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Reviews
Fallout (2024)
Great....but what's with the horrendous music?
Can't say enough great things about this show and other reviewers have stated the obvious. But no one mentions the blasting, god awful music that is playing whenever the scenes switch to the Vault or Lucy's character. Often the music overrides the dialogue and lasts the duration of the song. Seriously? There is absolutely no connection of the music with the scenes. I get that the director want's to imply a long past era of when the vault was set up, but that would be the early atomic age of the late 50's and early 60's. Sorry, the music doesn't fit as most of the soundtrack dates from 1940's to early 1950's and is screeching too loud. This works for Boardwalk Empire, but not this show. One can only guess that the producers went on the cheap and acquired free music that is part of the public domain rather than pony up and purchase some of the outstanding music of the correct time period.
The Midnight Club (2022)
Really a waste of time.
This was the least enjoyable of Mike Flanagan's usually solid production team. Not horror, not much in the way of character development and nothing to hook me in.
The only thing it lived up to was the most "jumps" per episode or something like that. The jumps aka cheap attempts to scare you come at excessive speed and neither scare or frighten. They serve only to ensure that the remote control is close at hand to turn the volume down. I had to wonder if this was the same director who gave us all those other great Hill, Bly, House of Usher and Midnight Mass masterpieces.
Hard pass on this one!
Bowie: The Man Who Changed the World (2016)
No music. No fun.
Not so exciting documentary and does no justice to his long great career and music. Did I say music? There is absolutely no Bowie songs played at all in this documentary currently being aired on Netflix. They go at lengths to review "Space Oddity", yet do not play one second of the song. They could have paid for a cover band to perform at least a few chords. Cheapskate production.
Only useful for the interviews not much else. New Bowie fans will have to look elsewhere to find a documentary that provides full exposure and solid treatment. I am trying to think of more to write due to the 600 character requirement but it is very hard to find a lot to say about this show. It started off good, then with no music it got kinda boring so i ended up looking on youtube for Bowie music and found lots of great stuff. Man this review is getting way to long. I am losing interest. Think I am going to watch rings of power now. Yep. It isn't that bad. Kinda of low budget but fills the fantasy gaps as i don't have enough money to afford HBO and watch the dragons. Did i reach 600 yet. Let me check.
The Romanoffs: The Violet Hour (2018)
Old white dude saves the day
Colorful well acted characters in my favorite city doesn't lead to a believable story. Yeah the old white guy, just swoops in (and impregnates) the poor ethnic girl (20 years younger), while his 14 year younger girlfriend is upstairs sleeping. Hajar (quite conservative Muslim), who is studying to be a nurse, needs him to nurse her scrapped knee at his pad, girlfriend upstairs, and submits to passion. Oh yes, only in Weinsteins world!
Le chalet (2017)
Great Binge
Very well put together French Crimi. Beautiful setting and excellent acting. Storyline gets a bit stretched at times but all is forgiven.
Best viewed in original language, else you miss all the subtleties that dubbing cannot provide. The French have mastered the art of suspense filmmaking without big budgets and is to be commended. Six episode masterpiece!
Atropa (2018)
Fantastic!!
Outta nowhere!! Caught this gem whilst scrolling through YouTube and cannot say enough. A seven episode short (15 min or less) series, put together by some ones that have a total grasp and understanding of everything great about sci-fi. Acting, script, effects all top notch and put many big productions to shame. Wife and I and finishing up episode 7 and at the edge of our seats. This is the way science fiction was meant to be. Whoever produced this masterpiece, stand proud! Excellent!!!
Beckett (2021)
Pops Ain't Proud
Really waste of talent. I cannot believe Washington & Vikander, both top actors, signed up for this junk. Their on screen chemistry was absolutely off, story line ridiculous, and acting awful. It only gets four stars, just because I felt generous. Watch only if your play list is empty.
