NateD1226
Well-Known Member
May 2024 New Releases Ranking!
I know this was discussed a bit earlier, but this year is just not living up to the past couple of years. I knew the strikes were gonna have some impact, but damn it is dry so far. There are obviously some stand-outs, but it seems all the heavy hitters won't arrive until the fall. That's fine because it's all about appreciating the art no matter when it gets here, but I cannot help but feel a bit disappointed in the films that were in theaters this month, espcially after April had some stellar films. Anyway, let me not go too off topic. I caught eight new releases in May, seven in theaters and one on streaming.
8. In A Violent Nature (1.5/5)
Sigh...I really really really hate that I have this film with such a low score, but it just frustrated me so much. The horror film is all about seeing a classic cabin in the woods horror story through the killers POV. It is such a unique concept, but it does NOTHING with it. For over an hour, we just walk in the woods with this killer who brutally kills the victims. The kills are somewhat cool, but the set-up is so weak and laughable that there is no pay-off. It is obviously trying to pay homage to Friday the 13th, and there is a hint of maybe a similar plot twist occurring in the final act, but is not acted on, meaning the movie just ends. It does not help that the film literally breaks its rules for the last 20ish minutes. If you are going to use the killer POV shtick, stick to it!!! The acting is not great, and the direction is just so bleak. I am gonna wrap it up because this film really does not deserve all this. It just really upset me because the horror genre is usually so good at putting out great original stories, but this was a huge miss for me. If any of you saw this or plan to see it, please share your thoughts because maybe I just need to be pulled back into reality and stop being a pessimist about it lol
7. The Strangers: Chapter 1 (2/5)
Another horror flick being at the bottom hurts my heart, but here we are. I don't like the original Strangers movie, and this one is basically a remake of it in a modern setting, so there's that lol. The jumpscares are decent, but, just like original, the characters are even stupider and just annoyed me instead of being entrancing. I'm hoping the next two are better because, right now, it seems like this whole trilogy could be a huge waste of money.
6. The Fall Guy (3/5)
I sorta talked about this film at the beginning of the month, but this did not do it for me. The comedy was the biggest issue. I am not the biggest comedy fan, but if it it's done right then I am hooked. Unfortunately, the jokes here were a mess. Like did we really a Heard/Depp joke? Come on... I am sucker for film's about Hollywood, (Where are my Babylon fans at? One of the best movies of all time yup!!) and there were nice tidbits about the inner workings of stunt work. I would have loved more of that, but what's there was pretty strong. It is a sweet little popcorn blockbuster, but I just wanted more from it. I don't see myself revisiting it down the line.
5. The Idea of You (3/5)
This film is another one I talked about earlier, and I don't really have much more to say about it besides it is fun! There is nothing wrong with a fun little rom-com, and this was a nice time-passer. Anne Hathaway will always be one of my favorite actresses, and Nicolas Galitzine is currently on a roll with his performances in his newer movies. Is it great? Not even close. Yet, I had a fun time with it, and that's what it was made for.
4. Furiosa (3/5)
Please don't grill me for this score lol. In my eyes, Fury Road is pretty decent. I appreciate it for what it is, but I always thought it was just a tad bit overhyped. However, I remained optimistic about Furiosa because my girl Anya was in it...until she wasn't because what do you mean she doesn't appear until like 60 minutes in??? I was tired of seeing Chris Hemsworth and his character. No offense to the guy, I actually thought he did a great job, but I came here to see the story of Furiosa, and this was not that. I just accepted that maybe I don't really vibe with these movies lol. I am more of a character person, but Miller kinda focuses more on vibes and aesthetics. There is nothing wrong with that at all, but it is just not my type of movie. However, I can't deny the wild technical aspects, and Miller does not necessarily make a bad film. It is just a bit weak.
3. IF (3.5/5)
What a fun little film! I took this as a Pixar movie brought to life just because it was so heavy and emotional, which is surprising for an original live-action family flick. It is harmless in its storytelling, and it has plenty of entertaining moments. John Krasinski continues do a great job as a director, and it is nice to see an original story like this in the marketplace.
2. I Saw the TV Glow (3.5/5)
I really wanted to like this more, like I was so excited for this movie. Yet, I was just a tad disappointed in the end. Don't get me wrong, the premise is here is beautiful, and thematic messaging hits close to home. However, it sort gets lost in the sauce in the final act, feeling like there was more care for the aesthetics than the story at hand. It sucks because the first 45ish minutes are spectacular. I just wish it held on to the magic of the first half within the second half. Maybe I just need a rewatch for it to fully click.
1. Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (4/5)
Does KOTPOTA live up the 1968 original or the 2010's trilogy. Not really, but I enjoyed it! The visuals were incredible from start to finish, and the performances were even better. It a bit lengthy, making the pacing feel a bit wonky, but there is so much to enjoy here.
I swear I am not usually this pessimistic when it comes to movies lol. This month was just rough from start to finish, feeling like a step down from some of the incredible films we got the past two months. I am not sure how June is going to pan out, but we'll see!
