Skip to main content

Dumb Money (2023)

 


Dumb Money is a drama following the GameStop squeeze back in 2021.

Craig Gillespie had done a "based on a true story" before with I, Tonya and I think The Finest Hours. I, Tonya is his best movie, and after seeing this I still wouldn't say that I look forward to seeing a Gillespie movie.

Paul Dano does a pretty good job as Keith Gill, but I think anyone could have played this role. Pete Davidson looks worse than he's ever been in previous films but does an okay job being the asshole brother Kevin.

There are lots of little characters who don't add anything to the story other than diversity. There are two lesbians, Anthony Ramos is just there to dance and flip off Dane DeHaan, and a Hispanic nurse who just watches TV with her best friend. I believe the whole purpose was sort of disingenuous as it made it seem like anyone who isn't white is poor.

Dumb Money doesn't have a lot to say so it fills time with all these other characters and odd scenes like a woman putting her hand down another woman's pants for whatever reason. It's better than The Little Mermaid, but it still has many flaws. C-.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Nobody 2 (2025)

Nobody 2 comes with a change in creative leadership, as Timo Tjahjanto takes over directing duties from Ilya Naishuller . The difference is noticeable, with the sequel lacking the same energy and spark that made the first film stand out. The script, written by Aaron Rabin , suffers from uneven pacing and tonal issues. While he avoids some of the pitfalls that bogged down his work on Marvel’s Secret Invasion , his late-game writing choices undercut the story’s tension and credibility. Bob Odenkirk once again commits to his role, doing the best he can with a weaker script. His physicality and dry delivery still make him a compelling lead, but the film doesn’t give him much new ground to cover. You'll remember Bob from Better Call Saul and Breaking Bad . Connie Nielsen is underwritten, with her character lacking individuality or meaningful development. She feels more like a placeholder than a partner to Odenkirk’s character, which is disappointing given her talent. You'll r...

Americana (2025)

Americana (2025) is written and directed by Tony Tost , best known for his work on Longmire . His approach here focuses more on character work than plot, with the script itself being serviceable but not remarkable. Still, it provides a strong platform for the cast to showcase their abilities. Sydney Sweeney delivers an impressive performance as a waitress with a stutter, bringing nuance and empathy to a role that could have easily felt one-note. It’s one of her more grounded performances and a highlight of the film. You'll remember Syd from her American Eagle commercial. Halsey is nearly unrecognizable in her role, playing with a fierceness that stands out and proves her versatility outside of music. Her presence commands attention whenever she’s on screen. I was first introduced to her from MGK 's music video Forget Me Too. Eric Dane takes on a villain role and succeeds at being thoroughly hate-able, leaning into his darker side effectively. His work gives the film muc...

Barbarian (2022)

  Barbarian is about a woman staying at an AirBnB and discovers that there is more to the house she has rented than what was expected. Written and Directed by Zach Cregger, Barbarian is the third film behind Miss March and The Civil War on Drugs. Both were forgettable and both were before Cregger knew really how to direct. This change is night and day, almost like how Ben Affleck made the switch over from doing Gili in 2003 to The Town in 2010. The writing is just shy of great. A great horror film will keep you wondering just how things will end. There certainly were moments I was wondering just how Cregger would end this film. There are some predictable scenes and certain directorial choices make you believe for a second that something else is happening entirely. There is one scene of exposition I despised and didn't help the storyline at all except pander to audiences that aren't intelligent. Georgina Campbell plays Tess, the main character. She is expressive and carries the ...