zack_gideon Reviews

The Last Stop in Yuma County (2023)

One of the Best Indies in Years!

[8/10 · 24 May 2024]

This is by far one of the best indie films I've seen in a very long time. It's a great combination of good acting, balancing humor and suspense while leveraging a great script that is impossible to predict.

Indie films usually struggle with budget and acting, so if you can strip the need for budget and get some quality actors to come on board you're gonna have a shot at a winner...this is one of those times.

Joceline Donahue (from The House of the Devil) and Jim Cummings hit the ball out of the park with their acting in this. Also, even being in just one remote setting primarily, the film never gets boring and the last third is super engaging. Great effort guys!!! Kudos to all involved! 8.2/10.

Ashley Madison: Sex, Lies & Scandal (2024)

Whole thing is LAME. The end.

[3/10 · 22 May 2024]

Just a lame documentary. It's too long, repetitive and just low energy trash. I felt like it focused all on this scummy YouTuber guy who was a serial cheater and his redemption story. It's just not a good documentary.

Besides that, all the scumbags who did run this trashy site were able to carte blanch tell their stories like "oh i didn't know the ceo was a scum bag"...yeah right. It's like they get the call to come on the show and just blab about how their experience. It's boring and not worth watching.

Why not focus on the scams, the people whose lives got ruined and what happened to the scumbag ceo? Whole thing is faulty and lame. 3/10.

Fair Play (2023)

Welcome to suckville...population this movie

[4/10 · 19 March 2024]

Movie starts off so great honestly, the whole thing was set up to have a great payoff and get some complex drama and thrills. Also the characters were set up really well, was looking forward to the last act....and then we enter suckville.

The last 40 minutes of this movie are so bad, I was just like yelling at the tv. Why? Why devolve all the work you created for the first hour into a steaming pile of crap? The actors did ok, but in reality they were acting in a farce.

Don't bother with this movie, I wish in some alternate universe the last 1/3 was something awesome...but instead it literally ruins the entire movie and it's a complete waste of time. The end. 3.8/10.

Sometimes I Think About Dying (2023)

A subtle movie about depression

[7/10 · 13 March 2024]

First of all, ignore all these moronic reviews that say "it's boring" or "it has no plot so it sucks". These people don't get it. They need constant action, plot points and shiny objects. If that's you, simply DO NOT WATCH movies like this!

This film only has a few settings, it focuses on negative space and silence, which oddly enough is how depression works. It also has a lot to do with suicidal ideation (that's the title so clearly).

The movie focuses on Daisy Ridley. She's quiet, awkward and might be depressed. These type of acting roles for an already established high-level actor can be challenging. She really knocks it out of the park. Her acting is very subtle and meta, and that's basically the film.

I truly enjoyed the film annd all the characters add so much value to it. Totally enjoyable if you like quiet, thinking films. 7.3/10.

Amelia's Children (2023)

Creeptastic horror with a fairly simply plot

[6/10 · 9 March 2024]

First of all, this movie is mostly in English so don't get scared off by it being Portuguese. The leads both do a commendable job with average dialogue and plot.

Those things really aren't the main reason to watch. It's the creep factor for me. Super freaky mother character with really good prosthetic make-up that steals the show.

The story is also very creepy and I believe is Portuguese folklore. About the witch mother - no more details here you'll have to watch it. You'll find out pretty quick that the house is not going to be a fun place to visit.

Overall it's a good film, not great. Enjoyable horror and well acted. 6.4/10.

The Program: Cons, Cults, and Kidnapping (2024)

Child abuse merchants get exposed

[9/10 · 8 March 2024]

This nice little 3 hour Netflix series is basically perfectly executed. Bringing the issue out slowly and then exposing the scumbags who run these paid off (politically) institutions that literally destroy peoples lives.

It's so sad to see how the system allows this literal child abuse scam to go on, even today. So happy Netflix is showing this, it really helps to expose the people that are profiting from torturing children.

I cried at the end, won't say why...but just seeing the damage full-blown abuse does to kids (I was abused) is so easily understood and felt in this really helps to understand how wrong this is.

Next step is to expose all the sleazy money hungry lying politicians who support this stuff and line their pockets while young kids get abused. That should be a whole new documentary. 8.8/10.

Memory (I) (2023)

A film about emotional pain and connection.

[8/10 · 21 February 2024]

What is a film? To me it's an experience that you view through your own experiences. Life's not easy. Not perfect. Many times it's hard. Things happen to you that you didn't deserve and it leaves scars in your heart and emotions.

