5's 2022 film & series short reviews

Border
WOW! I really, really loved this. I can see how this Swedish fantasy-drama might not be for everyone, but I found it deeply relatable. (Yes, another "fantasy" that feels more real to me then standard dramas tend to)
In fact, it actually deals with themes weighing on my mind lately that I keep attempting to write about.
It's hard to talk about this film without spoilers, I feel. It involves a protagonist  who works for customs, who has the ability to literally sniff out wrong-doers. And as the story unfolds, it turns out she may have a link to northern European folklore.
9.5/10

X
Ti West really knows how to capture that 70's grindhouse/exploitation/Texas Chainsaw vibe in this horror flick.
A film crew decides to use a farmhouse to make a porno, and get a lot more then their rocks off!
Really well done slasher, with some unexpected meditations on aging.
7.5/10

The Mandela Effect

After the passing of a game designer's daughter, he notices that The Berenstain Bears are spelled differently then he remembers, and then comes to believe in simulation theory. If he is living in a simulation, then can it be hacked to bring his daughter back?
Eh...could be worse though. If you want a genre exploration on the subject of grief, I would recommend you watch WandaVision over this
4.5/10

Cyborg Cop 2
(I have not seen the other films in this series, just this)
So, this is not by any means a "good" movie per se, but perhaps so bad it is amusing. Which makes it difficult to rate. I dont think I have thought out how my "SBIG" scale works so, bear with me. Has a similar vibe as Project Metalbeast, but not as "good" as that one.
Don't be confused by the title, the hero is not the Cyborg Cop (I thought this would be a bad RoboCop knockoff), but the villian is. I mean I think he was a criminal who was supposed to be converted into a super solider cybog or something, but maybe ended up as evil cyborg cop. I dunno. It's silly, and if you are in the right weird mood it might amuse you too.
On the so bad it's good scale, maybe 6/10??

Lycan Colony

Yes, it's another "bad" movie, BUT HEAR ME OUT ON THIS!
I have seen many, many awful werewolf films, and this is certainly one of them, but it also made me laugh hysterically. So yes, a "so bad it's good."
So many wtf moments in this thing.
My FAVORITE scene though is when the son changed, and they gave him water and led him to the couch to sleep. I'm pretty sure that has happened to me in the past when I had too much to drink at a party.
On the SBIG score 7/10
Yes, keep in mind it's awful, but that didn't stop it from being comedy gold for me. Your milage may vary by a longshot.

Come Play

Very similar in both set up and some themes to The Babadook. Sometimes feels kinda sorta like a remake at times. Except this entity is linked to an ebook, rather then a physical one.
While I love The Babadook (it is one of my favorites of horror from the last decade or so), and this sometimes feels like it wants to be that, I didn't hate it and actually mostly liked it.
It is more of a "horror-lite," and also kinda feels like an Are You Afraid Of The Dark or Goosebumps kind of thing.
6.5/10

The Electrical Life of Louis Wain

A beautiful biopic of the artist Louis Wain. I was familiar with his work, but didn't know about his life until today. I feel his work is influential in both furry and psychedelic art, so very relevant to my interests.
Also, subtitles translate some of the cats' meows!
8/10

Pig

A truffle hunter's pig is stolen, and he goes on a quest to get her back in this drama. Visually speaking, this is a beautiful study of shadow and light. Literally I was thinking this at first, but the more I think of it, thematic-wise too.
7/10

Moon Knight
Loved this, especially with leaning in heavily into the Egyptian mystical stuff!
Fun, with some heavy emotional moments, hope we get to see more of this character/s in the MCU in the future
9/10



Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

This is going to be a difficult one to rate.
It is a fun watch, and a wild ride! It has some of my most favorite things: monsters & magic, and in spades!
As far as the film by itself goes, it's pretty good.
Now as far as how it fits into the overall MCU tapestry....I'm not sure how I feel about certain plot developments yet.
To discuss this would involve massive spoilers. Probably more of a "wait and see" kind of thing, before I get any strong opinions. Who knows what the future holds? (Aside from Feige, et al)
Please no spoilers in comments
Again this is hard to rate. I did have a really good time with it, but not sure about how I feel about some plot stuff..
7.5/10

Two conspiracy-centric comedies.






The Pentaverate
Spun off from a joke from the 90s movie "So I Married an Axe Murderer," I found this miniseries about an alleged benevolent secret society hilarious. Granted, dick, poop, and your mom jokes never get old with me, so keep that in mind. Also has a sasquatch! 8/10

Reno 911!: The Hunt for QAnon
The second full length Reno 911! movie has the gang trying to serve the one behind Q lawsuit papers on a cruise ship. If you liked the series, there is good chance you might like this. Had me giggling, but maybe not as much as The Pentaverate did.
7/10

Was in a mainlining sketch comedy kind of mood, soooo...
More like The Old Men In The Hall, amirite?
Seriously though, this is just as good as the originals that I remember. Haven't watched them in twenty-some years, but seems like no beats have been skipped. Delivered the laughs I wanted.
8/10

Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers

Closest thing to a "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?" sequel/followup. The chipmunk duo reunite to solve a mystery involving kidnapped toons. Worth it for all the references alone, if you are an animation fan. Keep your eyes peeled, it's full of background gags. And not just cartoons, but puppets and stop motion are also thrown into the mix. Thought it was fun and enjoyable. 7/10

The Green Knight

YES!
I loved this!
Pretty sure now one of my favorite generes is "dreamlike surreal fantasy," which this definitely is. Based on the Arthurian tale (which I vividly remember reading for the first time in sixth grade), Sir Gawain must hold up his end of a bargain with the Green Knight.
So beautifully done.
9.5/10

Vice

Here is some real, actual horror.
Yes, I understand watching a biopic about an awful person is not everyone's cup of tea, but sometimes the mood strikes. I watched "W." some time back, so I suppose it was time to get around to this.
As a movie it is well done, and also an unnerving reminder of the shit that goes on. So take that as a content warning. Hard to rate,  because as a film it was good, but I don't have any desire to see it again (like with "W.")
6.5/10 I guess?

Top Gun

Yes, it took me this long to see it, in part because back then I was too busy probably watching Legend for the hundred billionth time.
Love, disaster, and guilt in the 80s Air Force.
Thought it was ok. I like the theme of moving past guilt/grief and keep pushing on.
6.5/10