Nerdy Squirrel Reviews by Pasckie Pascua

“Civil War” (2024, Max) dystopian thriller , follows a team of war journalists traveling from New York City to Washington, D.C. during a civil war fought across the United States between a despotic federal government and secessionist movements, to interview the president before rebels take the capital city.        The movie's pulse basically pumped in the last sequence: The D.C. siege. The capital city in scarred disarray, bombs exploding, swashbuckling gunfight. Yet if you already saw similar war scenes in the past, that'd be just like what it was. No big deal.        The real drama, confined in the four characters’ individual stories, would have been more interesting if those were explored beyond the movie's 109 minutes. Which means, a series would have been more compelling.  Yet all four account for themselves remarkably fine.          Kirsten Dunst as Lee Smith, a renowned war photojournalist. Her first name is a reference to famed World War II photojournalist L

“Once Upon a Time in the West” (1968, Amazon Prime) spaghetti Western film directed by Sergio Leone , the dude who pretty much started and wallowed on the genre. My favorite when I was a boy, still is. Although this movie’s story is flimsy and stereotyped, the story was penned by Mr Leone with two other greats of Italian cinema, D ario Argento and Bernardo Bertolucci .         Lead stars are Charles Bronson as the Harmonica dude, how cool is that? Henry Fonda , cast against type as the villain, Jason Robards as a bandit with a romantic heart (but still a macho), and Claudia Cardinale as a newly widowed homesteader, sexy eyes and all. And yes, of course, Ennio Morricone supplied the music.         As expected, this is all macho stuff. Lots of staring (at each other or at the camera) and slow walks by dudes on trench coats and jackets or 3-layer shirts amidst the scorching desert heat of Flagstone, Old West. I get the kick out of Mickey Knox’s dialogues, which reminds me of action

“Horizon: An American Saga. Chapter 1.” (Max via Amazon Prime). Historical western. Directed, co-written, produced, and starring Kevin Costner, this first of three chapters is as long as Mr Costner's 1990 “Dances with Wolves” classic: 181 minutes. But “Horizon/Chapter I” may as well be Episode 1 of a regular Western drama, three hours are basically lead-up plot points to Chapter 2. The “saga” started out strongly, with 3 or 4 substories, then it lumbered on, with doors to indulge some more in the next Chapter.         Pre-theater release PR of the epic was high. But it was easily clobbered by an animated film, I think. I expect though that the monumental project that boasts of a 2-film budget of $100 million will recover in Chapter 2.  Chapter 1 worldwide gross take was a measly $27.8 million.        What is wrong with the first part of Kevin's ambition? As I noted above, it started in blazing fire (literally as well) but the moment Hayes Ellison (Costner) showed up, the develo

“It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia” (Hulu) 16 Seasons. S itcom , follows the exploits of "The Gang,” a group of narcissistic and sociopathic friends who run the Irish dive bar Paddy's Pub in South Philadelphia but spend most of their free time drinking, scheming, arguing among themselves, and plotting elaborate cons against others, and at times each other, for personal benefit, financial gain, revenge, or simply due to boredom or inebriation.        I have wallowed in the inane shenanigans of Charlie Day , Glenn Howerton, Rob McElhenney, Kaitlin Olson , and Danny DeVito for years now that I didn’t notice that I just completed 16 seasons! The jokes are frat house juvenile, the antics are high school crassness but hell I cared? LOL! These low comedic leisure programs balanced the high-handed depth and mind-boggling intellectualism of the other series in my huge watch list. Besides, the Gang’s mischief is “better” than the political humor that amuses this side and infur

“The Watchers” (2024, Max) supernatural horror film written and directed by Ishana Night Shyamalan in her directorial debut, produced by her father M. Night Shyamalan , and based on the 2021 novel by A. M. Shine. This mystery thriller proves that 25-year old Ishana can do horror, and could even compete with dad.  The plot isn’t really something that hasn’t been explored before. But the young filmmaker knows how and when to scare us. The story follows a 28-year-old artist who becomes trapped in a vast, untouched forest in the west of Ireland . Seeking shelter, she becomes trapped alongside three strangers who are stalked by mysterious creatures every night. I won’t say anymore. The ensemble performance work of Dakota Fanning , Georgina Campbell , Olwen Fouéré and Oliver Finnegan are also fun to watch. 🎥💻📽 “Bone Tomahawk” (2015, Netflix) Western action. This indie movie by first-time director S. Craig Zahler has gravitas: Kurt Russell, Richard Jenkins, Patrick Wilson and Ma

“Presumed Innocent” (Apple TV+) legal drama/thriller , based on the 1987 novel of the same name by Scott T urow and an adaptation of the 1990 film starring Harrison Ford and Brian Dennehy . Premise: A prosecutor becomes the prime suspect in the murder of his colleague with whom he was having an affair.        Another David E. Kelley courtroom battle. I discovered him in “Boston Legal” (2004-2008), and continued to enjoy him in “Big Little Lies” and “The Lincoln Lawyer.” Although I was hugely disappointed with “A Man in Full,” I am fairly entertained by “Presumed Innocent.”        The outcome of the murder mystery isn't concluded until the final Episode 8. Yet the navigation of the case from Ep1 to Ep7 wasn't plodding or anti-climactic. You just gotta hold on till it's over. Editing is brisk and sure, pacing serves the show's delicious suspense.         Credit as well goes to a well-orchestrated performance, especially J ake Gyllenhaal 's central Rusty Sabich. Insp