{ "version": "https://jsonfeed.org/version/1", "title": "Gannon Nordberg", "icon": "https://micro.blog/gannonnordberg/avatar.jpg", "home_page_url": "https://gannonnordberg.com/", "feed_url": "https://gannonnordberg.com/feed.json", "items": [ { "id": "http://gannonnordberg.micro.blog/2024/03/12/my-ranking-of.html", "content_html": "
My Ranking of Denis Villeneuve Films 🍿📺
\n", "date_published": "2024-03-12T18:46:23-04:00", "url": "https://gannonnordberg.com/2024/03/12/my-ranking-of.html", "tags": ["Movie"] }, { "id": "http://gannonnordberg.micro.blog/2024/02/14/movie-log-the.html", "title": "Movie Log 🍿 - The Tree of Life, 2011 - ★★★", "content_html": "What are 3 emoji I’d use to represent the movie?
🤫🌊🌳
What’s something that stuck out to me while watching?
This is a VERY visual experience. I wish I had a 4K version.
I’ll admit, I’m not sure I really “get it” but it was definitely entertaining. I kept asking myself “WTF” should I be feeling right now LOL 😆
All that aside, it is shot and scored beautifully.
Why did I decide to press play on this movie?
I first saw this when it came out and remember thinking it was pretty bizarre. I thought since enough time had passed, I might have a stronger appreciation and understanding for it.
Nope. Still pretty bizarre to me.
What are some other similar movies?
Boyhood, Stand By Me, Magnolia
What are 3 emoji I’d use to represent the movie?
👹🎓😱
What’s something that stuck out to me while watching?
It’s a pretty stark improvement to the visual animations from the first movie. Granted, this was made 12 years later.
Why did I decide to press play on this movie?
Just something new to watch with the kids. An underrated Pixar film of mine though!
What are some other similar movies?
Monsters, Inc., Onward, Hotel Transylvania
What are 3 emoji I’d use to represent the movie?
💻💪👠
What’s something that stuck out to me while watching?
A pretty solid movie!
This movie is trashy and a bit ridiculous but also very entertaining and funny. I really like JGL and I was excited to learn he was also writing and directing.
The editing is really clever.
Solid performances from both JGL and Scarlett Johansson!
Why did I decide to press play on this movie?
I like JGL and wanted to see what he could do in the director’s chair.
What are some other similar movies?
Crazy Stupid Love, 50/50, Lucy
Watched on Friday February 9, 2024.
\n", "date_published": "2024-02-09T23:11:23-04:00", "url": "https://gannonnordberg.com/2024/02/09/movie-log-star.html" }, { "id": "http://gannonnordberg.micro.blog/2024/02/08/movie-log-her.html", "title": "Movie Log 🍿 - Her, 2013 - ★★★★★", "content_html": "What are 3 emoji I’d use to represent the movie?
🤳💞🧠
What’s something that stuck out to me while watching?
All the new-age hipster vibes are great!
The music and cinematography are top notch! Shot by (now) legendary Hoyte Van Hoytema!
In a time before wireless AirPods or Chat GPT, this film really struck me.
I found it to be very sweet and romantic, which I didn’t feel when I saw it about 10 years ago.
Why did I decide to press play on this movie?
I saw it once when it came out but wanted to give it another shot. I’m so glad I did!
What are some other similar movies?
Surrogates, A.I., Closer
What are 3 emoji I’d use to represent the movie?
💰🛢️🌾
What’s something that stuck out to me while watching?
It’s long. Too long.
Unsurprisingly, Leo and DeNiro both shine. Lily Gladstone portrays a subtle but powerful performance.
It’s a remarkable story about greed and corruption that I was unfamiliar with.
I understand why this is a strong contender for a list of Academy Awards but I don’t feel compelled to watch it again.
Why did I decide to press play on this movie?
Leo. DeNiro, and Scorsese. Need I say more?
What are some other similar movies?
There Will Be Blood, Gangs of New York, Lawless
What are 3 emoji I’d use to represent the movie?
🕺🫧🐖
What’s something that stuck out to me while watching?
The first 10 minutes are AMAZING! All the terrific 80’s music and dancing definitely appeal to adults like me.
This holds up better than I remember.
Why did I decide to press play on this movie?
Just rounding out the ‘Despicable Me’ franchise with the kiddos.
What are some other similar movies?
Despicable Me, The Secret Life of Pets, The Incredibles
I really like the Maya character from the Hawkeye series and I LOVE the Fisk character from Daredevil but this show missed the mark for me in both ways.
The first episode was pretty great but then it lost my interest.
