specialbobby Reviews

Road House (2024)

It's been a while since a film was this simple and fun.

[8/10 · 25 March 2024]

I see there's a lot of people hating on this film, but let's get to the point. It's violent fisticuffs fun, and that's it, it's not deep (the original tried to be Zen and that just slowed it down, the original is a classic but like Commando and Rocky IV, there not actually Good films) and it's not clever, it's just 2hrs of 90s style action, plenty of character tropes, colourful locations, good looking people and a weak storyline held together by some gloriously eye popping fights scenes and Connor McGregor chewing bar stools like bad acting was going out of fashion, Jake Gyllenhall is superb in this film, he knows it's dumb fun and so should those that gave it a low score,

Be glad films like this are still getting a chance, and it's way way better than The Beekeeper.

Boiling Point (2023– )

Wasn't really any point.

[6/10 · 23 October 2023]

Loved the film, as a chef it was an amalgamation of some of the worst nights you'll ever have all rolled into one. This left me excited for a tv series, foolishly thinking it'd be on a par with 'The Bear', while it's half decent Sunday night tv it gets so many of the finer details wrong during a service and spends to much time outside of service with pointless subplots focusing on poorly written minor characters who've not had enough time to grow in the series meaning any storyline is bereft of drama or empathy, I laughed about the pooing the pants, but did I care for the reason, no, the character had to lines of dialogue up to that point. If there is a series two, it needs tightening up and be kept in the kitchen, and please, no pointless virtue signalling, the badge scene was cringe, the character barely registering up to that point thus leaving us no reason to care. Stephen Graham needs to get back in the chaos, spar with the new sous, (one of the more interesting, uncomfortable characters) and create a recipe for real drama next time.

97 Minutes (2023)

97minutes? 297minutes more like!

[2/10 · 13 June 2023]

Funny how this films runtime is shorter than 97minutes including credits yet moves so slow it would just fall out if the sky.

What is this movie, and if this was filmed before Baldwins issues, who does he owe? Not even Nicolas Cage would take on something this cheap for a quick buck, it's just trash filmed in an aeroplane hanger. Jonathan Rhys Meyers is certainly suffering for his sins having to take this type of low budget lead, and it's clear he's only doing it 'for the cash', it's all anyone's doing. If there was a casting director they surely need to be blacklisted, their choices were appalling.

Generic everything, poor effects, stupid twists, and the worse most intrusive score I've heard in a long time. It's a slog at 93minutes.

Don't board this one.

Succession: Connor's Wedding (2023) Season 4, Episode 3

Part of me spent the whole show thinking this was a trick!

[9/10 · 10 April 2023]

But if it's not, then 'wow', the greatest thing this show has ever done is to make its biggest most dramatic moment a very very real portrayal of someone just 'going', no huge bombastic script with Brian Cox screaming 'C' words until he clutches his arm and says 'oh no' before dropping to the ground surrounded by principle cast members, just a phone call saying 'it's not good news' then an hour of total confusion, panic, grief and manoeuvring to get in place for a huge fall out in the rest of the series. By allowing the 'kids' and the viewer to moving along at the same pace, knowing nothing, babbling at a speaker phone, making me personally think at first if this was just a test of loyalty was a master stroke and while there was no big send off or acting 'tour de force' from Brian Cox, in the context of this episode, his silence was the loudest this show could get. A wonderful bit of writing and a masterpiece of tv.

The Mandalorian: Chapter 21: The Pirate (2023) Season 3, Episode 5

Honestly right now I'd rather be...

[6/10 · 29 March 2023]

... watching a Star Wars X-Wing Detective Agency show as that small moment of fighter pilots and investigating had me more interested in this episode than any of the 'Star Trek' planet of the week, help the yokels story, this part was just silly, pirates as useful as stormtroopers, Mandalorians better than Navy Seals, locals just waiting to be saved rather than fight for what's theirs, it looked a bit like Star Trek Insurrection, and that's not good.

I also think Pedro Pascal was way to busy with The Last of Us, and just done a week of line reads, his character is fast becoming completely superfluous to the story, a third of fourth billed character at best, while multiple sun plots go on around him just about parking some interest,

A show about X-Wing Police, A political thriller set on Coruscant, a show about Mandalorians, I'd watch them all, but all in half an hour, it's getting seriously messy.

Luther: The Fallen Sun (2023)

It's a 7/10 just bacause I've got a lot of time for Elba, Serkis and General Madine.

[7/10 · 12 March 2023]

But I'm reality it's a pretty weak 5 without them.

It all starts off well enough, certainly looks the part and has you hooked from the start, but from half hour in it descends into a pile of screenwriters vomit, messy, bits and pieces strewn everywhere, the pacing is rushed beyond belief with zero sense of time. How long was he in Prison? How long does it take to get from a police station to a care home compared to getting from London to Iceland in a Volvo, and I know Luther has a trade mark outfit but really, even he'd have pulled over and treated himself to a nice new coat, scarf and gloves before he go there. Serkis was good fun but once it turned into a bad Saw movie with websites that looked like one's from 1995's The Net he lost me and the whole thing fell into a frozen lake. Shame but very watchable I guess.

