moonmaedyn Reviews

Cruella (2021)

Very Familiar...

[3/10 · 30 May 2021]

The costumes, I'll say right off the bat, were FABULOUS.

However...the movie really seemed to take a lot of material from The Devil Wears Prada, including the Baroness's requests for lunch, her general attitude about Cruella/Estella, and her second henchman (Mark Strong--"John the Valet") looking a LOT like Stanley Tucci, down to nearly his exact mannerisms.

Could have done without the CGI versions of the dogs--those always freak me out, but these were really noticeable.

Cruella's two partners in crime reminded me of the same relationship of Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, so maybe that was "lifted" for this movie as well.

Sorry. I really wanted to like it.

Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar (2021)

I'm Never Getting THAT hour and 47 minutes back...

[2/10 · 14 April 2021]

None of the humor is funny. It's not even GRADE SCHOOL funny. The sight gags are terrible, the slapstick isn't natural, the premise is stupid. And trying to turn this into some "Bollywood Extravaganza" with the song/dance sequence wasn't "fun," it was a wasted effort.

Any reviewer that rated this over a 3 was a paid plant. This was just awful.

Thunder Force (2021)

"Meh" doesn't even come close...

[3/10 · 14 April 2021]

You know, I REALLY wanted to like this movie. Seriously. The premise was interesting, and the special effects were okay, but it was just lame. I'm so very sorry. I feel like I'm being completely disloyal, as I just love Melissa McCarthy, but seriously, the movie is just awful.

I actually fell asleep. And I'm unemployed, so there was not really any reason for me to be THAT tired.

So very sorry.

Green Book (2018)

Way Better Than Expected!

[8/10 · 24 January 2019]

Oh, this movie is a little gem!

Depicts--by all accounts--authentically this portion of life of Dr. Shirley, and the relationship that developed between Tony and Don Shirley.

The acting was spot-on, with Mortensen effectively conveying 1960's Italian family life in NY, as well as Mahershala Ali and his "privileged aloofness." The story could have gone more into detail regarding how Dr. Shirley went from hitting the road with his mother in the Florida Pan-Handle to the "top of a castle," but maybe that would have been too much for the time constraints of the viewer.

I enjoyed it, and believe it was well-thought out. The performances were top-notch (still wondering how Tony palmed that "lucky rock"), and I rated it accordingly.

The Favourite (2018)

I REALLY wanted to like it...

[2/10 · 24 January 2019]

It had everything I look for in a great movie--period clothing, great actresses (EMMA AND RACHEL!!!!) and, supposedly, a "biography."

But sadly, it was not to be. The acting was okay-ish (sorry), the subject matter questionable (who the flock was this "queen" supposed to be???) and frankly, there was NOT ONE SINGLE THING HUMOROUS in this to deem it a "comedy." NOT ONE. In other words,

WE WERE NOT AMUSED.

What it did manage to convey is the fickleness of "Court Life." And the costumes were spectacular.

These actors/actresses deserved better. And what was with all the rabbits? Seriously? "I lost 17 children, so these are my children," ???? Wow. Totally unhinged. Would love to know which Queen this was. Was it supposed to be Anne? Seriously?

Terrible. Just really...terrible.

Outlander (2014– )

I hate being a History Geek

[6/10 · 24 September 2017]

I'm giving this a 6 out of 10 because while I genuinely LIKE the show, there are some historical inconsistencies (kind of modern ones, even!) that have just spoiled it for me.

This has to do with Season 2 and they've just started Season 3, so I guess there really aren't any "spoilers" unless you haven't watched Season 2 yet. My apologies.

Okay, here goes:

It's 1968. Claire goes into the local Records Office in Inverness to seek out some documents pertaining to her "past," and the gal working there comes out with the signed deed from Lallybrouch that Murtah and Claire both signed before the Battle of Culloden. No problem so far, as yeah, it's believable that the Records Office might actually have this deed from 1745. Claire thanks her for finding it, then the clerk says, "I've made you a copy..." Huh? This is, supposedly, 1968.

Although the Xerox 914 was invented in 1959, it seems highly unlikely a Records Office in Inverness would possess one by 1968, when most of the planet was still using mimoegraph machines well into the 1970's (who could forget that SMELL????). Claire then, rather off-offhandedly, asks the clerk if she could do a "genealogical search" on Roger MacKenzie.

