How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies (2024)

Approached this after being amazed by the film's box office success. Kept my expectations low.

Film is simple. Focus is on the story, though I think it can be tighter. The topic of being nice to someone to become the beneficiary of their inheritance, especially in an Asian society in which filial piety is expected, makes it a pertinent topic for a story, IMHO. This film just hits the surface, but it does has some sweet moments crafted to engage the mainstream audience.

Inside Out 2 (2024)

Generally enjoyed this in a mainstream way. I recalled not being blown over by the original, but that was a different me in a different time and place.
 

The Teacher Who Promised the Sea (2023)

Nice story based on actual characters and events, although I was unsure of the relevance of the present day story and character. There's a lot to cover, and I felt there's a lot of depth. The actors performances were generally great. Went to read up a bit on the Spanish Civil War after watching.

Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)

It's all right. It's more fan driven than plot driven.
 

Salam Gembira (2024)

I don't know a lot of films that touch on Islam and the individual so I guess this is one of the things that make me feel this is an important film to support.

That aside, is this a comedy of errors about a young Muslim man trying to hide his non-Muslim girlfriend from his family, or a call for gay people to be recognized? These two points are linked very superficially, IMHO.

As a comedy of errors, most of the talents deliver enough for it to be a fun watch. But the film also comes across as weakly structured.  While the characters remind me of people from real life, there's too much to their stories to integrate into a movie of this length beyond what is just superficial. The story of one of the supporting character (Mateen) did engage me though.

Kill (2023)

Super violent. I kinda like that the bad guys are also humanized in this.

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024)

Not bad.