Susan Kamyab – ALLIANCE OF WOMEN FILM JOURNALISTS

FIVE NIGHTS AT FREDDY’S – Review by Susan Kamyab

November 13, 2023November 15, 2023 Susan Kamyab Elizabeth Lail, Five Nights at Freddy, Josh Hutcherson, Matthew Lillard, video game franchise

The video game franchise, Five Nights at Freddy‘s has made its way to the theaters with a storyline created for the big screen. However, it might be more entertaining playing this game, rather than watching it. For fans of the game, this premise relates perfectly to the story and audiences can easily follow. Five Nights at Freddy’s won’t stand out among other video game adaptations or even other horror films from this year, but it does have a few entertaining moments and it might make you feel nostalgic enough to want to visit a Chuck E. Cheese. So, I suggest catching this one at a matinee with kiddos of age.

Reviews

KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON – Review by Susan Kamyab

October 16, 2023October 19, 2023 Susan Kamyab Killers of the Flower Moon, Leonardo DiCaprio, Lily Gladstone, martin scorsese, Osage, robert de niro, truth-based

No surprise, Martin Scorsese hands us another triumph. Though the story of bad people murdering innocent ones and later getting caught is a familiar theme for the director, he revives the formula by telling an infuriating piece of non-fiction which reminds us of a heartbreaking American injustice that deserves to be remembered. It’s an important part of history told masterfully through a slightly comedic tone that makes the horrifying truths easier to digest.

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IT LIVES INSIDE – Review by Susan Kamyab

September 28, 2023September 28, 2023 Susan Kamyab Bishal Dutta, halloween, It Lives Inside, Megan Suri, neon

Scary movies are hitting theaters early to get you in the Halloween spirit. One of those films is Neon’s It Lives Inside. But will this film ignite enough fear to make it a thrilling watch? The story follows Samidha, an Indian American teenager who’s struggling with her cultural identity. In an effort to fit-in, she has a falling out with her best friend Tamira, which releases a demonic entity that grows stronger by feeding on her loneliness. It’s a terrifying concept and the previews make it appear to be as chilling as The Ring, but this is nowhere near as scary.

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OPPENHEIMER – Review by Susan Kamyab

July 19, 2023July 19, 2023 Susan Kamyab Christopher Nolan, Cillian Murphy, emily blunt, matt damon, Oppenheimer, Robert Downy Jr.

It’s just early summer and we already have a strong Oscar contender with Christopher Nolan’s new historical drama. I will say, I haven’t been a fan of Nolan’s last three films – Interstellar, Dunkirk, and Tenet were just too convoluted, boring, and loud. However, I am pleased to say, Oppenheimer is one the director’s best films to date. Oppenheimer is a poignant and engaging character study revolving around a true story that all audiences must-see.

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MISSION IMPOSSIBLE – DEAD RECKONING PART ONE – Review by Susan Kamyab

July 7, 2023July 7, 2023 Susan Kamyab Christopher McQuarrie, Fraser Taggert, Haley Atwell, IMAX, Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning - Part One, Simon Pegg, tom cruise, Ving Rhames

As long as Tom Cruise is willing to keep making these Mission: Impossible movies. they won’t stop. After watching Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, I don’t mind if they continue, because this film is one of my favorites of the franchise so far. In this sequel, the film begins with a polarizing opening scene that reveals a potentially powerful and wildly unpredictable Russian A.I. weapon known as “The Entity.” It is laying at the bottom of the ocean in a sunken submarine. Former IMF director, Eugene Kittridge calls upon Ethan Hunt once again so that he and his team can track down two halves of the key that controls the dangerous digital technology before it falls into the wrong hands.

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INDIANA JONES AND THE DIAL OF DESTINY – Review by Susan Kamyab

June 26, 2023September 4, 2023 Susan Kamyab Harrison Ford, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, james mangold, jez butterworth, John-Henry Butterworth, Phedon Papamichael, phoebe waller-bridge, Toby Jones

What’s best about this sequel is the nostalgia. They go back to the basics, filling in holes fans might wonder about and including plenty of throwbacks from the original movies, like Dr. Jones’ past relationships, his fear of snakes, and the iconic John Williams score. But what’s most impressive about the film, is how effortlessly Ford fits right back into his historic character. You can tell he’s having fun again and proves that he is still just as talented as ever.

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THE FLASH – Review by Susan Kamyab

June 12, 2023September 4, 2023 Susan Kamyab batman, DC Comics, Ezra Miller, the flash, the justice league

Everyone has been raving about The Flash, some are even calling it the best DC movie yet, if not the best superhero movie. But because of all the hype, I might have gone into it with too high of expectations, because I think the film teeters between okay to good. In the film Ezra Miller returns as Barry Allen and he uses his super speed to change the past to save his mom from a brutal murder, but his attempt to save her ends up creating a world without superheroes, forcing him to race for his life to save the future. Due to the premise, there is a LOT going on, which causes it to feel a bit chaotic. The pacing is off, and some of the scenes and CGI are cheesy.

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THE LITTLE MERMAID – Review by Susan Kamyab

May 22, 2023May 22, 2023 Susan Kamyab Daveed Diggs, disney, Halle Bailey, javier bardem, Melissa McCarthy, rob marshall, THE LITTLE MERMAID

Thanks to the committed cast and their captivating performances, this is one of the few Disney live-actions I’m happy with. And if there was any reason for this remake in particular, it was to have Halle Bailey play Ariel. Baily shines as Ariel. Her voice is breathtaking and she’s a talented actor. It’s also heartwarming to know that so many young girls are going to get to see themselves represented through such an iconic Disney Classic.

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FAST X – Review by Susan Kamyab

May 16, 2023May 16, 2023 Susan Kamyab brie larson, charlize theron, fast x, helen mirren, jason momoa, michelle rodriguez, rita moreno, vin diesel

Unfortunately, this was one of the worst Fast and Furious films. I think we all expect the movies to be silly and they have always been self-aware of how ridiculous they can be with their impossible stunts. But sadly, Fast X just proves that the franchise is running out of gas. Fast X pushes the boundaries of how far their over-the-top storylines and action can go. These movies should go back to the basics of films 1 through 5 and stay more focused. Also, enough with the dramatic “all about family” conversations. Even with outlandish plots and stunts, the dialogue can at least be realistic. Fast X” does end on a cliffhanger, setting up for what is supposed to be the franchise’s final film. If that’s the case, what they have put in place could make for a better second half of this story and hopefully, a respectable goodbye.

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GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL 3 – Review by Susan Kamyab

May 3, 2023May 4, 2023 Susan Kamyab Beth Mickle, Bradley Cooper, Chris Pratt, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, James Gunn, Judianna Makovsky, Karen Gillan, Marvel Cinematic Universe, Will Poulter, zoe saldana

I know I have been saying that since Endgame and Spiderman: No Way Home, Marvel has cranked out some underwhelming sequels. So, that put a lot of pressure on the third installment of the beloved Guardians of the Galaxy franchise. Well, I am so happy to say that Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3 is a hit and a solid ending to a fantastic trilogy.

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