Change Your Image
amonjafarbay-50-730114
Ratings
Most Recently Rated
Lists
An error has ocurred. Please try againReviews
Jupiter Ascending (2015)
Disney is deeper
This movie gets 5 points purely for the recognition of the hard work that the special effects and post-processing team have clearly done on the film. Despite some great visuals this movie is a hollow piece of storytelling that plays out like a teeny twilighty trash-fest.
Mila Kunis' face, beauty that it is, is the only thing that stopped me switching it off half way through. Channing Tatum looks absolutely ridiculous in this movie, looking just like a shirtless fairy from some Saturday night live send-up of a fantasy film, but it's not a joke. The costume designer really messed up here, and a lot of the visual aesthetic that does work seems to have been lifted from the Riddick movies (which I'm sure lifted them from somewhere else, like Dune).
No pacing, a half-hearted script full of clunky exposition and childlike expressions of feeling and a crazy mix of tone, leaves you unsure if you're watching a flailing attempt at sci-fi epic or a cheap romantic comedy. It feels like the Watchowski's were fighting over how to make this film and neither of them really had the right idea in the first place.
Gravity (2013)
Closest thing to going to space
I know 3D films are, for the most part, not all that great, but I'm sure that if you can watch this in 3D you will not regret it. If you can get yourself to an IMAX all the better.
The special effects are pretty much flawless, the only minor detail that broke the illusion for me was that Sandra's hair wasn't all floaty like when someone is underwater. This was the only thing that stopped me believing they'd managed to simulate zero g's somehow, it's really that convincing.
Watching this is kind of like being in one of those simulators at a theme park, except the seats aren't moving, the special effects budget is thousands of times higher, and it's directed by a top notch movie maker. Sound fun?
The cinematography is beautiful, some of the scenes - the opening for example, are just spellbinding. Lava lamps on steroids.
Movies recently have started to feel more and more like video games. Many great games have wonderful cinematographic sequences that switch to and from first-person perspective, infinite zooms and the freedom that comes with filming a virtual world with a virtual camera in a movie style. It seems that sfx are now powerful and real enough for this style of film-making to be used effectively in live action cinema.
Sweeping views that culminate in an in-helmet first-person view, complete with HUD made me feel like any minute now I'd be given control over the protagonist. This doesn't come off cheesy if it sounds that way - it adds to the immersion.
I'm not a big fan of Sandra Bullock, I can't really put my finger on why, just one of those things I suppose. I like the movie Speed, and miss congeniality was a good laugh but generally I don't really enjoy her on screen. Despite this I thought she did a really good job and if you feel the same way about her as I do, don't let that stop you from seeing this movie. The story itself is simple but strong enough, and there is a high level of tension that is sustained very well throughout the movie. Even if the format of the tension is a little bit wash-rinse, repeat. And god-damn it Sandra, your life is in danger could you please be a little bit more careful when you grasp onto one of those rungs?! yup; stressful.
A friend of mine remarked to me that they thought Sandra's backstory is a bit unnecessary, and I had to agree. The whole bit about her child doesn't really add anything to the movie other than a bit of a pity party that makes it all feel a bit wet. The situation she gets into is so incredibly desperate as it is, the idea of her not really wanting to live anymore anyway doesn't really hold water, pretty much anybody could lose the fight in those circumstances and we don't need a contrived history to explain her wanting to just give up.
I could be wrong about this but I think that while movies have always had a big influence on the way games are made, there is now some feedback into the loop with games influencing the style of movie-making, if only by having no limitation on camera position and movement and the way they offer a scene to the viewer in the knowledge that they are anticipating to "become" one of the protagonists.
Numb3rs (2005)
Entertaining enough spin of a cop show routine
Having only watched a couple of episodes of season one, so I can't comment on the development that the show has probably shown to date, but from what I have seen the show is a pleasant enough twist on the traditional crime show. You've read the synopsis I expect, or seen the show, so I wont bother explaining the premise to you and just focus on the grit.
