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People are split on whether these movies are bad, but this movie was a fun blockbuster that introduced Marvel's first family. The weakest link in both movies was Jessica Alba. She felt more like eye candy than someone who could support in a meaningful way. There is plenty of dumb action and jokes to go around. There are some ridiculous moments, but the movie does have its charm. This is honestly worth the watch simply because it is a fun ride. Story - 14% Characters - 16% Pacing - 14% Spectacle - 14% Entertainment - 15% Total score: 73% Grade scale: 90%-100% = must watch 80%-89% = solid, but could be better 70%-79% = Not terrible, watch if the characters or story interests you 60%-69% = only watch for completionist reasons 0%-59% = just skip it, I find the positives and they don't exist here

Geez, this movie came out swinging. In Michael B. Jordan’s directorial debut, he brings the best entry in the franchise. It takes what makes Rocky movies great (drama and the fights) and elevated them to new heights. I wanted to cry like two scenes in a row. It took Adonis from the comfortable life and brings him down as low as emotionally possible. The past, present, and future are ready to beat down Adonis. Family was a huge theme that played a major role in the story. Jonathan Majors killed it. His acting is charismatic, sympathetic, and all-around engaging. Also, Michael and Jonathan’s workout routines must be insane. The cinematography is interesting without feeling like a grad student in film school using every trick in the book. Reflections play a large part in that cinematography. It works because it is their past selves and present selves seeing who they were and have become. The final fight was also done in a very unique and interesting way that no movie in the Rocky franchise had really done. I’m just gushing over this movie so much. Literally, my only complaint is that because it is drama heavy, it felt slow at times and the runtime felt like its length. The movie is just so well done that it doesn’t even matter. I was thoroughly impressed and proud of the filmmakers for this one. This movie deserves every penny it gets. One final thing I want to say. Rocky is nowhere in this film, but his inspiration is sprinkled throughout the movie. The torch is officially passed and it did not hurt a thing. Story - 20% Characters - 20% Pacing - 18% Spectacle - 20% Entertainment - 20% Total score: 98% Grade scale: 90%-100% = must watch 80%-89% = solid, but could be better 70%-79% = Not terrible, watch if the characters or story interests you 60%-69% = only watch for completionist reasons 0%-59% = just skip it, I find the positives and they don't exist here

I guess we are just throwing out the whole brain damage thing from Rocky 5. After seeing a simulated fight, he wants to prove he still has something left. It’s also a way to get out of the pain of losing Adrian. This was a fun trip down memory lane and it picks up with Rocky at a mostly healthy point in his life. It went back to basics and focused on Rocky’s relationships, particularly with Marie and his own son. It’s crazy how good of a shape Rocky was for being 60 years old. I would not want to be in a fight with him even if you gave me a year to train. It was one last chance to see Rocky and see him go out a happier and better man. The use of realistic commentators and announcers was a nice touch, too. I’m glad this is the definite end of the Rocky-centric movies before properly passing the mantle on to Adonis Creed in "Creed". Story - 15% Characters - 16% Pacing - 16% Spectacle - 18% Entertainment - 17% Total score: 82% Grade scale: 90%-100% = must watch 80%-89% = solid, but could be better 70%-79% = Not terrible, watch if the characters or story interests you 60%-69% = only watch for completionist reasons 0%-59% = just skip it, I find the positives and they don't exist here

This movie is the black sheep of the franchise. There is a lot of boxing, but it is by someone that isn’t Rocky. It focuses more on Rocky losing sight of his kid while training Tommy. Tommy loses his way and of course, hates being called a copy of Rocky. Rocky’s kid is kind of a brat. Why act out so much when your mom still gives you attention? The only fun part of the movie is the street fight which was essential to have Rocky throw his hands at least once after the brain damage diagnosis. You can tell this was going to be the last movie for a while because it tried to come full circle with the characters and Tommy being a mirror of Rocky through the first few movies. Overall, it has a few good moments, but not the quality you expect from a Rocky movie. Story - 14% Characters - 14% Pacing - 15% Spectacle - 13% Entertainment - 14% Total score: 70% Grade scale: 90%-100% = must watch 80%-89% = solid, but could be better 70%-79% = Not terrible, watch if the characters or story interests you 60%-69% = only watch for completionist reasons 0%-59% = just skip it, I find the positives and they don't exist here