\n", "date_published": "2024-02-02T23:11:38-04:00", "url": "https://gannonnordberg.com/2024/02/02/movie-log-echo.html" }, { "id": "http://gannonnordberg.micro.blog/2024/02/01/movie-log-the.html", "title": "Movie Log 🍿 - The Call of the Wild, 2020 - ★★★", "content_html": "What are 3 emoji I’d use to represent the movie?
🐶🏔️❄️
What’s something that stuck out to me while watching?
Overall, this was better than I expected!
The visual effects were good but I never really “forgot” it was a digital dog.
Harrison Ford is great but it was a solid 45 minutes until he had any significant screen time.
The Alaskan Yukon landscapes are BEAUTIFUL!
Why did I decide to press play on this movie?
My son was home sick from school today so I wanted to keep him company with a movie 🥰. I didn’t take much convincing.
What are some other similar movies?
Togo, Eight Below, Homeward Bound
What are 3 emoji I’d use to represent the movie?
🚁🪦🎨
What’s something that stuck out to me while watching?
The journey these two brothers take — both physically and emotionally — is really jarring.
I have NEVER seen Tobey Mcguire in a role like this. He puts on an incredible performance!
Why did I decide to press play on this movie?
Jake Gyllenhall is turning into one of my favorite actors. He’s great in every role.
What are some other similar movies?
Jarhead, The Kingdom
What are 3 emoji I’d use to represent the movie?
💣🌏🐁
What’s something that stuck out to me while watching?
The premise for this movie is wild! Very entertaining though. I literally went into this movie knowing nothing about it, aside from the lead role in Ariana Debose, and directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite, that was all I needed to want to see this and I’m really glad I did.
My dad and I were the only ones in the entire theater. So that was fun, too.
Why did I decide to press play on this movie?
Ariana Debose and director Gabriela Cowperthwaite. Nuff said.
What are some other similar movies?
Gravity, Life, Mission to Mars
What are 3 emoji I’d use to represent the movie?
❄️✈️🗻
What’s something that stuck out to me while watching?
An INCREDIBLE survival story! I remember seeing the original ‘ALIVE’ (1993) movie many times when I was younger but not since.
The plane crash sequence here is INTENSE!
This would have been a severely challenging movie to film in so many ways. The cold, snowy weather above everything else. The dark, confined spaces.
It may be blasphemy to film nerds but I actually appreciated the English dubbing on Netflix, as opposed to reading captions. It was solid.
The sweeping Andes landscapes are stunning!
I’d love to see some behind the scenes footage on how this was made.
Why did I decide to press play on this movie?
Call me curious.
What are some other similar movies?
The Grey, The Edge, Castaway
What are 3 emoji I’d use to represent the movie?
🐉🔥🪽
What’s something that stuck out to me while watching?
This is my least favorite in an otherwise pretty strong franchise.
I like the change in location away from Burke and having the villagers on the run to protect their dragons.
The contrast in the Light Fury dragon is interesting and it puts Hiccup in a tricky position as both a caretaker and village Chief.
It has a very satisfying ending!
Why did I decide to press play on this movie?
Just rounding out the trilogy with my kids 😊.
What are some other similar movies?
How to Train Your Dragon, Brave, Ice Age
What are 3 emoji I’d use to represent the movie?
🎥🦷🤝
What’s something that stuck out to me while watching?
Clever writing and solid execution for director (and star) Jake Johnson. Anna Kendrick was a perfect pair with Johnson and the two of them had great chemistry.
A fun, quick 90-minute comedy/thriller.
Why did I decide to press play on this movie?
I always get intrigued with movies where people say, “don’t watch the trailer and don’t read anything about it including the synopsis. Just press play.“
I’m glad I followed that advice because this was a lot more fun, knowing so little about it!
What are some other similar movies?
The Game, The Truman Show, Shaun of the Dead
What are 3 emoji I’d use to represent the movie?
🐝🧯💻
What’s something that stuck out to me while watching?
Woof, this definitely has plenty of rough spots. The story is weak. The dialogue is cringy. The antagonists are ridiculous.
I don’t plan to revisit this one.
Why did I decide to press play on this movie?
In general, a David Ayer film ticks a lot of boxes for me. I rewatched his directorial films leading up to this so I could put together my ranking.
What are some other similar movies?
The Mechanic, The Transporter
My Ranking of David Ayer Films 🍿📺
\n", "date_published": "2024-01-22T22:06:09-04:00", "url": "https://gannonnordberg.com/2024/01/22/my-ranking-of.html" }, { "id": "http://gannonnordberg.micro.blog/2024/01/21/movie-log-gran.html", "title": "Movie Log 🍿 - Gran Turismo, 2023 - ★★★★", "content_html": "What are 3 emoji I’d use to represent the movie?
🏎️🏁🎮🛞
What’s something that stuck out to me while watching?
This was WAY better than I expected it to be. After seeing the trailer a few times, I was pretty down on this one. Boy, was I wrong!