This film is about that very thing. Damaged people. Like all of us in our own way. Damaged trying to get thru this world with less pain. This is why I love this movie. It's just a subtle, raw view into pain and trauma and the little glimpses of hope. Of peace. Of love. It's hard for a lot of people out there.

So if you want to see an artistic film about this subject with no score, no gimmicks and some of the most vulnerable acting I've seen. This is for you.

One trigger warning: if you've dealt with sexual assault on any level this may be hard to watch.

The Iron Claw (2023)

The sad effects of a malignant narcissistic father

[9/10 · 17 February 2024]

This movie is really about malignant narcissism. One of the most damaging types of parents anyone would be cursed with getting. The father is a controlling, domineering, stuck in the past a-hole who uses all of his sons as his fuel to control others and ignore himself.

The sad result is a cursed family. This happens all the time - a parent or parents that control their children's lives and brainwash them into compliance all the while playing the part of "good and successful".

This movie is powerful, well thought out and impeccably acted. It's truly a great film and hard to forget. I'll be watching it again very soon. Congrats to the director, writer and the cast and crew for creating a truly amazing piece of filmmaking. 9.1/10.

Skeletons in the Closet (2024)

A film to be endured...not enjoyed sadly.

[4/10 · 10 February 2024]

My guess is this was filmed in about 8-10 days at most. Most scenes are 1-2 takes. They probably got Cuba Gooding Jr. For 1 or 2 days. The plot is extremely simple, almost as if a child wrote it.

By about the 1 hour mark I really wanted to shut it off, but I endured. To get to the underwhelming finale that any novice film goer would expect.

I guess the biggest question is why did Terrence Howard do this project? Why? It couldn't have paid much, maybe just for fun? The plot is partially a flashback story, which the synopsis explains. There's just nothing here sadly. The first 25 minutes is Cuba and Terrence drinking at bars talking, usually in 1 take scenes.

Overall it's passable to put on if you're working or cooking or something, but don't dedicate your time to watching this. 4.4/10.

The Night House (2020)

The entire movie is her dream

[9/10 · 7 January 2024]

Ok, here's my theory on this film. The entire movie is a dream in the comatose mind of Rebecca Hall. Remember she mentioned that she dies for 4 minutes when she was 17.

My theory is she is dreaming this film as she fights to regain consciousness. The husband is a made up figure in her imagination and the other characters are just people she thought about because she wanted to be a teacher.

The reason the younger girl she meets says she had a dream where she sees herself which is Rebecca Hall is actually her conscious telling herself she's in a dream.

At the end she overcomes her pain of almost dying and becomes conscious out her coma. That's why when she looks at the boat the guy says "there's nothing there" and she responses with "I know" - meaning she knows it was all a dream.

The end she wakes up from her coma...

Eileen (2023)

Feels like they just gave up

[5/10 · 3 January 2024]

The first 2/3 of this movie have good tension and build up, but then it just goes to die the crapper real quick. For most folks, this type of plot and script will just annoy you when you're done watching.

The other issue with this movie is the score and soundtrack, the tone just seems completely confused. They play oldies music, which is upbeat but then fully switch to some introspective character silence shot. Didn't work for me.

The good parts are the acting for sure. You could watch it just for that and enjoy it, especially if you're an Anne Hathaway or Thomasin fan (you should be if you're a film nerd). Also it has some interesting and very dark topics, that in a better script and plot could have developed...but sadly with this movie nothing is developed. That's why I can't recommend this unless you watch it for the acting alone. 5.2/10.

Finestkind (2023)

Watch it with the right mindset

[6/10 · 17 December 2023]

All these critics and people on here are bagging this film. I get it, you want action, twists, a plot that goes along quickly and more, more, more. Well don't watch this movie then. Simple really.

If you approach a film with the right mindset (like this one) and don't expect to be blown away you can actually enjoy its nuance, acting and glimpse into sea fishing. I enjoyed it for those reasons. It's definitely a meandering film with some scenes not driving anywhere - they're there instead to develop characters.

This film is a character family drama with a small crime element. It's mis marketed in my opinion. Just watch it causally and enjoy the acting. And for the bad scenes that don't really work, just appreciate it for what it is. Good acting. 6.4/10.

Leave the World Behind (2023)

The ending is the best part.

[7/10 · 10 December 2023]

People will cry about the ending, but the ending is the best part of the film. I won't go into details but the ending isn't the ending, it's the beginning. How people can't see that is beyond me.

The film is apocalyptic horror comedy essentially. Also a dive into what makes us human and how we judge others but in reality we're just living in our own delusion. It's very meta and most people won't get it. That's fine.

