This week was slower in terms of major releases, and important films to pay attention to for the Oscars, but I still watched two.

The Social Reckoning

The first was The Social Reckoning, which has a stacked cast, and the same writer as The Social Network, which I do not want to spend the entire review comparing the two films but it is basically begging for the comparison, so I do want to do a comparison.

The Social Network is better in every capacity, and it is unfortunately not even all that close. The screenplay is weak compared to The Social Network’s airtight screenplay. The acting is a noticeable downgrade too.

The performances in general were mostly just ok, nothing stands out. I am a bit baffled by some people blaming the film’s weaknesses on Mikey Madison, when I felt she was middle of the road here, not bad not great either. The worst performance is easily Jeremy Strong’s portrayal of Mark Zuckerberg, and I understand that when playing someone as recognizable as Zuckerberg and going against an iconic performance from Jesse Eisenberg that adds extra challenges, but this felt as though they picked up any man off the street and asked them to do an impression of Zuckerberg, not the guy who gave a breath taking Oscar nominated performance in The Apprentice.

The film is broken into his plot and the two other leads Mikey Madison and Jeremy Allen White’s. Every time we were focused on what was going on with Zuckerberg, I was just wishing I was next door rewatching Digger.

The main plot is better; it is at least a lot more engaging. It is still not anything special I can think of a lot of movies this feels similar too that are all better than this one, but while I know I am being a bit harsh. It is not that bad, I just expect a lot more from a writer this talented.

Also going back to Mikey Madison I found it weird how she recently explained how she actually wanted to play Frances Haugen as far more faithful when signing onto to the project but was actively told by the writer and director Aaron Sorkin to not do that.

That along with other moments within the film specifically with Madison’s character felt sexist at times, and for a film that feels so self-righteous in calling out negative behavior I really do not like that that was allowed to slide in the film.

Overall, this film was a disappointment for me. I was excited to see what this team could bring forward, but it was just recycled and thought far too highly of itself for what was honestly ok at best.

Animals

I was asked to review this one which I was happy to do! Please feel free to let me know in the comment section, or if you see me in person like this person did, if there is a movie coming out that you want me to review I will happily do it!

Twos things I do want to make clear up before my review of this film Ben Affleck did state that he used generative AI for a lot of things in this film, and I personally am adamantly against that, and actually probably would not have watch it on that alone if I was not asked by someone to review it, and I really wanted to deliver on that. I think using generative AI in artist fields is not ok, no matter what methods are taken. Another thing I did watch this on Netflix rather than in a theater, I do not think it hindered my experience too much, but I wanted to be transparent that the viewing method has been different than every other film so far.

Now that I handled all my disclaimers, my actual opinion of the film. I actually am a pretty big fan of Ben Affleck’s work off camera. I have told many people I love his writing and directing more than his acting, and I do like his acting. Good Will Hunting is one of my favorite films of all time, and I love Argo. This was not quite on that level, but I can see what he was going for.

I really like the concept and the characters, having these sort of morally grey characters have to balance an election and saving a kid is a very compelling concept. I think it needed to lean even more into the election prospects of it all, it absolutely touched on it but going even more ham and dropping other stuff would elevate the story for me.

I also like stories that stay rather stationary, and I think that kept the tension high theoretically.

My biggest issue is that there is a lot of unnecessary melodrama. There is one scene in the movie that I rolled my eyes at because it felt like its only purpose was to cause another form of tension when it wasn’t necessary.  

My other concern was how much it dragged, and the melodrama added to that. The image that came to my mind while I was watching the film was it felt like when you are a little kid and you come out to the living room at night and see what your parents are watching for a moment, but because you are seven and you came in the middle it is super boring and feels sort of fake, that is exactly the feeling it gave me.

I am glad that it did not suffer from the Netflix writing tropes that we have been seeing more and more in media made for their service.

The acting was all solid, this is another stacked cast, so they are destined to deliver. No standout performances for me, I did want a lot more of Steven Yeun’s character but that was more from a writing and plot perspective than acting he was on par with everyone else.

Overall kind of a middle of the road film. The concept is far more exciting than what actually is delivered, but it is watchable. This might be right up your alley, and you will like everything I did not. Also, for the person who asked for this review I hope you enjoy the film if you end up watching it!