NativeGuilt's Movie Reviews

My grandfather Hector O. Valencia  was born in April 1932 (probably) and  died in April 2015. He never could go out to the movies all that much due to his PTSD, but he loved westerns.  So I decided that this month, I wanted to spend it how I've spent his birthday every year for the last ten years: watching westerns, and thinking about him. This year, I saw one western a day for the entire month of April ; fifteen that I have seen before and fifteen completely new to me*. So why do I love westerns? I think they are such a fascinating intersection of so many themes: outlaws vs lawmen, the veneer of sophistication next to aboriginal tradition and values, male violence and female isolation, poor & impoverished immigrants and Civil War veterans of both sides looking for that oft promised american dream, and the simple brutality of the West—where the laws of god and man don't mean much when you're staring down the barrel of a Colt Peacemaker. Like everywhere in the world, t...

  Heyo! Been a weird month, still depressed lol. Went to go visit my sister-in-law in Texas which slowed down my viewings a bit. Still saw 33 films this month, which feels more sustainable long term than January and February were.  Rhymes for Young Ghouls [2013] An odd but thought provoking Indigenous story. It's boarding school moments made it more horrific than the supposed horror film Clearcut was imo (this was a perfect follow up to that movie btw). I admire Aila's strong spirit and empathize with her struggle to express her rage, but I do feel the movie needed some more attention in the editing room.     7/10 Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person [2023] How is this the most adorable vampire movie I've ever seen?     8.5/10 Michael [1996] I liked this movie more in theory than in execution (the aloof archangel on a roadtrip moments are peak). No hate on MacDowell, but Travolta and Hurt were the wrong casting choice. Travolta at least seem...