bent-mathiesen Reviews

Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)

You wil love or hate it

[1/10 · 12 March 2023]

This is pretty much a love or hate movie. And I dislike it. The start was ok, you learn about a normal family and their everyday drama and how to deal with them.

But then it turns into a madness of effects, hilarious setups and fighting scenes that is a love or hate.

I do like action movies, when done right, but no - when each action turns into is a matter of doing disgusting stuff to change to a world where you can learn.

It turned out to be nonsense and off putting in 3the degree.

I love comedy, but no where here the effects used to make a situation "funny" worked. I did not laugh at all.

If you like action, nonsense, and funny effects that are at the lowest level, go ahead, you might even love the movie.

Christmas Tree Lane (2020 TV Movie)

Lack of dynamic in acting/scenes and singing

[4/10 · 18 December 2022]

I like romance, and well, you kind of sense it here, but that is all - no fire and flames between the two falling in love.

Same with the music. I am not sure what was done with the music where Alicia was playing and singing (was she?), because it just came out thin and like pasted in, not sync or adjusted? The singing/playing does not not an optimal sound.

The (father) figure that is the hard man who wants to tear down Christmas lane, seems nice. Also here lack the hard man and a challenge of him, that you would expect.

No surprises, and many short scenes. I would have loved to see a longer scenes, strolls, and really get into history, and with more passion.

It could have been much more but is like a predictable Christmas dessert who have lost some of the flavor.

Frasier (1993–2004)

Good show, but don't take it too serious

[8/10 · 17 December 2021]

I have enjoyed the Frasier show many times.

When you watch the series from the start, you can enjoy each personality and their entanglement.

I will not reveal the plots, just sit back en enjoy the show.

The actors are good, and I will rate them in this order:

1: John Mahoney and Moose as Martin Crane and Eddie 2: David Hyde Pierce as Niles Crane 2: Jane Leeves as Daphne Moon 2: Peri Gilpin as Dr. Niles Crane 2: Tom McGowan as Kenny Daly.

2: Dan Butler as Bulldog Briscoe.

2: Bebe Neuwirth as Dr. Lilith Sternin

N: And at the very last place is Kelsey Grammer as Dr. Frasier Crane.

Apparently he used his own style and only practiced a scene once? Unfortunate, to me, and maybe many others, it does come over the screen like you try to hard. The body language comes as 2 steps to loud on the volume button, like someone who try to hard. No finesse, like an actor on a stage trying to make a face that can be seen on the very back end in a big theater and not on a tv screen. Beside that, it also gives the impression of being in a rush, which might be a plus for the character, but not for the acting.

That is the only negative point I have to the series, but as Frasier is the main character I can't give it a 9 or 10 due to the acting!

The Book of Life (2014)

Lovely details, but I would not call it a comedy, it does not make me laugh.

[8/10 · 30 May 2021]

First time I saw the movie I was intrigued by the many details and special style of animation.

In fact, this style is what makes the movie unique.

However, I do not laugh at all. The play between darkness and light and death and live makes it difficult (for me) to watch.

I love comedies, but do not see this animation as a comedy. Yes there are many scenes, that some would call funny, but the style and animation kind of makes it less funny.

And the same style and animation makes the play and borders between life and death more dark.

It tells man stories of life, upbringing - and that is entertaining, but not particular funny.

Summary: to me it is a dark, sad and beautiful animation that leaves me thoughtful and not laughing.

Cosmos (I) (2019)

Is ok, not great

[6/10 · 9 November 2019]

Contrary to the others, I do not find the movie as having slow parts, only the first few minutes seems dragged out.

Gradually the plot builds up, you understand the relationship between the men, the satellite, the telescope and finally the hats.

The only silly/bad part is the scene with the battery and last second computer stuff. Being a professional in IT, it makes no sens to me what they do, and is a just a way to increase tension at the end of the movie. It could have been in many other ways.

If the slow start and silly computer part had been avoided, it could easily had 7 or 8 stars.

6 for entertainment and bringing it all together. A few minutes for explaining very basic astronomic stuff, that everyone should know, at least these 3 guys should not need to explain it to each other - but do it for the benefit of the viewer.