Blood Red Sky (2021)
A bit too long, but enjoyable enough
Nice, new story line (vampires on a plane!), with an excellent international cast. Film is a German/English production, so watch in original without the dubbing. Everyone speaking their native language adds to the tension and you wont miss any of the nuances that come with the actors. Use subtitles if necessary.
Unfortunately, the film drags on a bit long especially the overextended fighting scenes. A little editing and I up it a star or two. Or give the great Graham McTavish more screen time!
Okja (2017)
Superb!
This is one of the best movies I have seen in a long time. Left me speechless. CGI is on another level, Tilda Swinton never ceases to surprise, and Ahn Seo-Hyun is outstanding in the starring role. It is a message movie and doesn't conceal that fact. Watch, enjoy and perhaps get touched in ways you never thought possible. Don't forget to sit through the credits for additional scenes.
ÜberWeihnachten (2020)
Most unlikeable Main Character
Movie was decent fare, with the exception of the main character, Bastian. He returns to his quaint small German town for Christmas and finds his brother has hooked up with his ex girlfriend. His character is basically a self centered, rude, no talent bully, but somehow he hooks up with his brothers old girlfriend. He outs his gay fiend in public, ruins his girlfriends business, spoils the holiday, makes everything about him, and at the end, all is mostly forgiven. In one day too! Serious?
Good for a distraction. Holiday time only.
Insidious: Chapter 2 (2013)
Annoying scare tactics not necessary
This series (1&2) could have been so much more if they hadn't fell into the teen scream cliché of BOO! every 5 minutes. The loud screams, the jumps, ohh my. Boring! Superb acting all around and plot decent (although familiar), cannot overcome the directors juvenile need to have a scare every few minutes. He should have paid attention to the classic films that were shown on the TV sets instead of using it for props.
Holidate (2020)
Not family fare
Be forewarned that this is not for family viewing. Loads of vulgar language and sexual innuendos will make for uncomfortable explaining to younger viewers.
That being said, it is funny enough and a welcome respite from all the standard cheesy fare offered up around the holiday's. Premise and acting is solid and singles (or those once single) who experienced the partner-less holiday explaining will get it.
Enjoy...but after tucking the kiddies to bed.
Barbarians (2020)
Bring a little dreck to the set
Ok. I have to accept that this is a low budget, made for TV German series and has no where near the budget of Gladiator or even Lost Kingdom/Vikings, but come on.
Where is the dreck (mud & dirt)? Every one of the Germanic warriors looks like they just came out of a nice hot bath, fresh clean clothes straight from the laundry, sparking white teeth, etc. Serious? The costume department really believes everyone from that period was so clean?
This area of Europe was dark, grimy, dirty and a real struggle to survive. I also see a lot of roly poly men, straight out of a burger king diet. Not a chance. The Germanic tribes would have fed those softies to the wolves long before adult hood.
Lastly, good move keeping the original languages, but everyone is speaking perfect German. No dialects or rough vocabulary. There was barely any written word in this period and most people would not have spoken so educated sounding.
Fair enough 5 stars. If there is another season, read a few history books and get back to basics.
Away (2020)
Natural sleep aid
I am six episodes in, and have fallen asleep through everyone. Will keep watching though as it helps me as a sleep aid. Bring it on.
Da 5 Bloods (2020)
Visionary Interrupted
Spike Lee, along with Quentin Tarantino, are two of the most thought provoking visionaries of their (and mine) generations. This one just fails on too many fronts. Acting is really bad, especially Delroy Lindo, who is usually great in everything. Story line is all over the place, bordering on ridiculous at times and nothing really holds this film together.
The filming is gorgeous though and the soundtrack is beautiful. The historical flashbacks and retrospectives were great as many folks today have no clue of the upheaval of the late 60's, especially of the influential figures like Angela Davis and Bobby Seale. Unfortunately, this film appears to have been rushed out (my impression) to resonate with the current political and social crisis, but Spike should have held off, edited it a bit and it seriously could have been one of the best films of the year.
The Fall (2013)
Oh you coulda been a 9.6
Quite a mix between the first half of the three-season arc and the second half.