MACKENZIE.

In Scotland.

In 1968.

Pre-Ancestry.com

In fact, pre ANYTHING dot com.

And she's like, "Sure, no problem!" and Claire, supposedly, walks out with this information the same day. Uh huh. Right.

Look, I'm all for poetic license and all that, but do these people KNOW that they could hire a historian who could, at the very least, let them know when they are so off-base they're ruining the show? It was a fun fantasy romp for me and it lost all of it's credibility because of this one stupid scene.

There are dozens of people that are complaining about the weaponry and the costumes, so I'll let THEM fight that battle.

I am disappointed, to say the least.

And I am giggling helplessly over the one review titled "50 Shades of Tartan"--OMG. Seriously.

Mum (2016–2019)

Hope they do a Season 2

[8/10 · 4 September 2016]

I watched this, after finding it on the recommendations list on this site (i.e. "other people that liked this, also liked THIS").

Not knowing what to expect (but encouraged by the rating), I binged- watched all 6 episodes and found myself genuinely dismayed that it was over!

As for some of the characters--well...the actors play their parts so well and it is written SO WELL that I cry every time someone is mean to Kelly (She's just dumb, and doesn't know any better. Last I checked that wasn't a crime, or a reason to be mean to someone), and frankly, the character of her mother, and the way she treated Kelly (who isn't SO dumb that she doesn't realize her mom is a mean snake), just makes me want to four-five her. I guess that's because I've known real people like that. Mean people suck. The fact that Cathy (the Mum) puts up with Kelly's numerous verbal faux pas is really endearing. She seems to understand, and empathizes with her. Just what a Mum ought to do! I know a lot of people that lack the internal "filter," so I guess I'm used to this, too!

Anytime something makes the viewer "feel" something (besides disgust!), it's a GOOD thing. Some of the characters are awkward with each other, but I think this would happen in real life, too.

I sincerely hope they do a second season. I know that BBC sometimes does these little half-shows like this (Fleabag was another), but I hope there is a chance to develop this into something long term.

Vinyl (2016)

Worthy of a Binge Watch

[8/10 · 7 June 2016]

Ray Romano can act? Ray? Romano? From "Everyone Loves Raymond?" The comedian guy?

Yeah, turns out he CAN. Seriously.

This is the first season, and hey, not everyone can do a "Orange is the New Black" right out of the box--and it took awhile for folks to warm up to Boardwalk Empire. But they did, indeed, warm up to it. I have read reviews comparing this series to Mad Men and yeah, I can see the similarities. Having lived through the 1970's myself, I'm not sure there was quite as much cocaine, but whatever.

It's kind of fun trying to figure out who the "artists" are supposed to be, and I laughed during the whole Alice Cooper thing. The guy that plays Bowie was really spot-on!

I think it's a fun romp and definitely snuggle and binge-watch worthy. I believe the writers and director(s) will gel and it will get better.

But Ray Romano?

Who knew?

Kinky Boots (2005)

I laughed, I cried.....

[10/10 · 31 May 2016]

Might have been the bottle of wine I'd drank before watching this, but I absolutely LOVED this movie!

Very much a "sleeper," as I didn't't expect to like everyone in it or everything about it.

Great date flick--not overly sexual, but flirty (I guess?) in some regard. It's a great story (and a TRUE one!), and I just thought the acting was well done and believable. It's very touching and poignant in places (that's why the tears, but like I said, it *may* have been the wine!), but an overall great story.

The only actor I recognized was Nick Frost, whom I've seen in just about every Simon Pegg movie (I, apparently, watch a LOT of Simon Pegg movies). In fact, I kept looking for Simon Pegg to show up in this, but he never does. Drat. Anyway, a great movie--didn't't even need Simon Pegg!

Keanu (2016)

I LOVE "stupid-funny" movies!

[2/10 · 31 May 2016]

Unfortunately, THIS movie is only ONE of those things,and it wasn't "funny."

I guess there's only so much that can be done with drug dealers and a kitten...even if it IS wearing a do-rag.

I really wanted a small portion of the movie to be at least as good as the trailer, but honestly, I just wanted it to end. And quickly.