The Mandalorian: Chapter 18: The Mines of Mandalore (2023) Season 3, Episode 2

For a minute there I thought I was watching the last half hour of The Time Machine.

[8/10 · 8 March 2023]

There was some great imagination in the creatures in this episode, some of them looked super cool, but those lads that kept falling out of the ceiling to attack looked just like the creatures led by Jeremy Irons in the last third of the Time Zmachine remake, part of me wanted Guy Pearce to turn up and save the day, but alas, I'll make do with an expanded role for one of the Galaxy's most misunderstood droids and the opportunity for a Michael Bay Star Wars/Transformers cross over, although that probably isn't the best idea. A good solid episode, great sets, cinematography and creature effects made this one a step above some Disney Star Wars mud based episodes.

The Consultant (2023)

Judging by the first episode...

[7/10 · 24 February 2023]

Expect the unexpected, from the rather good opening scene to the line about 'transportation' (well it made me laugh, yep I'll burn in hell), then that menacing face while doing a certain act. I have no idea what this shows about or where it's heading, didn't even know it was a book, but with Waltz in the lead you know the character will be great regardless of what goes on around him. I think this show will get darker and darker, maybe maddening, maybe a lot worse but the opening is worth way more than one out of ten, and is a lot better than almost all games that you could be playing on your phone.

Star Trek: Picard: The Next Generation (2023) Season 3, Episode 1

A huge initial improvement so far, but tread carefully.

[7/10 · 17 February 2023]

After last Seasons 'Picard: The Voyage Home' adventures (or total lack of) it's a real pleasure to be back in space with some friendly old faces and characters that haven't been created by a focus group of box tickers, although it still seems hard for young men to get a job on the bridge at Star Fleet (less so than over at Star Trek New Worlds at least). The show looks to have had a cash injection in the effects and set departments after the Hollywood backlots and downtown L. A of last time around and o the whole this feels like it could be Star Trek again. Keep it in with the a few characters that care and I think we'll be alright to see Picard out, which after last season, I'm in shock.

On the Line (II) (2022)

Mel Gibson must spend every night alone crying.

[2/10 · 5 February 2023]

Poor old Mel, he's done some bad things in his life, but he had enough wealth to disappear, but no, he's having to serve penance in turgid crud like 'on the line', an amateurish bargain bin 'Talk Radio'. A late night shock jock hosts some of the most appealing line readings ever put to film, then once this film hits every cliche going comes a ginormous twist that misses the mark by being so spiteful that any ounce of good will you had towards.any character vanishes, so it's not funny and doesn't work, but then along comes a double twist and to Paraphrase Mel Gibsons character 'there all a bunch of A-Holes so you just won't care. Mel please retire, the rest of the cast, director and writer please give up.

The Rig (2023– )

So far it literally looks terrible, acted terribly but maybe...

[6/10 · 6 January 2023]

It'll turn into a gem of a story., I doubt it, but after one episode I'll give it a chance. Three great British TV actors in Teale, Compton and Glenn plus the Simon Pegg looking guy from 'Catastrophe' are enough to keep me involved, but the rest of the cast seem trash, poorly acted monster fodder I expect, but if there's one thing letting the whole thing down it's the green screen, at no point do you feel anyone is anywhere of than a studio probably somewhere in Eastern Europe, there's a cheap Doctor Who look about the set, which makes it very dull to watch. I'll give it a couple more episodes to see if the story develops or if the action picks up, but if it's sticking with a group of people moaning at each other then I think I'll jump off this Rig.

Andor: Rix Road (2022) Season 1, Episode 12

When Star Wars grounded itself in real world history

[9/10 · 23 November 2022]

Whoa, this episode was powerful stuff, taking a huge step back from Sci-Fi fantasy and placing us right in the heart of an experience seen first hand through the centuries right here on planet Earth, things we've seen first hand or through news media, the marching, the tension, the oppressive state holding people down, a simmering anger waiting to boil over, this isn't Star Wars anymore, it's a view outside your own window, wherever your from, whatever your politics. You can't argue that this show is brave and so on point at telling a story that's happening right now on our own planet, and to think it was Disney who gave the nod, for a change I say "well done them."

Andor: Daughter of Ferrix (2022) Season 1, Episode 11

Can't believe I was hating on this show all those weeks ago.

[9/10 · 16 November 2022]

The poker face of the Star Wars universe. This show was always playing the long game, I was going to fold, it had me fooled. It's a drama that kept getting better and better and this week we had a huge emotional gut punch, a heart wrenching performance from a droid, characters being captured by huge nets made of tripe, the pieces all coming together for the Empire snd the rebellion and a cheeky little space battle. Everything about this show improves week on week, setting up a 'well im not sure' for next week as the story will go on for 12 more episodes soon after. Can't wait for its hand to be played, I'm going all in.

Andor (2022– )

In a Galaxy far, far away....