These movies are actually surprisingly entertaining. Some of the characterizations are a product of the times, but it doesn’t take away from the cheesy fun. Overall not much to say, it's just the same ole villain who wants the protagonist’s powers but better. It’s a fun time and worth a watch at least once in your life. Story - 12% Characters - 14% Pacing - 15% Spectacle - 15% Entertainment - 15% Total score: 71% Grade scale: 90%-100% = must watch 80%-89% = solid, but could be better 70%-79% = Not terrible, watch if the characters or story interests you 60%-69% = only watch for completionist reasons 0%-59% = just skip it, I find the positives and they don't exist here

This movie was another case of the fighting being its saving grace from a lower score. The movie overall was boring and dry. It is about 90 minutes and that felt too long. The story didn't make sense and I never really was rooting for any character. The action sequences were decent, but that is the only good thing I can really say about it. This is a skip unless you are trying to watch all the pre-MCU movies. Story - 13% Characters - 8% Pacing - 13% Spectacle - 14% Entertainment - 12% Total score: 60% Grade scale: 90%-100% = must watch 80%-89% = solid, but could be better 70%-79% = Not terrible, watch if the characters or story interests you 60%-69% = only watch for completionist reasons 0%-59% = just skip it, I find the positives and they don't exist here

Die Hart was originally a series on the short-lived Quibi app. Amazon was able to edit the series into one complete movie. The premise is Kevin Hart plays himself and goes to an action star camp to learn how to be an action star. It's one of those things where you are always on your toes about whether what is going on is real or part of the training. It is a very bizarre movie, but with Kevin, you know it'll at least be a fun time. The cast is great and the subtle meta-ness is a blast as well. Definitely worth a quick watch. It clocks in at an hour and 20 minutes so it is not a hard investment. Give it a watch when you have the time. Story - 18% Characters - 18% Pacing - 16% Spectacle - 18% Entertainment - 18% Total score: 88% Grade scale: 90%-100% = must watch 80%-89% = solid, but could be better 70%-79% = Not terrible, watch if the characters or story interests you 60%-69% = only watch for completionist reasons 0%-59% = just skip it, I find the positives and they don't exist here

Talk about a slow-burn movie. This movie was visually a great-looking period piece with interesting characters, but it dragged on until the last 15 minutes or so. The look of the WW1-era uniforms and weapons looked pretty solid. Each character had their own little thing to help with differentiation. The premise is essentially these English and American soldiers get trapped in an underground bunker with something...odd...evil...words. The thing that is making the soldiers go crazy is slowly revealed. It's not a straight-up spirit/ghost like the trailer would have you believe. There is a tangibility to it. The movie has an interesting premise and does a lot well. The main issue you will come across is the pacing is slow which makes the hour and 40-minute movie seem like well over 2 hours. If you want to see a movie about soldiers going mad, then this is for you. Otherwise, just watch a more interesting horror film instead. Story - 15% Characters - 16% Pacing - 10% Spectacle - 18% Entertainment - 15% Total score: 74% Grade scale: 90%-100% = must watch 80%-89% = solid, but could be better 70%-79% = Not terrible, watch if the characters or story interests you 60%-69% = only watch for completionist reasons 0%-59% = just skip it, I find the positives and they don't exist here