I really liked the tension, the acting, the score and the comedic break scenes (dancing, etc). The other way this film excels is how it uses exposition. They use character, dialogue and subtleties to slowly bring the plot. It's not for everyone but if you like cinema that's not made to be easily digested, you will like it. Well done! 7.3/10.

May December (2023)

The Aftermath of a Crime(s)

[8/10 · 2 December 2023]

This movie is based on subtext and doesn't have an overt narrative that progresses like most films.

This movie is about the about one of the worst crimes that exists - CSA (look it up). If you understand it's generational and also very difficult to comprehend this movie will hit you HARD.

That being said, this is a very well done movie about adults who are really just children. They never healed from their traumas and what ensues is a vision of how life is when you ignore that stuff.

I personally have dealt this this crap, and ignoring it is the easy way out...but leads to a unlived life. You have to put the bright lights on it which is what Natalie Portman's character does.

The movie is for people that love film as art - not narrative. It is very well done. All the acting is based on nuanced subtext. The score and the cinematography are also very well done (I love slow zooms...sue me).

Overall it's a great film if you can just absorb the artform of a well paced uncovering of the aftermath of a crime and what happens when you steal innocence. It's a truly remarkable movie that will impact people that understand this dynamic in life. 8/10.

Dark Harvest (2023)

Incoherent and rushed, but cool monster and cinematography

[5/10 · 23 October 2023]

This films script is a complete mess. Trying to adapt a book isn't easy, and it shows. There's very little exposition, the plot is super rushed and there are way too many character. In a book that's fine, you have time to flesh things out...but not here. I was laughing at how confusing this movie was.

I wouldn't recommend watching this for the story or script, it's convoluted and gave me a bad headache. Instead you can watch it for some really outstanding cinematography, lighting and a cool/creepy monster.

I wish they had spent more time story boarding the plot and made this longer and more comprehendible. It's not why I would watch this, but more for the direction and what's going on visually. 5.5/10.

15 Cameras (2023)

Fun little popcorn flick

[6/10 · 16 October 2023]

This is a fun and very flawed movie. Cleverly constructed, with massive plot holes and annoying characters - yet somehow they are all endearing. I don't know why, but I really liked the characters, even the ultra annoying and stupid lead "Cam" ironically named.

This is the third in the camera series 13 and 14. I think this is the best one, using a meta plot around documentary that features the villain of the first two.

Overall, it's a popcorn flick. Don't take it serious, there are massive plot holes and a lot of the dialogue is pointless...but I still enjoyed those meandering scenes. If you want to zone out with a bottle of wine this could be a fun choice 6.2/10.

The Fall of the House of Usher (2023)

Good story and structure, but is over sexualized.

[7/10 · 13 October 2023]

It's a fun show I guess. It's nothing like Haunting of Hill House which is an utter masterpiece. This show is modern, thus delves into garbage like orgies, "starfishing" which I had to look up.

You quickly learn how debased and garbage all the bloodline kids are, so you look forward to watching them die. It's kind of a play maybe on how trashy society is now, but I don't think that's the point.

The point was to modernize Edgar Allen Poe's work, which is a cool idea, but impossible to really do. Definitely a good show, the acting and cinematography was top level. I just lost my interest a little with all the 2023 trash.

Society is on the down slope, sexuality is being weaponized and exploited and I felt this show really didn't allow the stories to come through, but instead cowered down to the new normal of over sexualizing things with words and images.

Overall a good show, but kids shouldn't watch it. 7/10.

Appendage (2023)

Anyone with child trauma and the "gremlin" in their head will relate

[6/10 · 12 October 2023]

This movie will impact people that have experienced child trauma or abuse and are left with the nasty demon stuck in their head. Those who do the work and get therapy learn the bpd or anxiety or depression issues are there from bad parents or childhood.

This film is an allegory about how if you feed the gremlin in your head it will grow and grow (by allowing negative self talk and ignoring your past). It's really effective and has a good message.

It's also a horror movie (kind of). I enjoyed it, not just for the allegory and how it impacted me but also because all the actors did a fantastic job. I've spent a year in therapy and a few more trying to kill my gremlin, and just like this movie it's not easy!!! 6.6/10.

Pet Sematary: Bloodlines (2023)

Plot literally makes no sense and there's no point.

[2/10 · 9 October 2023]

This film is just bad. Pretty much in every way. They must have either ran out of budget or had to cut run time because this movie is utter nonsense. I kind of, maybe get what they were trying to do, but it's so poorly crafted and executed it's not worth watching.

Here are things that suck:

1. The plot doesn't make sense and really has nothing to do with the original Pet Sematery.

2. There's no one to root for and no one to care about. Live or die, I literally do not care what happens to any characters.

