much bird craziness sprinkled in with some fun random dark birds. Some of the animation was pretty too. 3/5

All of Us Strangers -
Very effective use of 1 on 1 intimate conversations/scenes. I can only describe the writing for this movie is as close to learning about a character in the style of a novel. Andrew Scott’s performance is outstanding in this. 4/5

Top 11-20:
American Fiction
Beau is Afraid
Blackberry
The Boy and the Heron
The Creator
Dream Scenario
Godzilla Minus One
How to Blow Up a Pipeline
Joy Ride
Outlaw Johnny Black

My Top 10 Movies of 2023:
Anatomy of a Fall
Barbie
Infinity Pool
John Wick: Chapter 4
Killers of the Flower Moon
Oppenheimer
Past Lives
Poor Things
Talk to Me
Theater Camp

Exorcist: Believer -
A generic possession movie with 2 demon girls doesn’t need to be 2 hours. One moment a character talks for way too long for what just happened to them. The demon makeup is always cool and there are some very tiny hints of a good story buried within. 2/5

Strange Way of Life -
Super horny, angry, passionate ACTING with amazing lines. Of course I wish we got to see more than 30 minutes. Such a fun time!
The Human Voice -
Tilda’s talent spotlighted in these 30 minutes, especially having a one way conversation isn’t easy to pull off.

It Lives Inside -
Good to see Indian characters and mythology represented in horror! The “haven’t slept in days” look is hilariously over the top. A friend said “wrap the jar in bubble wrap” and the way it breaks is 😝. Acting and story are ok in this with barely any scares. 3/5

Dumb Money -
Great cast with good performances. The GameStop stock story is told in a fun way in this. Roaring Kitty and everything around that name is hilarious! 3/5

The Creator -
Beautiful nonstop sci-fi action that’s epic in scope set in a fully realized original world, which makes for a really good/fun movie. It just doesn’t reinvent the sci-fi wheel but that’s not a bad thing! See this in the loudest and largest screen you can! 4/5

A Haunting in Venice -
Great excuse to shoot some on location scenes in a beautiful city. This movie is gorgeous and the larger screen format really helped. The cast is ridiculous but the story is just ok. 3/5

Outlaw Johnny Black -
Seconds into the trailer a friend said this is “Black Dynamite on a horse” and yes it definitely is. Not as ridiculous as the previous Jaigantic movie but all in on the spaghetti western and really funny. Some of the best lines are said off screen too! 4/5

Bottoms -
Ayo Edebiri showing, yet again, how talented she is just from the nuances she brought to her character. Amazing adlibbing from the cast, especially Marshawn Lynch! Also, top notch writing and directing by Emma Seligman and Sennott as expected. 4/4

Golda -
They went so far into military planning footage in Golda’s late life that they forgot about the storytelling element to the movie. Very difficult to follow along and placing context to what we’re being shown. - 2/5