ruleof3bobby

[ruleof3bobby]

MY OLD ASS (2024) Grade: B-

Clever and funny with surprisingly strong character development — I really enjoyed this one. It puts a fresh spin on the genre.

The script is sharp and witty, packed with smart dialogue that actually serves the story rather than just going for laughs. The third act is a standout — tense, satisfying, and capped off with an ending that sticks the landing.

Smart and worth your time.

[ruleof3bobby]

THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS (2025) Grade: B-

Visually, it looked great — the action scenes that are there are slick and well-executed. But there just weren’t enough of them. For something that sells itself as action-comedy, it’s surprisingly light on both.

The comedy felt flat, and the pacing lagged in the middle. It really needed one more big action set piece to keep things moving — and a stronger twist at the end to leave a lasting impression.

Stylish, but ultimately undercooked.

[ruleof3bobby]

ALL THE OLD KNIVES (2022) Grade: C

It’s definitely a slow burn — but the problem is, the story isn’t compelling enough to earn that kind of pacing. It meanders more than it builds, and the tension never really pays off.

The twist at the end? Just okay. No big reveal, no jaw-drop moment — it lands with more of a shrug than a punch. It's a slow ride, warning.

[ruleof3bobby]

WILD BILL (1995) Grade: D-

I didn’t like much of anything here. The editing felt amateur — choppy and distracting in ways that pulled me out of the story.

A couple of the leads do give solid performances, trying to rise above the material. But the direction overall leaves a lot to be desired. The tone is inconsistent, the pacing is off, and the vision just never feels clear.

A few decent moments buried in a rough, poorly executed package.

[ruleof3bobby]

PARALLEL (2018) Grade: C

It starts off strong — the opening hook really works and pulls you in. But from there, it all starts to unravel.

The story takes some odd turns and tries to cram too much into too little time. Instead of building momentum, it feels rushed and unfocused, like it's juggling too many threads without fully committing to any of them.

Ending was flat.

[ruleof3bobby]

SIGNIFICANT OTHER (2022) Grade: D+

There’s actually some interesting structure and story beneath the surface — you can see what it was aiming for. But the execution is hit-or-miss.

Some scenes land well and keep you engaged, while others feel flat or drag the momentum down. Never fully clicked into place.

Decent concept, average delivery.

[ruleof3bobby]

EDMOND (2005) Grade: C-

Felt way too similar to Falling Down — almost like a rehash without the same bite or originality.

William H. Macy was solid, though. He brings depth and restraint to a role that could’ve easily gone off the rails. Easily the best part of the film.

The horror elements, on the other hand, just didn’t work.

Honestly, this probably works better as a stage play.

[ruleof3bobby]

LICORICE PIZZA (2021) Grade: B-

There’s definitely some quality filmmaking here — great production value, strong direction — but it’s simply too long. Several sequences drag, and you can really feel the runtime.

What keeps it watchable are the characters. They’re interesting enough to pull you through the slower moments, even when the plot starts to sag.

And thank God for Bradley Cooper. His performance injects some much-needed energy into the film — every scene he’s in pops. without him, it might’ve been a slog.

Worth a watch, but bring some patience.

[ruleof3bobby]

BILLIONAIRE BOYS CLUB (2018) Grade: D

A messy script weighed down by uneven performances. The film struggles to find a consistent tone, and by the time it hits the third act, everything starts moving way too fast — to the point where it barely makes sense.

[ruleof3bobby]

BLACK BOX (2020) Grade: C

Very inconsistent overall. It had some interesting elements and flashes of potential, but it never fully came together.

Seeing Phylicia Rashad was a highlight — I wish she had more screen time.

The twist might’ve hit harder if it had been introduced earlier — and by the time we got there, the ending felt like writing on the wall.

A few strong moments, but not enough.

[ruleof3bobby]

EQUALS (2015) Grade: C

Couldn’t get into it. The story is predictable and feels like a watered-down remix of Gattaca — borrowing the aesthetics but missing the intrigue. It lacks that subtle allure of mystery that made Gattaca so compelling.

The world-building feels thin, the emotional stakes never really land, and the ending falls flat. Stylish, maybe — but empty.

[ruleof3bobby]

BILL & TED FACE THE MUSIC (2020) Grade: D

Unless you’re already a die-hard fan of these guys, this isn’t the movie that’s going to win you over. It leans hard into silly and corny — and not in a charming way.

The humor feels dated, the chemistry forced, and there’s little here to hook a first-time viewer. It’s a nostalgia play that assumes you’re already on board.

[ruleof3bobby]

ABIGAIL (2024) Grade: B-

If you go in blind — no trailer, no spoilers — this could really hit as a great movie. The setup plays well if you don’t know what’s coming, and even if you do know the twist, it’s still a fun ride.

What works is that it doesn’t take itself too seriously. There’s a self-awareness to the tone that keeps it entertaining without trying too hard to be clever. And surprisingly, the third act isn’t as predictable as you’d expect — it pulls a few moves that keep things fresh.

Not perfect, but a good time — especially if you’re willing to go along for the ride without overthinking it. Good casting as well.

[ruleof3bobby]

STRANGE DARLING (2023) Grade: B

I honestly wasn’t into it at first — it took a little time to find its footing. But by the end, I couldn’t get enough. The story keeps you on your toes the whole way through.

It’s a great example of how to do a low-budget thriller right: tight pacing, focused storytelling, and a sense of tension that builds steadily.

Also, #GiovanniRibisi did the DP work, which looked great!

[ruleof3bobby]

THE CROSSING GUARD (1995) Grade: C-

A complete miss.

What could’ve been a raw, emotionally charged drama gets lost in odd editing choices, a muddled script, and a downright cringeworthy ending.

The tone is all over the place, and the pacing suffers for it.

[ruleof3bobby]

COLD BROOK (2018) Grade: C-

A small, feel-good film that’s easy to watch — and just as easy to forget. It’s pleasant enough in the moment, but leaves no lasting impression.

The best part is the three leads, all familiar faces from better-known projects. They have solid chemistry and do what they can with a lightweight script, but the material doesn’t give them much to work with.

[ruleof3bobby]

Let Him Go (2020) Grade: B

A gripping modern western anchored by a strong script and even stronger performances. Diane Lane and Kevin Costner bring quiet intensity and emotional depth, while Jeffrey Donovan nearly steals the show with his unsettling presence. He's very underrated.

Every sequence feels purposeful — there’s no filler here. The pacing is deliberate but never dull, building tension with precision. And when the climax hits, it lands. It’s brutal, earned, and deeply satisfying.