I didn't watch as many movies as I watched in February, but there are a good bit of new movies that I watched. Unfortunately, I'm seeing Godzilla vs. Kong today, which is the first day of April, so that is not on the list. There are a few other new movies that are on the list, as well as some I revisited. Check everything out down below.
8. Venom
I didn't feel well when I watched Venom for the second time, but it was not a great movie at all. I remember being fine with it originally, but the story and script are just horrible. The pace is way off and the tone is so downbeat and dull, making for a forgettable, bland film that I do not have any interest in revisiting.
7. Godzilla: King of the Monsters
Godzilla: King of the Monsters may be an improvement over the first Godzilla, but it was still a pretty problematic movie. Bland characters. Takes itself way too seriously. And probably thirty minutes too long. The fun monster action is fun when it happens, but there's a lot of this movie that simply isn't interesting.
6. Coming 2 America
I gave Coming 2 America a negative review, and I stand by that. It is not a good movie, but it was an entertaining enough watch. It knew what it was and didn't take itself too seriously, so it was a lighthearted comedy that was a fun two hours, but also had way too much of the original Coming to America inside of it to be a good movie.
5. The Blind Side
This is the quality movie that I watched this month. It has great acting, great dialogue, fleshed out characters with heartfelt relationships, but it did have some problems and is not the most entertaining movie compared to the next four on the list. There were also some problems with unrealistic football and forced in conflict, but it is a solid sports drama.
4. Zack Snyder's Justice League
The internet has made me dislike this movie more. I hear people saying that this is the greatest comic book movie ever. Steppenwolf is one of the greatest villains of all time. People are launching every compliment that they can think of at a movie that simply doesn't deserve it. This is still a good movie and a huge improvement over Justice League, but that does not merit the kind of praise that it's getting. I've said this now a million times, but I don't think that this is the definitive Justice League. There is a three-hour cut of this film that would've been released in theaters still upholding Snyder's vision that would be great. Four hours is not justified. At all.
3. Joker
Joker was one of the greatest experiences I've had at the movie theater. I saw it at 10:30 at night with a bunch of people and absolutely loved it. It's truly an experience to watch the first time around, especially at a night showing in a theater. However, watching it the second time was not as good. Still great, though. Joaquin Phoenix gives one of the best performances I've ever seen. That final scene on the Murray Franklin show is a masterclass in filmmaking. And the haunting feeling of dread that looms over the movie makes it so disturbing to watch, even though you love it at the same time.
2. Raya and the Last Dragon
Raya and the Last Dragon was, as I said in my review, a combo of Aladdin, Mulan, and Moana. I love Aladdin and Moana and I like Mulan, so when you throw them into the blender, I'm going to enjoy it. The deep, rich mythology and interwoven themes are some of the strongest in any Disney movie. What held it back, for me, was the overly rushed pace. It moved very quickly, which is fun, but it also moved too quickly. No space to breath in between segments. As soon as one adventure or action scene is over, it's on to the next. Still, a really fun Disney ride.
1. Gladiator
Gladiator is just incredible. It's one of those movies that gets you pumped up. Some of the scenes are so awesome and written so well that it makes you want to cheer. This crafts one of the most disgusting villains I've ever seen in a film, as well as one of the most likable heroes ever seen in a film. The organic delivery that Russell Crowe has with each of his lines elevates this movie to a whole other level. All in all, Gladiator deserved its Best Picture win, and it also deserved its place at #1 on this list.