The King of Queens (1998–2007)

Good acting, but no depth in characters

[5/10 · 3 March 2019]

Understand me right, I enjoy to watch "King of Queens". The actors play very well, not just Doug, Carrie and Arthur. My problem is that both Dough and Carrie are very flawed as characters, and stay this way. Every scene is very predictable, and although it is funny from time to time, it is hard to laugh when there is no development in the persons, the joke stays the same. Both Doug and Carrie are both very self centered,. The biggest difference is that Carrie do pay attention to Doug's world, where Doug only care about food and games on TV. His priory is junk food - then games - then himself - and then his wife.

UFO (2018)

Not bad, not particular good

[5/10 · 7 January 2019]

The elements used in the thriller are low key, The math used/displayed is very basic, maybe they try to inspire to10 year old kids? The film is not bad, but also not particular good. Everyone act like reading from a script and lack emotions. Ok, so if you were passionate about knowing the truth, how far would you go? At least our hero go some distance compared to the FBI or Airport staff. In any movie I have never seem more passive FBI staff. The FBI is unable to decode a simple matrix or simple geometric problem? But the do know how to implement monitoring on a PC?

Speed 2: Cruise Control (1997)

A film as good as being trapped on a sinking ship

[1/10 · 8 July 2018]

I like Sandra Bullock. I do not like all her movies and do not think she is a particular good actor, but I still like her. However, she does nothing for the movie, neither do any of the other actors.

It is an endless amount of bad scenes, with a terrible plot-line, terrible jokes, terrible filming, terrible acting. The music in the background is just adding to the annoying experience. The joke about unhealthy relationship based on extreme situations gets repeated from the first movie, but it is not funny, you end up desperate wanting them to cut those remarks. Joke - how to open an steel door with a chainsaw - and a dialogue so bad you also want to cut that scene.

The film is a joke, but not funny as all.

If you want more than an hour of sneakingly, shockingly bad shaken film. Shock on purpose - go ahead - watch it.

Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets (2017)

Good entertainment, but ends there

[7/10 · 14 November 2017]

Being an absolute fan of Valerian & Laureline, it is (unfortunate) hard to live up to my expectation.

I have looked forward to the filming of one of my absolute favorite cartoons. So it was with a bit of anxiety that I started to watch it.

The aliens, the effect made in all places are very good.

But I could not recognize Valerian and Laureline - in my world Valerian is older, with more focus, and Laureline is not blond - sorry. Her characters was more believable than Valerian.

The plot was too predictable, the bad guys did not surprise you once.

A huge plus and laughable moment was with Beyonce and the following dinner time.

I Dream of Jeannie (1965–1970)

I dream of Jeannie

[7/10 · 21 July 2017]

I dream of Jeannie is a typical slapstick comedy. Made in the 60'ties it follow the usual silly, kind of wacky style. Jeannie is the beautiful, naive, all to eager to please Genie that is found by an Astronaut. From that day his life is turned upside down. He want a simple steady workday, where Genie want fun and use every vague formulated sentence to interpret a wish.

That and the Genies terrible jealous temper makes every day a challenge for the astronaut.

On the plus side, Barbara Eden is the very beautiful female Genie, Larry Hagman and more actors play well.

Compared to modern series, it lack development of characters, there is no real depth in the persons, all play very naive, and much too silly. But that was the standard at that time.

With a few exceptions, you can watch each episode independent and figure out the plot-line in 10 seconds flat.

I give it 7 of 10, because it was well made (for that time). Barbara Eden is stunning beautiful in all 4 first series and play very well. But if it had been anyone else, I doubt the series would have survive for more seasons. Despite being a 2000 year old Genie, you can see how she ages, particular in series 5.

Born to Be Bad (1950)

pointless dialogue, boring

[2/10 · 17 July 2017]

I was intrigued by the title, expected to see an old black and white movie with drama.

Instead, it started with 16 minutes of dull, gossip, characters that talk in clichés, know and don't know each other - no point in the dialogues.

I suspect the "bad" person is the soft talking "angle", who looks rather old in my opinion but hardly can be bad compared to what you experience nowaday 67 years later.

It is boring, take too long before you (only me) can get head and tail on what this film is about. The title is misleading.

Continuum (I) (2012–2015)

Was promising, but predictable

[5/10 · 10 April 2017]

I have only seen the first 2 seasons, I doubt I will watch 3 and 4.