This is a movie you 100% get what you expect out of it. Bear does cocaine. Bear goes bananas. When I was watching it, 2 movies came to mind for comparison. The style and vibe was very much in the vein of Zombieland. The plot as a whole in some weird stretch reminded me of Jurassic Park...just trade the Velociraptors and T-rex for a bear on cocaine. It was a violent and gory movie during the bear attacks, but I'm gonna be real...they should have gone harder. It was very much a limbs and guts kind of gore. There were a few attempts at character moments and a couple of characters broke free of being one-dimensional. This is just a fun movie with an over-the-top premise that you can't help but laugh at. They did take a lot of liberties though. The real-life story was the bear ate about 75 pounds of cocaine and overdosed. Barely any of it got into its bloodstream before death. The movie just asks a fun "What if?" about a bear on cocaine. The real bear was taxidermied and is currently in a museum. Look it up! As I said, the movie is fun and worth at least one watch. Story - 15% Characters - 16% Pacing - 14% Spectacle - 20% Entertainment - 18% Total score: 83% Grade scale: 90%-100% = must watch 80%-89% = solid, but could be better 70%-79% = Not terrible, watch if the characters or story interests you 60%-69% = only watch for completionist reasons 0%-59% = just skip it, I find the positives and they don't exist here

Welcome to Rocky 4: Montages. I would say a good third of this movie is montages and musical numbers. They made the premise a bit more straightforward this time around. Rather than a bunch of character moments like the first two movies, this one focuses on taking down Soviet Russia…I mean Ivan Drago. The soundtrack is impeccable 80s rock. Showing Rocky and Ivan’s equivalent workouts side by side to show science vs nature was pretty rad. There are also a lot of moments that just felt straight 80s which makes sense because this came out in the heart of the decade. It’s a classic Rocky movie but the story and characters are a bit stripped down for this one. The movie is only 90 minutes, so it never hurts to put on when you are bored. It’s a solid movie, just lacks anything past the revenge elements. Story - 15% Characters - 15% Pacing - 17% Spectacle - 20% Entertainment - 17% Total score: 84% Grade scale: 90%-100% = must watch 80%-89% = solid, but could be better 70%-79% = Not terrible, watch if the characters or story interests you 60%-69% = only watch for completionist reasons 0%-59% = just skip it, I find the positives and they don't exist here

Rocky 3 began what I like to call the villain era. 3 and 4 both feature these huge mountains that Rocky has to fight. This movie leaned into a more fun and comedic tone. It still had dramatic moments and the big call to arms before the final fight. It had to take Rocky from being on top of the world to a fighter who was genuinely scared and lost without his mentor. This was a fun experience and I laughed at a lot of points. It’s silly cinema and I’m here for it. Just maybe fewer close-ups of legs flexing while they run. Rocky at its core about a man who can conquer anything and he did it again this time around. This is also the only movie where Rocky steps into the ring and doesn’t have to go the distance which is an interesting thought. This is a fun, over-the-top era of the Rocky movies…I also didn’t mean to throw the Sylvester Stallone pun in there….oh well, too late now. Story - 17% Characters - 16% Pacing - 18% Spectacle - 18% Entertainment - 19% Total score: 88% Grade scale: 90%-100% = must watch 80%-89% = solid, but could be better 70%-79% = Not terrible, watch if the characters or story interests you 60%-69% = only watch for completionist reasons 0%-59% = just skip it, I find the positives and they don't exist here

This movie was meant to be a backdoor pilot to a show that never was. This movie actually surprised me. It has that almost modern Marvel formula with a balance of humor and action. I honestly would have loved a TV series to continue the story because Sam Jones is charismatic and hilarious. This is honestly a hidden gem in the history of DC. Story - 15% Characters - 15% Pacing - 14% Spectacle - 15% Entertainment - 16% Total score: 75% Grade scale: 90%-100% = must watch 80%-89% = solid, but could be better 70%-79% = Not terrible, watch if the characters or story interests you 60%-69% = only watch for completionist reasons 0%-59% = just skip it, I find the positives and they don't exist here