I was unsure about how I was going to feel about this movie, but still saw it as soon as I had the opportunity. Already a big fan of David O. Russell and Jennifer Lawrence, I easily fell in love with the film. We need more films that focus on mental illness and what healing means, including how different that healing looks for each person. Yes, sometimes it looks like despair; other times it looks a lot like love.

There is a moment when Tiffany, played by Lawrence, gets into the face of Bradley Cooper’s character and says: “There will always be a part of me that is dirty and sloppy, but I like that, just like all the other parts of myself. I can forgive. Can you say the same for yourself, fucker? Can you forgive? Are you capable of that?” And it is moments like these that make this film both perfect and loveable with its delicately flawed characters and incredible script.

I have to admit The Devil Inside had some very fairly successful moments. Part of what makes the film seem at first like it might work is its focus on the relationship between Isabella and her possessed mother. That being said, the film doesn’t have a lot going for it besides those few scary moments. It has a great amount of plot holes, poor performances, and…was I scared because it was atmospheric and well made? Or because I knew — at some point — something was going to jump out in front of my face? Tough call.

While Wright’s book can be tough to get through, its eye-opening approach to international feminism is incredibly worthwhile. She really grabbed hold of me when I was pushing back against it, thinking it would be too distant to really grasp. Its tangibility is almost remarkable.

If I could give this the rating I want, I’d probably give it 4.5 stars. I should also say that I’m a horror film lover and I’m pretty picky. The Cabin in the Woods is full of surprises and is a really exciting movie. It just grows to be so much that you know it has to explode; the third act is that explosion. I’d definitely recommend it because it’s rare to have a horror movie that’s scary, fun, and really interesting. I’m being vague because there are so many surprises — the surprises begin during the opening credits — and I am glad I knew so little going in.

I enjoyed this movie mainly for Jesse Eisenberg and Aziz Ansari, and they were pretty great together. Not a fan of the racist and sexist humor, honestly, and that made me like it less. I think it’s worth a watch just because it’s easy viewing, and the over the top feeling of the entire plot works when you watch some brainless entertainment.

My review is sort of a reply to the other review that’s been posted.

Personally, I thought “Scheiße” was the best track on the album. It’s such a great feminist anthem. I was really disappointed in “Born This Way” as an LGBTQ/worldwide anthem because of its problematic language (“orient”), but this track redeems her efforts to represent and stand up for important social justice issues. Also songs like “Judas,” “Highway Unicorn,” “Heavy Metal Lover,” and “Bloody Mary” are brilliant. They’re sexy as hell and often come with a message I haven’t heard very frequently.

The album does have its weak moments (“Bad Kids,” “The Edge of Glory”), but…I didn’t even want the album and now I’m in love with a lot of it. I’m able to skip past the few weak tracks and really find the brilliance in the production.

One other thing – buying the Special Edition isn’t necessary. The couple of tracks added to the album itself and the second disc of remixes aren’t very good to me. The remixes seem like they’re supposed to inspire some kind of dance marathon, but really… they’re a bit boring. Boring pop music is painful.

I read a few reviews of this film that said you have to wait until the second half if you want to feel rewarded… Well, I waited. And that feeling never came. Although it’s annoying to read a list like the one I’m about to give, it’s honestly the best way to address the film’s flaws. The acting – especially Thea Gill – was really awful. I felt really awkward for her the entire time. Also, the way the climax built up was annoying and when the big moment finally happened, I was fairly underwhelmed. The writing was also frequently offensive and it felt as if those working on the project felt uncomfortable with some of the things that were happening.

With a tagline like “THEGRADUATEFOR A NEWGENERATION,” I expect something more. Tragedy and sexuality. Neither really felt present.

I’m incredibly picky with action films. They’re usually too long or full of generic scenes of crazy car crashes and shoot-outs so intense that I’ve no idea who anyone one is…and I kind of want to punch myself in the face. Not the case with this movie. I really enjoyed it and found myself so swept up in it that when it ended – on such a cliffhanger, no less! – I wanted more. And made a dumb pouty face for about twenty minutes.

The acting is pretty fantastic which is something that, in my experience, is often lacking in action films. I own over 300 movies and about four or five of those fall into the action category. This one might be joining my collection. Angelina Jolie is sort of irresistible in this role, but there’s no need to feel guilty about it. It’s just really great.

Here’s hoping there’s a sequel.

Having recently become more involved in queer rights activism, I finally watched this film today and realized I’d waited too long to see it. I really loved it. To me, it was really created with this perfect balance of factual information, important details of the attack and trials, and how those around the situation felt along with an emotional impact for those who’d not heard enough about what had happened or, if they’d heard about it, didn’t have correct information.

It was hard to watch in moments. But it is worth pushing through the scenes that make your throat hurt and your hands slowly gravitate toward your eyes because although it was made in 2002 about events in 1998, it’s so incredibly relevant. And clocking in at only 96 minutes, it’s a small sacrifice to learn a lot.

I could handle the camp and the unclear plot points if it were at least scary. But it isn’t. That feels like the film’s biggest mistake.