I was exiting when I saw the first season of this series. Many interesting scenes, cool technology, introduction of persons. How the main character struggle to adapt after traveling back in time. Struggle to find out what happens, try to get back, find a purpose.

Unfortunate, in season 2, all is predictable. The rule of the good and bad persons reverses from 2012 to the future. Every person become very static and predictable and no real character development.

Boring! Cliché in talk, standard shooting scenes, pointless violence. Play on all the normal issues with corruption in police, politician and powerful business men. All people just play a standard role.

Laughable is the genius that invent so much cool technology in the future. The typical one man (boy) show, that can do all, even the impossible. But so easy to trick, that his older self can play him like an instrument over many years in distance.

Dark Matter (2015–2017)

Predictable, very violent, and boring

[4/10 · 6 December 2016]

At first I thought: What is the difference between "Dark Matter" and "Blake's Seven" Well it turned out that Dark matter, only had six figures, lots of violence, very predictable and no aliens.

The first episode is OK, all is new, they get to know their strong and weak points.

What do I find annoying? That a 20+ year woman get called a kid. At first I wondered "Why do they call her a kid". It turned out she was trying to play a kid. But it was not convincing. She look like almost 30, she is just not tall, that is all.

All the fight scenes - ah.. the first few are OK, but then it gets boring. And they fight all the time.

The corporations - evil and very predictable. Our team of 6 get involved, caught all the time, the dialogue is also predictable.

Each jump and fight between spaceship, so boring.

Each landing on a planet in the start, seem to be the same factory and same Forrest.

Do I need to go on? And there are no aliens. But of course ftl, sub space communication.

And lots of blood.

If you like to turn of your brain, see beautiful women kick butt, lots of blood, then it is for you.

If you hate all the above. Don't bother.

Mr. Robot (2015–2019)

Lost it right away after episode 1

[1/10 · 7 August 2016]

OK, so I work in security, protect networks and servers - maybe that is why I liked the first episode a lot. Damn I was looking forward to the continuation.

But then 2'nd episode started slow, ended slow.

From episode 3 - all have been lost and from 4 onward, just awful, violence, drop, no real focus. No red line, awful dialog, no red line, dark dysfunctional setting, dark really annoying "music" tracks to make up for lacking dialog.

The people who apparently want to "save" the people who are not the 1% of the 1% of the 1% are social hackers, but I see no real technical skills.

If it hard continued in the track from 1'st episode I would gladly had give a 7.

4.3.2.1. (2010)

Better than expected, laughable moments

[7/10 · 26 June 2016]

The movie start sad, and the first out of 4 stories is heartbreaking, so you are tempted to stop watching.

However, let the stories unfold, and see how the girls get back on the bad guys, get out of the jam and show their talent in different areas.

The tangled and often surprising revelations make it fun to watch when you are past the first story.

Lessons learned, don't lock your sister up, don't trick a British bird, and do let the cashier girl get a break!

And most of all, be there for each-other when it really matters.

No deep movie, and it stereotype teenager daughter-father relationship and non-functional families. But still okay, it tell a story without the need for fancy computer animated action.

The Big Bang Theory (2007–2019)

Funny, still surprising despite many episodes of repetition

[7/10 · 19 December 2015]

Big Bang Theory is funny. There are other series that are more funny, more whatever, but it don't matter.

The concept is good, it is all about relationships - if you are a nerd you can identify yourself with one or more of the main actors. If you are like me, you will like most of the actors, understand their struggles with being nerds and understanding the world.

Also the concept of bringing in popular science fiction people appeal to many, though I find it a bit boring and the scenes too artificial.

The special gifts are the sprinkles on the cake. Like the slow-flake, star in space, napkin with signature, etc.

The many games that are played where the characters can reflect upon the real live while being in a virtual reality is good.

And if anything, there are too much focus on sex, and Sheldon's character go a bit too far in constructing his own world and take dominance. However, I am happy to see that the other figures also get their place in the spotlight. If there was no sex and relationship, I am sure most people would find it hard to enjoy for a longer time.

Relationships: In my opinion the best written dialogs and scenes are between Sheldon and Penny - Penny learn from Sheldon and he from her - and if it wasn't because Leonard is married to Penny, I would like Sheldon and Penny to end up like a couple.

