| Table of Reviews |
|---|
Uglies – Review
Uglies – Netflix – 1 hour and 40 minutes
| Stream Only on Netflix | |
|---|---|
 |
 |
Tally, known as Squint in the dorms, can’t wait for her 18th birthday. She will become the person she always wanted and join the City of Pretties. Years ago, people called Rusties depended on fossil fuels and almost destroyed the world. However, scientists created a flower to replace the resources, but people still had issues. Those scientists decided to give everyone plastic surgery to be their best physically. If everyone looked alike, then it would end discrimination. So far, their plan has worked. However, Pretties call those without surgery Uglies.
Tally meets with her best friend, Peris, who everyone calls Nose. It’s the night before Peris’s surgery, and Tally worries she will lose him once he moves to The City and becomes a Pretty. He assures her their friendship will last. They make a pact to keep the scar on their hand and meet at a bridge in one month.
The school gathers in the auditorium, and Dr. Cable calls forth everyone celebrating their 18th birthday. Peris says goodbye. Tally is happy for him but sad for herself. Tally’s classmate, Shay, notices. One month later, Tally sneaks out of the dorms and goes to the bridge, but Peris doesn’t show. Tally dawns a mask to disguise herself and goes into The City to find Peris. She locates him, but he doesn’t want to talk to her. He’s having too much fun being pretty. Tally removes her mask, and the security system alarms about an Ugly being in The City. Tally makes a daring escape, and Shay saves her. They go to the dorms, become friends, and share the same birthday. Tally can’t wait until they will be Pretties together.
Shay runs into some friends after teaching Tally to ride a hoverboard. Tally doesn’t believe her eyes when she sees one of the friends handing Shay a book (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). Tally’s never seen a book before, so Shay gives it to Tally. Shay says she got it from David. David is a ghost story from a fabled city called The Smoke. Shay tells everyone that David and The Smoke exist.
Shay takes Tally to an abandoned amusement park the day before their surgeries. Shay admits that she doesn’t want the surgery. Shay wants to go to The Smoke and live with David and his people. She will leave tonight and has enough food and supplies for Tally to come. Tally refuses, and Shay leaves but gives Tally coded directions.
Tally sits in the waiting room anxiously waiting for her surgery, but they don’t call her name. An unknown man takes Tally to Dr. Cable. Dr. Cable knows Shay didn’t come to the surgery and quietly demands Tally unveil Shay’s location. Tally says she doesn’t know. Dr. Cable informs Tally that David is creating a weapon to destroy The City, and the world will become ugly again. They need to locate where David is hiding it. Dr. Cable says Shay is in danger because David has brainwashed her. Tally may not know the location, but Dr. Cable believes Tally knows how to find Shay. She gives Tally a beacon necklace. She tells Tally to activate the necklace when she unearths the weapon. Then, Tally can save Shay, The City, and her surgery. Tally leaves to save a life but discovers she hasn’t lived.
Based on Uglies by Scott Westerfeld, viewers should know this movie is the first of a four-part series and ends on a cliffhanger (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). This plot follows the formula for post-apocalyptic dramas but uses looks as its focus. Making yourself beautiful appeals to a younger audience raised in a world of filters. Gen Alpha and Gen Z live with influencers promoting cosmetic procedures as an easy fix to life problems. However, they don’t see what they sacrifice over time. This film takes it to the extreme, but the message resonates. They look at The City from afar and feel like outsiders. They see a world where everyone is happy, included, and problem-free. They envy The Pretties in their perfect society. However, Shay doesn’t want that life. A few Uglies want a life of freedom and refuse their label. Aside from the message, the graphics are mesmerizing. It brings the audience into this new world. Parents can use this movie to open a dialog with their teens.
I give it 4 out of 5 stars
Mirror, make me pretty – Tally
We made a promise – Peris
People believe what they want to believe. Use that to your advantage – Dr. Cable
You’re way cooler than you look – Shay
Welcome to The Smoke – David
Rebel Ridge – Review
Rebel Ridge – Netflix – 2 hours and 11 minutes
| Stream Only on Netflix | |
|---|---|
|
|
Terry bikes down the street with headphones on and doesn’t hear police behind him. They clip his back tire and force Terry off the bike. Officer Evan and Steve hold Terry at gunpoint and say he tried to evade the police. Terry tries to explain, but they cut him off and threaten him. They ask to search his belongings, and Terry rightfully asks them for a warrant. The officers tell Terry his refusal will force them to wait for a K-9 unit, which can take hours. Terry has to be at the courthouse soon. So, he allows the officers to look through his things. They find a bag with over $30,000 inside. Terry explains that $10,000 is for his cousin’s bail, and the rest is to start a business. They ask why Terry’s cousin, Michael, needs bail. Terry explains it’s for a drug charge. They determine the money is for illegal purposes and seize it. They let Terry go with a warning.
Terry races to the courthouse to explain, but they won’t listen. They will process Michael and send him to jail. A clerk, Summer, hears Terry’s pleas and meets with Terry at a diner. Summer informs Terry that he is a victim of civil forfeiture. His money doesn’t have civil rights. So, the police can change the property and keep it for themselves to spend at their discretion. Also, Terry suing the police won’t help because the lawyer fees will be more than the money, and it takes a year to prosecute.
Terry rides to the police station and sits with Officer Jessica. He reports the money stolen and names the two officers as the thieves. Chief Sandy tells Terry to leave and threatens him. Terry offers them a deal. He will take $10,000 to bail out Michael, and they can keep the rest. Later, Terry asks to see Michael before they send him to jail in exchange for the cash, and Sandy agrees.
Terry spends the night in the woods and bikes to the police station. However, Sandy tells Terry he is three minutes late. Terry jumps on his bicycle and catches the bus transport. Terry warns Michael to put himself in protective custody when they process him. Someone will kill Michael without protection. Terry travels to Summer’s office, but she’s afraid. Exposing the truth will affect her job and her daughter. Terry goes back to the police house to get his money. However, he reveals a startling cover-up. Can he survive to tell the truth?
Inspired by actual events, Rebel Ridge unpacks civil forfeiture and other police problems that impact all citizens. Officers can seize your property without charging you with a crime. Then, they can use that funding however they see fit with little oversight. The lawmakers expanded the law to hurt drug cartels, but now more citizens feel the shock. Chief Sandy makes a dire mistake. He assumes Terry is an unhoused individual without help. However, Terry is a marine with deadly acronyms. Once the action starts, it doesn’t let up. This movie could be a series, and viewers would beg for a second season. Also, the writers didn’t force a romance between Terry and Summer. They were two people who looked out for each other. Terry only had one goal: to save Michael. This film will be a favorite in your Netflix queue.
I give it 5 out of 5 stars
I haven’t done anything wrong – Terry
You’ve been treated with more than due respect – Chief Sandy
Look, I need this job, Terry – Summer
It was for me, not you – Jess
Share this:
Categories: Aaron Pierre, AnnaSophia Robb, Brianne Tju, Chase Stokes, Dana Lee, David Denman, Don Johnson, Emory Cohen, James Cromwell, Joey King, Keith Powers, Laverne Cox, movie, Netflix, Rebel Ridge, review, Steve Zissis, Uglies, VOD, Zsané Jhé
thatdarngirlmovie.reviews 