GulforDie Reviews

Succession (2018–2023)

Great dialog, but a repetitive drama w/ poor ending

[7/10 · 7 June 2023]

It's easy to enjoy Succession with it's superb dialog. But it repeats the formula for drama and becomes predictable in the beginning. Season 3 intros new characters for new drama. Unfortunately, the end of season 4, which is the series finally, fell super flat for me. There just wasn't enough justification for the "children" to suddenly leap from their normal tactics/behavior. This leap from their norms is supposed to be the crescendo to the shows emotional draw, but it was forced and way too abrupt for me to buy in.

I'd give the dialog a 10 if not for the constant political projection in this fantasy. The need to transfer all blame for what actually happens in American politics onto all things republican is repeatedly shoved down your throat in season 4. Seasons 1,2,3 can be written off as the typical "Hollywood" left-wing bias we all must endure with every movie and tv show. But S4 goes full throttle, resorting to primal left-wing outrage for eyeballs and that's a telltale sign the writers/creators have lost their creativity,

Poker Face (2023– )

Very Repetitive, Needs a More Dynamic Lead Actor

[5/10 · 15 February 2023]

Great idea that falls flat over time because the lead actor is just not dynamic enough to support the shows repetition. The beginning of every show relies heavily on a supporting cast. Poker face succeeds well here. But then PF repeats the same formula back to the lead actor taking center stage. I keep thinking back to the truck driver women in episode 2 and how PF could be a winner if she were the lead actor. Or if the writing (which is good for what it is) wasn't confined to the same formula box. Unless something spectacular happens this show will slide down to an average rating... I'm already bored and often times struggle to pay attention.

Legion (2017–2019)

LEGION is already inside of you!

[10/10 · 18 June 2019]

Season 3 starts on Monday and I can't wait! This master piece of mind bending possibilities is mixed with deep dives into the human psyche. LEGION is delivered with an explosion of cutting edge graphics, scenery and props all mixed and timed perfectly with skin tingling soundtracks. It's so well done, it feels like the show is shot directly into your veins - no eyes or ears needed, LEGION is already inside of you!

DO NOT skip ahead. DO NOT blink. DO NOT become impatient... Start with season 1 and stick with it! By the end of season 2 (if you have not gone completely insane) it will all make sense and you will NEVER look at television the same again. TV shows and movies will copy parts of this cable brilliance for years to come. Love it! Love it! Love it!

Upgrade (2018)

A #1!!!!!!!!!! 00011010101010010101110

[10/10 · 28 August 2018]

One of the best movies I have seen in a long time!! Stick with it...the ending is pretty much perfect!

Horror? Last I checked IMDB had it labeled in part 'Horror"???? Total nonsense. Just a great futuristic Action/Drama.

I will be looking every week for signs of Upgrade 2 and will be very bummed if it doesn't happen. I loved this movie!!

Star Trek: Discovery (2017–2024)

I love it!! *Update: love the first couple seasons, then it turns to crap

[6/10 · 14 November 2017]

Once again the "Hollywood" peeps have taken a high quality show and ruined it with left-wing politics. Everything written below was BEFORE the hard Left hand turn into crap....

This is the best Star Trek since "next generation"! I look forward to it every week. I love space and 'Discovery' offers us some glimpses into what may be out there. The second half, of this first season which starts in January, appears to take us on a trip to never before explored space.... AND THAT ROCKS!!!

The Star Trek "purists" that think every episode should be about human drama should stick with day time soap operas. Take me to the UNEXPLORED, show me the UNSEEN, RETHINK, REINVENT, LET THERE BE NO Boundaries!!!...including boundaries placed by "purists" from the original series...TEAR DOWN THOSE WALLS!!....THINK BEYOND!!!

Graphics, Acting, Stories, are all great. If you love space, you will LOVE this show!

13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi (2016)

Riviting Authenticity

[9/10 · 13 January 2016]

Riveting Authenticity is the first feeling I had when the movie ended. After watching these events unfold. If you don't feel for these real life men, soldiers, heroes, Americans.... You may want to consider a frontal lobotomy. Or just stop reading and/or watching anything political. This work is best viewed after removing the talking points/ talking heads. Only recount the actual time line of events from the Bengasi hearings on c-span. This work gives a mega phone to those who's voices where dismissed and a heart to those who can never speak again. Michael Bay clearly did the right thing by taking direction from those who where actually there. That is evident throughout the movie and really gives a heightened authenticity. One of the best historical war movies ever. Several emotions smack you hard throughout this movie. The acting was very well done by pretty much everyone. John Krasinski probably impressed me the most. I have not enjoyed much of anything he has done since the office. This is a rare film in that I will want to see again. I hope this work can help heal a country that was stabbed in the gut by the attempt to muddle the facts from that day.

Red Widow (2013)

Typical and Boring

[4/10 · 5 March 2013]

We've seen this a hundred times. The whole suspense is centered on the truth behind the opening event being withheld from the main character. And because of this undisclosed truth, the red widow embarks on an illegal and suspenseful journey. We are left with a few main characters and an idea that we must stay tuned as these characters are painfully developed, all while hoping the red widow will learn the truth! But, we all know she can't learn the truth until she is fully engaged and unable to leave her new life.

Unless: a nuclear bomb goes off like in "24", or a truly exceptionally twisted plot develops along with the characters like in "breaking bad", or an outrageous number of new interesting characters are introduced like in "game of thrones", OR the red widow starts kicking butt after a brain download like in the matrix....this will be a painful soap opera struggling to became a good action/drama. With a boring head bad guy and a lame group surrounding the mediocre red widow, I think it's clear this is likely to be a one season and done flop.