Sheldon and Amy. It got boring very fast - too nerdy in the relationship. I guess that is why the produces turned Amy from the geek into a woman with needs and love for Sheldon - it didn't work out with 2 super geeks.

Raj and Howard. It was fun with the gay-jokes, but over time worn out. Luckily they both start to have relationships and particular Howard's figure have developed a lot.

Howard and Sheldon, always tense - Sheldon is self-centered and always think he is better than others - but it tend to be boring the 100'th and 1000'th time that he insult Howard.

Howard and Bernadette, OK, but not really funny, Bernadette help to develop Hoards figure, but well - not so funny.

Leonard and Penny: It was a relationship to carry part of the series, and well written. Partly funny, partly serious, like a miniseries inside the series itself. It has however, not been as funny as the Penny+Sheldon relationship.

A few negatives that pull down the series: Laughter soundtrack. I can ignore it, but I know many can't. Drop it. Cut down Sheldons attitude. I know he is horrible and drives all to insanity, but I suggest to develop the personality and that he start to understand that he is not the center of the universe - he need to wake up in one way or another.

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (2013–2020)

Get boring after a few episodes, endless fights and clichés

[1/10 · 8 December 2015]

After watching Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D for some weeks, it starts to get very boring.

Pros:

• Good computer effects

• decent acting from a few actors

• potential in a lot of figures

Cons:

• All the fighting, all the effects are just unrealistic

• some actors are either bad or play the stereotypes too good.

• All are firm believers in they are right and all are against all

• it end up one long fighting sequence.

• each potential is just destroyed

• The God's from other worlds play very naive and just not adding anything.

• But the worst is that every sentence is made up of clichés, the 'dialog' at all levels is really horrible.

Summary: Endless fighting, all heal very fast, jump into next fight, talk clichés - and each time valuable stuff is found, they just blow up all.

It just get very boring after a short while.

To Catch a Thief (1955)

Beautiful view - boring acting - not a great love story or plot

[6/10 · 16 November 2015]

I am a very big fan of Alfred Hitchcock movies - and I still am!

I do like this movie, due to the old days setting, beautiful nature, cars, French landscape - and now even more as I have been in that area more times - but this movie is boring.

It was a film made before all movies (2000+) turned into effects only, unfortunate, it is missing what it should have, romance, acting and a complex plot.

It is trying to be a romantic movie, but well, I just don't feel it. The acting is like a script read with a monotone voice and without emotions.

There are many great old romantic movies, this is just not one of them.

The plot is OK, but very simple and no where near to that of other Alfred Hitchcock movies, you can predict every move, every sentence and every kiss.

10 for scenery. 5 for plot 3 for romance/acting

Average 6.

The Adventures of Tintin (2011)

Seeing half of all Tintin stories at once, nothing left, lost in spectacular animation effects

[5/10 · 15 November 2015]

There are many great reviews already pointing out the excellence and at the same time serious issues with this animation film.

I can agree to most of them.

Being an computer professional and animation fan, I can really appreciate what is done here. The effects and attention to details in every dust, mirror, glass. The smooth transitions between scenes parts of the story is spectacular.

I have no problem to give the technical side a 10, it is stunning.

But the story. Yes, it say "The Adventures". I have read all the books with Tintin and enjoyed all the personalities in there, the stories and simplicity from start to end.

But this film is nothing like this, it mixes all the stories, history, and changes - well - all. For many that will not be an issue, but if you are a Tintin fan it can serious ruin the pleasure.

I saw the film some time ago with my kids and we enjoyed the movie, but that was it. They don't know the world of Tintin and nothing was conflicting for them.

But now, if I try watching it again, the fun of the stunning animations effects has gone away and it is very hard to enjoy the movie because it raises a conflict inside. The characters, the scenes, the stories, it simply makes no sense anymore.

For me a good movie, is one you can watch more times.

This movie, I could only once - sorry. Now I can go through every frame in still view and enjoy the details, but that is it.

I can't watch it as a movie anymore.

10 for effect, 0 for story

IF the creators had kept the story intact, make 2 or 3 movies with less endless effects - there could easily had been 2*8-10 instead of 1*5. And that on the same budget.