On one side we have a superb, well-acted suspense thriller and on the other side is a bungling misfit of police who couldn't solve the mystery of their own shadow disappearing in the night.
Seasons 1 and half of Season 2 are excellently scripted, flawless, and I was on the edge of my sofa the entire time. Easily deserving a 9.6, it was so good.
The second portion of the series is a marathon of police blunders and downright unbelievable faux-pas. Just a few...
Spector was the prime suspect and could have been brought in and held numerous times while they did a "legal" search of his residence. Instead we are offered up a clandestine search, whereby the keystone cops fall through the attic. Really?
When police are investigating Spectors' possible crime site, Agent Gibson sees a vehicle (Spector inside) approach the scene, turn off its lights, back up/reverse down and then turn around. She isn't concerned one bit and he slowly drive away. Only precious minutes later does she realize something was odd.
When Spector is being escorted in the country to help locate one of the victims he is handcuffed to the lightest, skinniest officer in the entire police force.
Numerous times Spector is allowed to roam down the halls of the hospital and psych wards without any restraints.
How has he healed so fast from critical gunshot wounds?
Why is the injured Spector placed in the same hospital room as one of his victims? Great plan team!
Why is he assigned a nurse who looks exactly like all his victims?
During interrogations, Spector is never handcuffed although he is a multi-serial killer. Of course, he uses this "lack of proper procedure" to assault Gibson and her fellow officer.
After this assault he is calmly taken back to the psych house, unsecured, where after a bit he promptly attacks staff.
Why is a regulation pool table inside the rec room of the psych patient's hospital? Didn't it occur to anyone that pool sticks and balls can be used as weapons? Yes, they were.
The list goes on....I'm starting to second guess my 7 rating now.
In closing, the Producers need to issue an apology to the entire Northern Ireland Police Department for unfairly portraying them. Not fair.
Outlander: Famous Last Words (2020)
zzz....what happened?..zzzz..what I miss?..zzzz..When is it over?
I fell asleep three times during this episode. Were the producers just trying to fulfill a contract obligation to produce so many episodes per season? I have been waiting all year for the return of young Ian, and this is all we get? I swear he was trying to off himself just to get away from the constant flashbacks of Rodger's hanging. This could be the most boring episode of the entire run. And sadly this season has lots of competition. The worst ever.
Ghost Wars (2017)
One and Done
Who paid off all those folks to give this misery 6-7 stars is the real mystery? Acting bad, effects bad, script bad. Lucky Netflix has more in the library. No need to waste your time on this bottom of the barrel offering.
The Clapper (2017)
Painful
If you looking for some isolation comedy...look elsewhere. The Clapper is extremely painful to watch and even calling this a bad comedy is a stretch. Tracy Morgan is really the only bright spot. The only other amusing scenes are those (very short) with Mark Cuban and Gronk. Ed Helms and Amanda Seyfried have absolutely no chemistry as two lost souls. Both good actors in their own right, just not here. Amanda's character is way too undamaged and gorgeous to fall for the much older loser character that Ed Helms portrays. One doesn't ever see this in real life. Anyway....just wasted a Sunday morning. Never getting that back.
The Walking Dead: Morning Star (2020)
Pathetic hilltop defense
OMG!
That was the most pathetic display of defending one's homeland I have ever seen. The whisperers have arrows and fire and the hill-toppers just have Eugene's weak ass electric fence. Thought this guy was a science genius! Every fourth grader understands about overloading circuits. Jeeez. And that was their best defense? No trenches, no burning cauldrons, no crossbows or even spear/Punji stick walls, even though they have an ample supply of forests in the surrounding area. Did not one person ever pay attention in history and remember about medieval castle defense (I give Judith a break). Or modern trench warfare for that matter? I was cringing seeing everyone sitting around, singing, laughing, all the while the horde (who they knew was coming) was getting ever closer. Pathetic.
If this is the best humanity has to offer, we are in really bad shape. Hoping Michonne come through and sets these folks straight.