Hit and Run (I) (2012)

Surprisingly Good

[7/10 · 26 January 2013]

Tom Arnold does a good job in this movie. I would have liked to see his gun accidentally go off a little more in the second half of the movie. This extra slap stick could have driven it more toward a belly laugh comedy then trying to be sort of a love story with action and comedy thrown in.

In the end, I really ended up enjoying this movie. It's definitely worth watching. For a lower budget (mostly evident in the action scenes) Dax did a great job, hence the 7 rating. Is it worth owning and replaying, naaa.

The acting was good.

Battleship (2012)

Great Fun!!

[10/10 · 4 August 2012]

I loved this movie. Great sound track throughout. Timing of AC-DC's "thunder struck" was perfect. Sure this movie makes you swallow a bit, but in the end if you appreciate our armed services this movie is a blast! From the disabled army vet to the WWII vets near the end, this movie reminded me of my friends who recently served our country, to my father inlaw who served in veitnam and my grandfather who served in WWII. Special thanks to the writers and director who finally decided to honor our service men and women instead of demonizing or scape goating them. Great Movie Fun!!

Unlike avatar, this movie proves Hollywood can make a pro-American movie.

Avatar (2009)

WOW!!.....................that was really bad????

[4/10 · 26 December 2009]

Several reviewers say: "the plot is old and refurbished, but if the viewer can get past this fact; the graphics are well worth the price!". I have NO idea how a normal or average human who has seen 10 or more movies could get past this plot........IT IS SO BAD that me and wife laughed out loud at times.

YES, the graphics where cool. But if you want any chance of enjoying this movie for what most "good" movies are remembered for, then you better double up...(wait a second), you better triple up on your daily meds, alcohol or favorite drug. There is NO WAY anyone can review this movie and keep their dignity without noting the horrible script. A person who could is most certainly a Camron employee or stalker.

.5 star plot + 4 star graphics = 2 star movie

The Age of Stupid (2009)

This Movie Sets The Record Straight!

[7/10 · 12 November 2009]

Thank The Heavens!! If films like this and al gore are the force behind committing economic suicide then rest assured my follow friends who posses commonsense....we are safe for now! What a self serving holy then thou piece of nonsense this film is. It seeks only to provoke emotion and all commonsense is regarded as being evil earth hating thoughts. You may think this film will only serve to excite the disciples of global warming, but in fact it does much more.....It proves (to the independent thinker) how far the religion of global warming has come, this movie will scare most into avoiding the cult not joining it!!!

Gran Torino (2008)

Only one thing ruins this movie, otherwise i'd give it an 8!!

[5/10 · 17 December 2008]

The lead Asian boy in this film is so horrible at acting that I have to give this a 5 instead of an 8. Since so much of the film depends on the relationship between Clint and the Boy, the boy's horrible acting skills just kill this entire film.

It's basically a typical "feel good" movie with typical "feel good" cheesiness in it. However Clint rocks the house with his performance and most everyone else does a good job also. Only some of the gang member actors perform below average.

BUT THE LEAD BOY's ACTING IS SO HORRIBLE IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE MOVIE THAT HE MAKES THIS FILM BOARDER ON UNWATCHABLE!!! what a shame, otherwise this is as good as a "feel good" cheezeball movie can get!

Bigger Stronger Faster* (2008)

Worth Watching!

[7/10 · 21 August 2008]

Plain and simply, this docu-drama is worth seeing. I learned a whole lot more about steroids. The family theme is believable and heartening. I really enjoyed getting to know the Bell family. I also grew up in the 80's, so i really enjoyed the flash backs of the WWF in it's prime and various movies back then.

However this "documentary" earns a docu-drama tag IMO because it tries to portray my country as the villain. Don't get me wrong, the movie does it's best to be fair about steroids, but it ends with the smell of Michael Moore's hairy belly roll sweat on it.

In a video montage at the end, the "Mission Accomplished" banner is followed by Al Gore conceding to GWB. There is no explanation of this to steroids and no reason for it except to further manipulate the viewer into concluding America is broken. To be fair the movie includes exposing some democrats as idiots (Henry Waxman). However, the movie's main objective of blaming "America" and it's culture for various perceived woes remains clear.

Thats where this movies looses points with me. Hulk Hogan, Rambo, Conan, Terminator are all Villains in this flick!!...BS!! Those movies are part of the reason why I love my childhood!! But seriously, this documentary goes to far when it uses General Patton's movie speeches as blame for why some Americans seek to over achieve......it's not only silly it's disgusting. I'm lead to believe that my high school popularity desires in the 80's can be traced back to speeches given to young American men on the verge of life or death battle in WW2??!?!?!@!@!?

This movie is worth watching, but it could have been great if it stayed a little tighter within the steroid debate and the Bell family!

The Wire (2002–2008)

Simply The Best TV Show I Have Ever Seen!

[10/10 · 4 December 2006]

I get bored real quick and grow real tired of TV that insults my commonsense and/or strays from the original writing that started me off watching the show in the first place. Most TV either starts off decent and goes down hill quick, or just plain stinks. IMO The Sapranos is one of those shows that started good but has stunk for the last 2 to 3 seasons.

BUT NOT THE WIRE!!! despite the occasional turd of "modern" liberalism that the viewer is forced to swallow, this show is never boring and is as realistic as TV can be! because no TV or movie can be written these days without some liberalism forced fed into it, i can swallow the occasional turd. (as though i will become a liberal voter because a TV character persuaded me...LOL) anyhow....i never watch anything twice but i plan on a wire rewind when the series is over starting from se1-ep1. with so much going on and the seasons meshing into one another so well, i'm sure i missed a third of all of the interconnect going's on's!

i enjoy CSI and 24, but i flat out love The Wire!! GREAT SHOW!!