Uncanny (2015)

Interesting, keep you alert

[8/10 · 9 November 2015]

I was hesitating to bother to see this machine, as I have been disappointed in the resent film on this topic (like Ex Machina) However, I was pleasant surprised. This movie do not dwell too much into technical details. OK, it mention some numbers, algorithms and show nice hardware, but the real play is what is real and what is artificial. During the movie I had several time to question, what is going on, like in a good crime flick.

It is not a revolutionary film or setup, but better than most I lately have seen in this genre.

Very good acting, good dialogue, title uncanny is spot on.

Only issue I had was the very last minute, it left me with some open questions.

Blackhat (2015)

Worth watching, but do not expect glamorous actions

[6/10 · 7 November 2015]

What I like about this film is that it don't enter the super fancy spy world with lots of fighting, super fast computers, and endless special effects. No it stay realistic.

You take a decent smart hacker from prison. He has nothing to lose. The government agencies cannot work together and do not provide the necessary means - so it is realistic.

The woman and man have an romance - nothing glamorous, nothing 007 like - but realistic.

I only give it 6, the acting and spoken dialogue is a bit stiff and plot a bit thin.

Summary: Our "hero" is not a super guy, no angle, but someone who still care. As no one gives him the promised break or support needed he takes matter into his own hands. By getting rid of the really bad guys, he save money for his woman and himself.

I would do the same.

Now You See Me (I) (2013)

Decent entertainment

[7/10 · 27 October 2015]

It is a decent movie, if you don't expect too much.

I had no expectations to the movie as it do not favor any of my favorite actors. But each of them put on a decent performance.

The key point is, do you like tricks, showmanship that happens not only on a big scene but also in real life, and to be put into suspense.

The tricks, the persons, the chasing make it worth watching - as long as you don't look too deep into details. Each scene go fast to the next don't give you time to dwell or ask questions.

A plus point is that all the loose end get tied up at the end, with a few surprises though nothing spectacular.

Mission: Impossible II (2000)

Action with the purpose to be action, romance to keep the viewer seated

[5/10 · 26 October 2015]

The first part of this movie was entertaining.

But I found the last part being too focused on action. The good fighting the bad, but with no reality at all, and the bad guys run into all traps that are laid out, boring.

The motorcycle scene is really boring. The effects of smoke and slow motion with car accidents get "yawn".

Thandie Newton is an attractive woman, but play only a small heroine role, her act to inject herself and the look glance at her emotions from the camera do not work for me.

In average OK, but the last part really dragging it down.

Nowhere as good as the first Mission Impossible.

Olympus Has Fallen (2013)

Lots of action and blood, little reality

[6/10 · 8 October 2015]

Cons:

For those who want deep serious acting and anything that can scratch the gray cells, sorry, it is non existing.

Evil people are the run of the mill, stupid people who get killed and don' even care. The police and military are the modern keystone cops with no brain and following orders.

Pros:

On the plus side, for those who like lots of fancy action and killing with blood spitting out, you will not get disappointed.

Lots of actions scenes, made for effect and nothing for realism.

Normally I am put off by Freeman in a movie, but this time he was less of a pain in the butt (bad acting) as normal.

Just turn of the brain and don't question any of the scenes and actions taking place.

White House Down (2013)

Good Entertainment, mix of action, love, heroism and patriotism

[7/10 · 8 October 2015]

Plot:

Decent plot, we are introduced to characters in a meaningful way, build up suspense to what will happen in various scenes. The story unfolds and holds the viewer wondering who is behind all this and why. Some tender moments between people sharing life stories.

Characters:

I have mixed feeling about the president. He seems to be too soft and insecure in various situation.

Our young heroin is lovely, patriot and knows the white house and the history and don't fall out of character.

Our hero is a nice father, have finally shaped up, which is good when you need to save the president. Decent acting.

The tour guide could have been played/acted/written better. He cares about the house and plays a role, but some jokes don't really get through.

The computer wizard is a joke – but I blame Hollywood – because any real world computer wizard would have been very boring (I am expert in this field) (Hollywood computer wizards: are super nerds, ego centric and have weird habits – not anything like real life)

Action:

Decent level. A few places it tends to fall into the trap of slow motions with focus on special effect, like in many recent film, but not near as bad. It doesn't overtake the plot/story and there is still a story and not just action. Some blood, but nothing disturbing.