1922 (2017)
For Thomas Jane fanatics only
Jane does a masterful performance, but the rest of the movie drags on way to long and is predictable right from the start. Put me to sleep. Farmer hates wife, farmer kills wife, bad things happen...boooooo! No real suspense unless you are squeamish about rats. Knew I should have watched Treadstone instead..
The Witcher (2019)
Probably should read the books first
Whew....this was a confusing ride. Having never read the books or knew anything about the series, I went in blind, but hoped for the best. As a fan of most all things fantasy & period and Sci-Fy (as long as well written/produced) I expected something superior based on the excellent reviews.
This was a head banger. Trying to figure out the story line and twisting plots with all the flashbacks thrown in is a major challenge. The show meanders all over the place with too many characters thrown in without a story line. The acting/filming is decent and Henry Cavill is well cast in the starring role. Yet there were too many unexplained stories and I was left with the feeling that the producer's sort of expected the viewer to know the all backstories beforehand.
Why the producers only made 8 episodes is another big mystery. This is no heavy investment production like GoT with all the costs associated. This films like a Vikings budget. Lots of outdoor sets, minimal CGI, and no high salary stars. Yet the Vikings managed to put out 20 episodes a season. Plenty of hours for timelines and adventures to play out and to develop characters. No development here. Bam! These are the Mages and u better know what they are about.
Having said all that, it is decent enough, but I was left wanting so much more. Too many "what the heck is going on moments". I'm guessing the books do a lot more justice to all the back stories and flow (just like GoT). Recommend reading first, as I hope too. And wait until 2021 for the second season. What?
Liu lang di qiu (2019)
I wandered off to sleep
What a snooze fest! Fell asleep about 30 minutes in, then fast forwarded just to see how it ends. Adding to my misery, I made the mistake of watching the dubbed version. Disaster. I've known quite a few Chinese folks and no one speaks the way the characters were dubbed. It was a throwback to 50's and 60's when ToHo studios was producing decent Sci-Fi/horror films only to have them ruined in the dubbing process.
As for the film itself.....CGI was ok, but nothing exceptional. I expected way more. Story line was really incoherent, even when accepting the premise of moving the Earth out of orbit. Main characters were really bland, except for the father stuck in the space station, and most downright annoying.
It's worth watching only for a base line to compare and rate future Chinese Sci-Fi films which I am confident will be spectacular. Back to the keyboard.
In the Heart of the Sea (2015)
Mediocre Presentation
This movie should have been so much better. A decent cast, good film-work and quality CGI. What went wrong? The whole affair seems to have been assembled half hardheartedly, with the story lines often dragging on and then blasting through events quickly. One doesn't get a sense of the delirium of being stranded a sea for months at a time and they look far too fit to start resorting to poor diet choices.
Usually Ron Howard films are pretty decent even if they barely cover expenses. This one falls way off the mark in both areas. OK for an afternoon, with pauses for naps. Don't save it for evening entertainment though.
The I-Land (2019)
Not that bad. Really.
Wow. I am absolutely dumbfounded by all the negative reviews for the I-Land. Seriously, a 4.4 rating? I believe some are unfairly comparing it to "Lost", a show that definitely was way over-rated (really, 8.3?), which started out great, but crashed and burned after season 4 with the story lines getting more & more ridiculous.
Back to I-Land, the plot is much more plausible than Lost and quite believable. A future prison doing experiments on the convicted is not farfetched at all. These are all (mostly) hardened criminals/sociopath's and their unpredictable behavior on the island totally makes sense. Add in amnesia and you get some very confused disturbed actions by the convicts.
The acting could have been better, but some (Bruce McGill, Natalie Martinez, Caroline Hewitt) really shined and lifted the script. The Bonnie & Clyde team were excellent.
The only fault I have is that the series seemed to be a bit rushed and should have lasted a few more episodes. This would have allowed the suspense to build a bit more and explore character back stories. What happened with the cannibal?
All in all, a decent enough series, and easily binge able on a long rainy weekend.