This is probably the best car racing cinematography I’ve ever seen. Plus, the blend of visual effects really adds to the immersive experience. There must have been some awesome drones on the set to capture some of the racing because it looked amazing!
David Harbour was really great.
It looks and sounds awesome. Terrific sound design, especially when enjoyed on surround sound! 😲
Why did I decide to press play on this movie?
I heard from a few people that I should give this a chance and decided to go with it.
What are some other similar movies?
Ford v Ferrari, Mad Max: Fury Road, Rush, Fast & Furious 6.
What are 3 emoji I’d use to represent the movie?
🐉🧊😵💫
What’s something that stuck out to me while watching?
Great music and score, just like the first one.
I think the villain is a worthy foe that DRASTICALLY alters the storyline of the main characters.
I really enjoyed seeing Hiccup complete his arc throughout the film by doing what’s best for the dragons and his community.
Why did I decide to press play on this movie?
Continuing with the franchise for my kids. I’m MORE than happy to watch this movie again as it’s been a few years since I’ve seen it.
What are some other similar movies?
How to Train Your Dragon, Brave, Ice Age
What are 3 emoji I’d use to represent the movie?
🐉🗡️🔥
What’s something that stuck out to me while watching?
The score and third act are both fantastic!
Why did I decide to press play on this movie?
My wife picked it to watch with the kids this afternoon. I’m always game to watch it, though!
What are some other similar movies?
Kung-Fu Panda, Brave
What are 3 emoji I’d use to represent the movie?
💰👨👩👧👦🔫
What’s something that stuck out to me while watching?
My initial review” rel=“nofollow”>boxd.it/1CsXOb) still stands.
The music is REALLY good throughout and matches the tone perfectly.
This is a gruesome and straight-up medieval gangster flick. It’s extremely violent and graphic.
I thought both Bobby Soto and Shia LaBouf were great.
Why did I decide to press play on this movie?
This wraps up my run through David Ayer movies before seeing his new one, ‘The Beekeeper’ next week.
What are some other similar movies?
Sicario, End of Watch
What are 3 emoji I’d use to represent the movie?
💰🩸🍻
What’s something that stuck out to me while watching?
This is a very visceral and gritty action thriller.
This is definitely one of Arnold’s most bad-ass characters that he’s played.
There’s definitely a high degree of macho, tough guy (and gal) B.S. that gets kind of tiresome but it’s offset nicely with the police detective character.
I’ve NEVER seen Joe Manganiello in a role like this before and he’s pretty scary.
Why did I decide to press play on this movie?
Just another one of David Ayer movies that I was excited to rewatch.
What are some other similar movies?
S.W.A.T., Miami Vice
What are 3 emoji I’d use to represent the movie?
- 👮♂️🚔🤐
What’s something that stuck out to me while watching?
- The camaraderie between Jake Gyllenhall and Michael Peña is palpable and terrific. It’s why I love this movie so much.
- I also enjoyed seeing some other (now) big names in here like Anna Kendrick, Frank Grillo, David Harbour, and America Ferrera.
- All the first-person shaky-cam footage-style filming really worked for me to increase the grittiness and intensity of some of the scenarios they went through.
- Despite having seen this multiple times, the ending still DESTROYS me. What a gut-punch!
Why did I decide to press play on this movie?
- Just another stop on the David Ayer-directed filmography. Plus, it’s one of my favorite movies and am happy to rewatch it every few years.
What are some other similar movies?
- Street Kings, Sicario, Bad Boys
What are 3 emoji I’d use to represent the movie?
- 💃💄🐓
What’s something that stuck out to me while watching?
- The addition of Kristen Wiig’s character makes this my favorite in the franchise. That, and the expansion of the Minions and their silly shenanigans without overdoing it. And ‘El Macho’ as the villain is another example of a perfect, hilarious character that fits with the rest of the gang.
Why did I decide to press play on this movie?
- This was MY recommendation for my 3-year old daughter ☺️.
What are some other similar movies?
- Despicable Me, Minions, Ice Age
What are 3 emoji I’d use to represent the movie?
- 👮♂️💿💵
What’s something that stuck out to me while watching?
- I’ve seen this 3 times now. The most recent viewing was in 2019. And somehow, I remembered next to nothing about it before today. It’s good! I hope it sticks with me longer after this viewing. The music is great. I like seeing some David Ayer favorite faces in here like Cle Sloan, Common, and Terry Crews. Plus, a pre Captain America Chris Evans in a big role! I was surprised to learn that David Ayer didn’t write the screenplay; only directed it.
Why did I decide to press play on this movie?
- I’m going through David Ayer films and wanted to give this a rewatch.
What are some other similar movies?
- Triple 9, Den of Thieves, Training Day