So sad that these talented individuals (the humans--not the kitties) stooped so low as to try to eek out humor in such a poorly presented-stereotypical way. Although Key and Peele were funny when they did their own show, it was painfully obvious that their "THANG" doesn't work for a feature film.

I really REALLY wanted to like this.

Emma (2009)

Wow!

[9/10 · 29 January 2016]

This adaptation of Jane Austen's Emma is SO much better than that Gwyneth Paltrow mess! I have tried to watch that three times and I just can't get through it.

Leave it to the good old BBC to know how to do justice to a classic. Even though this is a mini-series, it is done with more heart, soul and authenticity than any other attempt. The acting is superb--the costumes luxurious and the scenery breathtaking!

There is not a better way to spend an afternoon than having a cuppa and watching an episode. I am so happy I came upon this wonder, albeit a bit late (it came out in 2009).

A must see for any Austen fan! Kudos!

45 Years (2015)

Awkward from the first scene

[1/10 · 23 January 2016]

Awkward. Plain and simple. The two main characters, although great actors in their own right, have absolutely no chemistry and are just awkward with each other. Actually, even the supporting actors interaction with them was awkward.

No warmth, no feeling, no...nothing.

An odd story line and pretty much unbelievable anyway (he had to go to the library to look up "global warming?" Seriously?). The movie was not set in the past, as they all had cell phones, so why couldn't he just go on the internet? Yeah, I know; we're all lazy now, but honestly...who does that?

I had a difficult time believing they could spend 45 MINUTES together in that weirdness, much less 45 YEARS.

I liked the dog (Max). He did a great job being a dog.

American Sniper (2014)

Either you "GET" it or you DON'T.

[9/10 · 22 January 2015]

You know, the reason people slam this movie is the same reason it is very well done: it makes you FEEL things you don't want to feel.

For example, you can be one of the strongest advocates for animal rights on the planet, but if you're watching "To Kill A Mockingbird" and you see that rabid dog staggering down the street towards Atticus and his family, you would have pulled the trigger. Absolutely.

I have never been in a war situation but my ancestors certainly were. From what I've learned is that when you are, those people that you sleep/eat/fight with are your FAMILY. You have their back and they have yours. You are alive because of them and visa versa.

No one knows the atrocities our relatives faced when in that situation, although we've all heard the horror stories. The term "War is HELL" came from somewhere, now didn't it? Your grandfather or great- grandfather (if involved with any war on any level), more than likely did some things they are not very proud of, nor are they spoken about. Just watch one of those documentaries about WWII where the cameraman is sitting in the plane that is dropping mortars and/or shooting up some farmhouse out in the boonies. Because they weren't exactly accurate shots from a mile or so altitude, poor old Gerta was just out milking the cow and was blown away because someone overshot their target. Watch Mrs. Minerva.

What this movie did was anger people that, under normal circumstances, would never even dream of hurting a child. But in one split second you go from saying, "OMG! That's a little kid!" to "SHOOT HIM! PULL THE TRIGGER!" because in one split second that "little kid" becomes an assassin, or a murderer, hell bent to kill your family. Same thing with the woman dressed as a nun. The sniper did not want to needlessly kill innocent people, but as a soldier, he was expected to play the part of God and make those decisions, otherwise known as doing his "job." That's what he was trained to do and paid to do.

The sniper in this film was doing what anyone under the same circumstances would do: PROTECTING HIS FAMILY. Was he any different than Atticus? Can you honestly say you wouldn't react/act in the same manner if you saw anything or anyone threatening YOUR family-- regardless if it was a rabid dog, someone dressed as a nun or a little kid?

If you didn't "get" this aspect of the movie that's okay. Respect it for what it is--a depiction of some really nasty stuff that happens when you're involved with war. There may have been some poetic license involved, but it's a MOVIE. It happens.

Could it have been done better? Maybe. Was the doll used for the baby cheesy? Definitely. Did I "like" the movie? No. But it was well done and I have voted on that aspect of it because it did what it was supposed to do: it made me FEEL. I was pulling that trigger, too. I was protecting my family.

It may have made you realize that there may be some nastiness lurking underneath your own surface. Maybe that's why it's so disturbing. Maybe that's why it's so good.