The characters of the show are pretty basic, save the protagonist mathematician and Dr. Larry, who have the necessary eccentricities of their intellects, if being probably far more socially skilled than their real life counterparts - the main character was intended to be likable so we go the Will Hunting type of extreme genius who is practically fine at interacting with other human beings, sure it probably happens sometimes.
The dynamic between the two brothers does not give off a family vibe in my opinion, but the acting overall is good quality, Peter MacNicol is great to watch as ever and his relationship with the main character is good fun to watch.
My only major criticism is that the show suffers from an overabundance of exposition that makes it even harder to suspend disbelief, it practically slaps you in the face with its cold fish whilst shouting "I am a work of fiction". The cartloads of exposition is to be expected from the parts of the script where mathematics are involved, and even if its fairly rudimentary stuff - we're used to that, we know they're scared of looking too nerdy or cryptic and putting off viewers with all their mathematical gobbledygook. What must have happened is that when writing the script, having to explain all the mathematical jargon has influenced the style of the entire show, and it seems like characters are forever explaining everything to each other, clearly for our benefit. It just makes you want to groan.
Saying all this I still find the show easy watching and relaxing. Its not brilliant in any shape or form but its just original enough and without too many layers of cheese that puts it a cut above a lot of other shows of this type that may have much higher production value.
Its got charm, thats something you cant buy and makes the show appealing despite any shortcomings.
Repeaters (2010)
Good, but not worth repeating
This film had a promising premise, but the potential fell short in every department. There was an entertaining enough plot to keep me watching the film, yet it was simultaneously frustrating enough for me to consider whether I should quit whilst ahead. In the end a forgettable experience.
Repeating a day over and over, as we have seen in groundhog day, gives great opportunities for laughs. The comedy in this film, unfortunately is without the wit or charm of Bill Murray's classic. The acting is of a reasonable standard, but just short of the bar such that we don't believe the characters enough to really feel any of their emotions.
The story distinguishes itself from groundhog day in its pursuit of a thrilling, rather than funny series of events, for the most-part at least. Scenes of what ought to be careless destruction are belied by what I assume to be constraints of budget. Oh whoopee! we can do whatever we want.... let's write on the mirror with a bit of lipstick. You'll forgive me if I fail to gasp.
The characters are shallow and badly drawn, downright ridiculous at times - especially the antagonist whose actions are often difficult to swallow. There is some sense of a philosophical message that is underpinning the storyline, but there is nothing original here either, still it adds depth to the proceedings and does the movie no harm.
Tense scenes will leave you unsatisfied, and sometimes annoyed. There are moments where I really began to care about the main characters and their lives, the dialogue was believable for a time and I was being sucked in to the story. Suddenly the antagonist would make an appearance like the villain in a pantomime play and more silliness would ensue.
Watchable with a new aspect on the groundhog day concept, don't expect more.
Firefly (2002)
Television at its best
To cancel a show as entertaining, intelligent and downright addictive as Firefly must surely be a crime, a crime punishable by some special kind of hell.
Despite my reservations, the kind I usually have when anyone highly recommends something I've never heard of and tells me that I 'must' watch it before palming me their copy and awaiting affirmation - despite these I now find myself sitting here searching for words that will convey the ludicrously warm and fuzzy feeling I get and got from this series.
The dialogue is fantastic, the characters - even those you may initially take a dislike to - are apt to worm their way into your affections, and like anything a person falls in love with you'll overlook all its faults.
It's witty sharp and full of surprises. Characters actually develop and their relationships are well crafted, in fact these assets form the basis for the whole show.
This isn't about sci-fi gimmicks nor does it rely on formulaic theatrical clichés (while they might make the odd appearance) at its core Firefly is about people and you'll want to watch these people time and time again.
Even though I've only just found Firefly, I find myself already missing it more than any other series that has ended before it.
Watch this show.