3. There's no point and the core premise is so confusing I really don't know why this was made.

4. The final act they just gave up. I don't know why characters are doing what they're doing. Nor do I care.

Bad filmmaking 101 - 2.2/10.

Totally Killer (2023)

Back to the Future + Scream = Radical 80's Fun

[8/10 · 7 October 2023]

What a great film! So happy something like this comes out, juxtaposing life in 1987 vs now. It's very well written and one of my favorite movies of the last few years.

The dialogue is hilarious and the acting is as well. This type of script is hard to create effectively and the writers and director knocked it out of the park. Such a fun movie with enlightened tension and laughs to keep most people going right from the start.

My guess is there will be a sequel to this, because the 80's versions of the adult characters are so freaking great. The lead actress and her high school mother really steal the show the entire time. What a fun movie!!! 8.2/10.

Birth/Rebirth (2023)

Disturbing, very dark and ending seemed rushed

[5/10 · 7 September 2023]

Trigger warning for anyone who is pregnant or has younger children or has lost a child - I would recommend not watching this.

The film itself is dark and claustrophobic. Almost all scenes are in a grungy apartment or the hospital/ME room. The leads have very little to no redeeming qualities so there's really no one to root for.

This has a gross out, vapidness to it that was the point. So if that's your thing you'll likely enjoy this movie. There's a Cronenberg/horror quality to it, but I really don't think it's actualized enough to be considered a good film. Also the ending feels rushed and thought it could have gone a more interesting direction.

5.3/10.

The Pod Generation (2023)

Literally nothing happens

[4/10 · 1 September 2023]

This concept was really interesting...for the first 15 minutes. Sadly, they decided to go the super safe, PC route and have a social commentary on things like how a man carries the baby pod. The dialogue is akin to a bad podcast that questions the validity of child rearing vs pod rearing.

This concept could have been an awesome horror movie or sci-fi thriller where pod babies go wrong. Like a black mirror episode on the wrongs of growing a human in a pod, instead it's literally nothing.

The set design was okay, but besides that there's no chemistry, no intriguing storylines and what you get is 1 hour and 50 minutes of watching paint dry. Hope someone does a horror version of this though! Because that would be watchable. 3.8/10.

The Boogeyman (I) (2023)

Just watch the 1980 version

[5/10 · 30 August 2023]

This movie had good intentions I think. The budget was massive for what you see (35M), and it made a profit because of the marketing. That being said, the actual film you see is extremely generic.

I am biased and very anti CGI creatures, so right off the bat wasn't good. The plot is about as generic as you can get. Evil monster lurking in the dark. You would hope they would evolve the plot to explain its origin, or give more back story as to why it's a attacking them, but no.

It's a standard creature feature, one you might see on Tubi or Prime, only they had great marketing and a huge budget. I'm still confused where the money went. Acting wasn't bad, but it's so dark you can barely see it. 5.1/10.

The 80's version is much scarier and has some really cool elements. Watch that after you watch this one!

Inside Man (2023)

Solid Low Budget Undercover Cop Effort

[6/10 · 19 August 2023]

Quite enjoyed this easy-to-digest undercover cop effort. Film takes place in the 1980's and you can tell they put a lot of effort into costume (especially Lucy Hale) and set decoration.

Some films, like this one are just easy to sit thru - the story is simple, pacing is even (meaning most scenes don't lag) and the dialogue progresses the plot and adds some humor as well.

They also use narration the correct way, by allowing the lead to guide the audience (similar to Goodfellas) thru the story. It's not heavy handed or over used, which is a tricky way to write a screenplay.

Overall I enjoyed this film, it doesn't try to do too much, but creates a nice 80's atmosphere and does most things correctly. Only problem is they once again use CGI for gunshot wounds. Please, directors...stop doing this! It's an immediate downgrade on any film. 6.3/10.

Cobweb (2023)

Good First Half/Second Half Swirls Down the Toilet Bowl

[5/10 · 11 August 2023]

Not a huge fan of this movie because of the massive pivot half way thru.

I won't spoil it but there's a point where they build up to something which I was looking forward to, and then the movie just devolves down the proverbial toilet bowl.

Some of the audience will enjoy the devolution after build up and then full toilet bowl down to bad writing/cgi and utter nonsense, but I personally wasn't a fan.

This is becoming a bit of a trend, where movies will drive you somewhere, but then make a hard turn into chaos, where the writing style and the entire build up was something of a ruse. This movie for me it didn't work, the first half was well acted and very creepy however. 5.5/10.