Kudos to those involved (except for the cheesy plastic doll).

The Imitation Game (2014)

Not Exactly a "Character Stretch"

[7/10 · 19 January 2015]

The movie, as a whole, was not terrible.

I am a history geek, so right off the bat when I find something historically incorrect, the movie loses all credibility for me. If you look through the "goofs" section, the "Liquid-Paper/Wite Out" issue just the most ridiculous thing, not to mention the typo with regard to "trail vs TRIAL." Don't people use researchers or editors on movies anymore? Are they just churning them out so quickly and paying the lead actors so much that they can't afford to have someone make sure the thing is HISTORICALLY correct?

As for the acting--Benedict Cumberbatch played the part exactly like his Sherlock Holmes character. I was not impressed.

Also, while I usually enjoy the ending of movies where they have a little "continuing story" stuff before the credits roll, as I was reading the "So and so continued to blah blah blah and then yaddatah yaddatah" part, it seemed (to me) that adding the information they did at the end was a totally unnecessary afterthought. If it was that important, it should have been the theme throughout the movie.

The Good Lie (2014)

Believable Glance at the Sudanese Struggle

[8/10 · 19 January 2015]

I LIKED the movie...honestly I did. I thought the actors were convincing--as well they should be, as they all have ties to Sudan and know the plight faced by those they left behind.

Reese Witherspoon, on the other hand. Sigh. I guess I don't understand why actresses that do really well in one genre continue to try to break out into another. She should just really stick to romcoms. Not everyone is Sandra Bullock. In all honesty, anyone could have played Carrie better in this. She was not convincing in the least and didn't seem to care much about the movie or her role in it. I found Sarah Baker's character more empathetic and her acting more credible.

As for the movie itself, I couldn't understand why the employment agency didn't try to find the refugees work in some sort of livestock or farming industry, as that is what they had experience doing. Seems to me they were destined for failure working in such unfamiliar situations.

Santa's Slay (2005)

A Santa with a Yule-a-Tude! BERSERKER!

[8/10 · 24 December 2014]

Okay, I'll admit that I watched this on Christmas Eve...is there a better time to watch it?

Chock full of stupid slap-stick and the first scene has about a million celebrities (slight exaggeration). Yeah, it could have been better, but it was better than I expected (and I had really low expectations).

Anyway, despite all of the bad reviews, this movie was hilarious. It's exactly what you'd expect of a horror flick with Santa as the main bad dude.

Vulgar language, boobs and a most hilarious scene in a stripper joint concerning Hoe Hoe Hoes.

If you liked Sean of the Dead, you'll like Santa Slay. If you DIDN'T like Sean of the Dead, well...there's just something wrong with YOU.

Don't forget to watch the credits for cut scenes. They had a lot of fun with the buffalo...

Tusk (I) (2014)

Horrible, Horrible, Horrible--

[1/10 · 10 December 2014]

Horrible. Simply the most dreadful thing I have seen in decades. Even worse than "A Million Ways to Die in the West," which was really dreck.

Seriously.

I felt sorry for the entire cast. Genesis Rodriguez had a difficult time keeping a straight face at the end (could be an Oscar-worthy attempt, I'll tell ya) and Haley Joel Osment? Wow. Bad.

The only "kudos" I can relinquish to anyone for this debacle is to poor Michael Parks as his part was OBVIOUSLY written for Christopher Walken and he managed to impersonate a fairly decent deranged Christopher Walken throughout the movie. By the way, Michael Parks looks fantastic, considering I used to watch him in "Then Came Bronson" a million years ago.

Kevin Smith? How the heck did you go from the brilliance of "Clerks" to THIS???? Holy cow.

Dreadful. Just dreadful. And I sat through "Jersey Girl." Sigh.

Braindead (1992)

Excellent Special Gore!

[10/10 · 30 May 2014]

With some special effects in the beginning more cheesy than anything Ray Harryhausen had ever done, I was skeptical about watching this movie. I don't really like gory movies, but I like them if they're funny (i.e. "Shaun of the Dead"). As things progressed, the special effects just sort of took on a life of their own. Pay close attention to the entrails...ROFLMAO! Seriously. How the h-e-double-hockey- sticks did they do that?????

