Nerdy Squirrel Reviews by Pasckie Pascua

“Kajillionaire” (2020, Amazon Prime) crime comedy-drama . Pre-watch, I got multiple reasons why I clicked this on: Miranda July . I was cool with her “ Me and You and Everyone We Know ” (2005) and “ The Future ” (2011). Miranda also wrote and directed this movie. And then add Richard Jenkins, Debra Winger, and Evan Rachel Wood, who never disappointed me.        Plot: Old Dolio Dyne (Ms Wood), an emotionally stunted 26-year-old woman, is in a manipulative relationship with her con artist parents, Robert and Theresa (Mr Jenkins and Ms Winger). They treat her as an accomplice to their petty thefts and scams rather than as a daughter. The family owes $1,500 of back rent on their apartment in Los Angeles , which is actually a leaking office space attached to a soap factory.        Interesting plotline? Yup. Ms July, by the way, has authored several books, so she's pretty comfy with the raconteur bit. Old Dolio, hippie ha...

“Red Lights” (2012, Hulu) psychological supernatural thriller . The plot focuses on a physicist and a university psychology professor, both of whom specialize in debunking supernatural phenomena, and their attempt at discrediting a renowned psychic whose greatest critic mysteriously died 30 years prior.        Written, directed, produced and edited by Rodrigo Cortés , the leads are win-win: Cillian Murphy as physicist Tom Buckley, Sigourney Weaver as psychologist Margaret Matheson, and Robert De Niro as renowned psychic Simon Silver.        The discourse is undoubtedly intriguing but the navigation of the subject matter seemed bombastically contrived and confectionery kitschy. I would have loved to see more docu/journalism styled exploration, especially in regards the “faith healing” area but this is presented on a tabloid-ish bit that “Red Lights” appeared like a tabloid news as reported by opinionated talking h...

“Lake George” (2024, Hulu) crime thriller film written and directed by Jeffrey Reiner . Jeffrey is the brother of Rob; sons of Carl. You dig? The little movie had a scant plot but it somehow worked due to the dynamic chemistry between Shea Whigham and Carrie Coon as two people who go on a road trip to steal from an Armenian gangster.        Fresh out of jail after serving a ten year stint, former insurance adjuster Don (Mr Whigham) has found that there are few options open to him. None of his former associates are of any help, so Don decides to collect on a debt owed to him by an Armenian gangster named Armen. Fully aware that Don is in desperate need of cash, Armen tells him that he will pay Don back-but only if he kills Armen's girlfriend Phyllis (Ms Coon).         Shea is my favorite second-man or top supporting actor who never received due recognition. But he is really good. And, of course, Carrie is alway...

“The Penguin” (HBO) action/drama miniseries , based on the DC Comics character of the same name , or a spin-off from the 2022 film “ The Batman .” The story explores the rise to power of Oz “Oswald” Cobb or The Penguin in Gotham City 's criminal underworld.        As in the Batman saga, this side of the superhero lore has no supernatural heroism or mutant villains. All characters are pretty much the good guys and the bad guys. Although in “The Penguin,” there's really no good guy here. All are bad, including Oz of course. But that's okay. In fact, it was more realistic than most “realism” movies.         The production design's disheveled texture and cadaverous grey fit the series dark theme of evil power and gangster cool. You will not recognize Colin Farrell at all as he completely lost himself in Oz's flawed body and tortured soul. He deservedly won the Golden Globes acting award for this.   ...

“RAMBO FRANCHISE.” <1>“First Blood” (1982, Pluto TV). <2>“Rambo: First Blood Part II” (1985, Pluto TV). <3>“Rambo III” (1988, Pluto TV). <4>“Rambo” (2008, Netflix). <5>“Rambo: Last Blood” (2019, Netflix). In all five movies, John Rambo stayed troubled and misunderstood from 1982’s “First Blood” to 2019’s “Rambo: Last Blood.”          The storyline template: Mr Rambo is a Vietnam veteran who must rely on his combat and survival skills when a series of brutal events pummeled his life (and the people he was with), starting in the fictional small town of Hope, Washington in “First Blood.”         Then he went abroad: Afghanistan, Burma, Mexico etcetera to save lives all by himself. Because he is Rambo. From I to V, the action and explosions improved, hence more violent and gory. And the drama is more believable, going forward.         Direct...

“Heretic” (2024, Max) horror film , written and directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods . Two young Mormon missionaries attempt to convert a man who is more dangerous than he seems. The movie from “dark cinema indie” A24 received positive reviews from critics and grossed $57.4 million worldwide. For his performance, Hugh Grant (as the heretic) received Best Actor nominations at the Golden Globes , the Critics' Choice Awards , and the BAFTA Awards .        This is the best A24 offering so far, if you ask me. The subject matter of religion is wildly intriguing and surreally provocative. Writing by Mr Beck and Mr Woods are quite nerdy but altogether interesting.         Meanwhile, Mr Grant delivered allure, poise, and evil as camouflaged by that characteristic smile. Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East as the Mormon Sisters aren't so bad either. In case you usually shy away from horror, “Heretic” isn't a big turn off f...

“Little Boy Blue” (Britbox) British drama series about the murder of Rhys Jones in Croxteth , Liverpool in 2007. Background story: On 22 August 2007, an eleven-year-old English boy was murdered in Liverpool while walking home from football practice. Sean Mercer, aged 16 at the time of the shooting, went on trial on 2 October 2008, and was found guilty of murder on 16 December. Mr Mercer was sentenced to life imprisonment serving a minimum of 22 years; three other young men were sentenced to jail albeit lesser terms.        For his performance as Rhys’s father Steve, Brían F. O'Byrne won the British Academy Television Award for Best Supporting Actor in 2018. Although all others in this short 4-episode drama deserved an award, including Stephen Graham as the cop in charge of the case, DS Dave Kelly, and Sinéad Keenan as Melanie, Rhys’s mother.        After watching it, I was joking that if this series is a Hollywo...