I know this was discussed a bit earlier, but this year is just not living up to the past couple of years. I knew the strikes were gonna have some impact, but damn it is dry so far. There are obviously some stand-outs, but it seems all the heavy hitters won't arrive until the fall. That's fine because it's all about appreciating the art no matter when it gets here, but I cannot help but feel a bit disappointed in the films that were in theaters this month, espcially after April had some stellar films. Anyway, let me not go too off topic. I caught eight new releases in May, seven in theaters and one on streaming.
8. In A Violent Nature (1.5/5)
Sigh...I really really really hate that I have this film with such a low score, but it just frustrated me so much. The horror film is all about seeing a classic cabin in the woods horror story through the killers POV. It is such a unique concept, but it does NOTHING with it. For over an hour, we just walk in the woods with this killer who brutally kills the victims. The kills are somewhat cool, but the set-up is so weak and laughable that there is no pay-off. It is obviously trying to pay homage to Friday the 13th, and there is a hint of maybe a similar plot twist occurring in the final act, but is not acted on, meaning the movie just ends. It does not help that the film literally breaks its rules for the last 20ish minutes. If you are going to use the killer POV shtick, stick to it!!! The acting is not great, and the direction is just so bleak. I am gonna wrap it up because this film really does not deserve all this. It just really upset me because the horror genre is usually so good at putting out great original stories, but this was a huge miss for me. If any of you saw this or plan to see it, please share your thoughts because maybe I just need to be pulled back into reality and stop being a pessimist about it lol
7. The Strangers: Chapter 1 (2/5)
Another horror flick being at the bottom hurts my heart, but here we are. I don't like the original Strangers movie, and this one is basically a remake of it in a modern setting, so there's that lol. The jumpscares are decent, but, just like original, the characters are even stupider and just annoyed me instead of being entrancing. I'm hoping the next two are better because, right now, it seems like this whole trilogy could be a huge waste of money.
6. The Fall Guy (3/5)
I sorta talked about this film at the beginning of the month, but this did not do it for me. The comedy was the biggest issue. I am not the biggest comedy fan, but if it it's done right then I am hooked. Unfortunately, the jokes here were a mess. Like did we really a Heard/Depp joke? Come on... I am sucker for film's about Hollywood, (Where are my Babylon fans at? One of the best movies of all time yup!!) and there were nice tidbits about the inner workings of stunt work. I would have loved more of that, but what's there was pretty strong. It is a sweet little popcorn blockbuster, but I just wanted more from it. I don't see myself revisiting it down the line.
5. The Idea of You (3/5)
This film is another one I talked about earlier, and I don't really have much more to say about it besides it is fun! There is nothing wrong with a fun little rom-com, and this was a nice time-passer. Anne Hathaway will always be one of my favorite actresses, and Nicolas Galitzine is currently on a roll with his performances in his newer movies. Is it great? Not even close. Yet, I had a fun time with it, and that's what it was made for.
4. Furiosa (3/5)
Please don't grill me for this score lol. In my eyes, Fury Road is pretty decent. I appreciate it for what it is, but I always thought it was just a tad bit overhyped. However, I remained optimistic about Furiosa because my girl Anya was in it...until she wasn't because what do you mean she doesn't appear until like 60 minutes in??? I was tired of seeing Chris Hemsworth and his character. No offense to the guy, I actually thought he did a great job, but I came here to see the story of Furiosa, and this was not that. I just accepted that maybe I don't really vibe with these movies lol. I am more of a character person, but Miller kinda focuses more on vibes and aesthetics. There is nothing wrong with that at all, but it is just not my type of movie. However, I can't deny the wild technical aspects, and Miller does not necessarily make a bad film. It is just a bit weak.
3. IF (3.5/5)
What a fun little film! I took this as a Pixar movie brought to life just because it was so heavy and emotional, which is surprising for an original live-action family flick. It is harmless in its storytelling, and it has plenty of entertaining moments. John Krasinski continues do a great job as a director, and it is nice to see an original story like this in the marketplace.
2. I Saw the TV Glow (3.5/5)
I really wanted to like this more, like I was so excited for this movie. Yet, I was just a tad disappointed in the end. Don't get me wrong, the premise is here is beautiful, and thematic messaging hits close to home. However, it sort gets lost in the sauce in the final act, feeling like there was more care for the aesthetics than the story at hand. It sucks because the first 45ish minutes are spectacular. I just wish it held on to the magic of the first half within the second half. Maybe I just need a rewatch for it to fully click.
1. Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (4/5)
Does KOTPOTA live up the 1968 original or the 2010's trilogy. Not really, but I enjoyed it! The visuals were incredible from start to finish, and the performances were even better. It a bit lengthy, making the pacing feel a bit wonky, but there is so much to enjoy here.
I swear I am not usually this pessimistic when it comes to movies lol. This month was just rough from start to finish, feeling like a step down from some of the incredible films we got the past two months. I am not sure how June is going to pan out, but we'll see!