Now the reasoning behind my being totally enthralled with the special effects is this movie was filmed in 1992--long before the invention of CGI or anything of that nature. "Some" of it was cheesy, but honestly, by the time the movie had moved on to the real grime and gore, it amazed me that they didn't use REAL, uh--don't want to spoil this-- "stuff." Truly remarkable.

Not much of a plot (typical gypsy Grandma telling girl will get boy but there may be some problems), but a heck of a fun romp.

Hope Springs (2012)

An embarrassment

[2/10 · 4 January 2013]

I love Tommy Lee Jones. I love Meryl Streep...but in all honesty, this movie was embarrassing to watch.

Totally.

Embarrassing.

I was embarrassed FOR the actors and BECAUSE of the actors. It was awkwardly written, awkwardly executed and awkwardly acted. Tommy Lee is a phenomenal actor, but in one scene, he's leaning over Meryl and all you could see was this gigantic FACE (which, I might add, was a weird color?) and it was not attractive. Were I Meryl, I would have had a difficult time not shrieking to high heaven. He looked like a character from Men In Black. Not attractive. Nope. And his crusty curmudgeon thing is getting kind of old.

Meryl is too mature and accomplished to be playing a nervous simpleton wife.

Sad to think that these two stellar people were put in such an awkward and awful "romantic" comedy. It wasn't the beautiful re-connection of two people that truly love each other--it was just an embarrassment. Yikes.

Savages (I) (2012)

Seriously?

[1/10 · 23 November 2012]

Blake Lively is boring as hell in this movie. She can't act. Sorry Mrs. Reynolds. You suck. As for the story line, not exactly plausible and Salma is wasting her talent. I tried to watch this debacle twice before I gave up. The one stoner guy with his mercenary buddies? Really? And stoner guy number two, with his altruistic endeavors...totally believable...not.

Poor John Travolta and Benito Del Toro...trying to dance around a weak plot and bad acting. I feel sorry for you guys--you deserve better. And probably thought you were going to get "better" with Oliver Stone at the helm.

Better luck next time.

Happythankyoumoreplease (2010)

Surprisingly GREAT movie!

[10/10 · 6 August 2011]

After wading through a sea of CRAP lately, imagine my surprise to have stumbled upon this little gem. Well-written, acted well and with the exception of the music (seriously, wtf?) it was completely enjoyable. I found the story line refreshing--although the whole "Ian" character was lame, who hasn't known someone like that?

Not too deep. Not too shallow. A perfect "DATE" movie.

A word to the industry:

PLEASE go back to using regular soundtracks!!! Honestly, the music in movies lately just sucks. Do we really need the sappy Indy-crap? Were these people relatives of the film makers? Yikes. Honestly, I expected a rendition of "Smelly Cat" any minute...

The Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call - New Orleans (2009)

So bad, you'll wanna watch it TWICE!

[1/10 · 19 December 2009]

...so you can laugh at all the things you said "WTF???" about the first time.

Singing iguanas?

Break dancing dead Gangsters?

'Gator Cam?

Was Cage actually TRYING to make a comedy? Honestly, I understand the guy's house(s) are all in foreclosure, but jeeze...this was worse than "The Wickerman" and I found myself hoping someone would pour bees on his head and burn him up in effigy in THIS one, too.

Oh, and who could forget the wonderful line:

"Oh oh oh! You are So gonna be sorry you did this...Oh oh oh oh oh!!!" Someone actually got paid for writing that line? You've got to be joking.

Quite a bit of fantasy all around--any of the girls that had to actually had to kiss him...they all deserve Academy Award nods. Poor Eva Mendez...she's much too good for this movie.

The Limits of Control (2009)

Two hours of my life I'll never get back...

[1/10 · 12 November 2009]

At least Bill Murray had a way out. I didn't. First time in my life that a movie made me wish for a nice, fat cyanide capsule to end my suffering. It wasn't even "funny" bad, like Lesbian Vampire Killers, or Adventureland.

Without giving anything away, as a viewer, you find yourself sitting there with question marks over your head wondering how on earth anyone secured funding for something like this AND how someone could actually get PAID to write it.

No beginning...no end. And mindless drivel in between.

It was just bad bad bad. Sorry.