[6/10 · 21 September 2022]

... there's one thing you can always be sure from Disney, a lot of mud, dull colours, cheap looking sets and poor acting from a host of bit part British tv actors. So far, so grey. Was looking forward to this show as I love 'Rogue One' but it's pretty bloody gloomy and dull so far, it's 24 episodes so let's hope it's just a slow build to a much bigger better adventure. It has the feel of a BBC drama, a lot of talk, limited excitement and a lot of English accents for a show set in an entire galaxy, something I find really annoying as a Brit, I want escapism, not South London. It doesn't feel like Star Wars, it doesn't feel like Rogue One, not sure what it feels like, but time will tell. Is it good, honestly, I've no idea yet.

House of the Dragon (2022– )

As first episodes go, it was stronger than the first GofT.

[8/10 · 22 August 2022]

Might just be the familiarity of they worlds now, but this was a much better opening episode. The acting was far stronger, the budget hasn't gone backwards so it looks fabulous and the story gave you enough in the first hour to know a lot of bloodshed, backstabbing, chaos and dragon action is coming our way. Was the best thing I'd seen Matt Smith do for a while, wiping the stain of Morbius away with a wry sneer. Can't wait for next week, more than pleased.

Prey (I) (2022)

I only have one major criticism...

[8/10 · 6 August 2022]

In 1719 how on Earth (or anywhere else, as it's about aliens) would a young Native American and a French fur trapper share English as a common language?????

Other than that, I loved it, a bit of heart went into one of these films for the first time in a while, oh and phew, the Dog gets all the way to the end.

Obi-Wan Kenobi: Part VI (2022) Season 1, Episode 6

Came to soon.

[7/10 · 22 June 2022]

This episode reached its climax way to early, then hung around and tidied up after itself until the uncredited cameo.

The show on the whole hasn't been perfect by any stretch but the images of Darth/Anakin after the event (you know the one) is one of the greatest images in Star Wars ever, that moment was an absolute knockout and worth the journey.

Just a shame there was so much redemption to ponder after all the excitement.

Spiderhead (2022)

The Yacht Rock playlist helps a lot!

[6/10 · 17 June 2022]

Like playing GTA, the choice of tunes can enhance scenes no end, and this has a bunch. The leads are great, Hemsworth is one of the few MCU crew worth watching and very funny, while Teller is great. The set design is cool, who wouldn't want to serve time there? But this films messy, feels over long and by the end you'll need stimulants to keep you interested. A clever failure.

Obi-Wan Kenobi: Part V (2022) Season 1, Episode 5

While it's headed in the right direction after last week...

[6/10 · 15 June 2022]

... I just don't feel it like I did the first 3/4 episodes. Again a whole episode set in dirt, if it's not Tatooine it's a muddy hole, visually this was one of the most boring episodes ever. The cliche of Stormtroopers not hitting a barn door held strong and the acting is on the whole pretty terrible. But the story is getting neatly to a conclusion and I've hope the final episode will be somewhat redeeming, although no doubt set on a dirt planet.

Last Seen Alive (2022)

Gerard Butlers a husband pushed to the edge.

[2/10 · 14 June 2022]

Shot on VHS, with a script written on a wet wipe, this is the cheapest looking film Butlers ever done for sure, save yourself 90 minutes (you know exactly how it's going end) and go watch Jurt Russell in Breakdown instead. Basically the same movie, but made with love.

Obi-Wan Kenobi: Part III (2022) Season 1, Episode 3

Don't care what the Dork Side thinks.

[9/10 · 1 June 2022]

This was a cracking episode, fully exploiting the power of Vader, and like Rogue One showed, he's a cruel, nasty piece of work, one we could only have dreamt of seeing in episodes 4-6. Yes the r we nod was a bit 'hey, how she???' But all the filthy Stormtroopers, lightsaber noise and that split second moment of emotion from Reva left me hungry for more.

Still the best Star Wars series so far.

Night Sky (2022– )

So far it's Cocoon devoid of humour.

[6/10 · 20 May 2022]

One episode in and this show desperately needs Steve Gutenberg to lighten the mood. While it's perfectly acted by the two acting heavyweight leads there isn't much else to add so far. That room looks cool, there's a bit of 'what's going on then?' But most of all, this show is bringing out all my anxieties about growing old and alone while losing my mind, and that's not a reason to watch, it's a true life horror with a splash of Sci-fi. Hope it gets better, I'll give it a few more episodes.

The Staircase (2022)

We'll I'm pretty hooked after the first episode.

[8/10 · 5 May 2022]

Quick early review, it's well written enough so far that I'm already thinking 'man, I need to know how this ends', bring in the UK I have no idea how it ended which is great. The performances thus far are on point although the cast is huge and some characters are so far really underdeveloped (I didn't realise GofT Sophie Turner was even in it. But with it shot like a Southern version of Mayor of Easttown that's enough for me. I'll do the lot and probably be (pray I don't) let down by the last episode.

Moon Knight: The Goldfish Problem (2022) Season 1, Episode 1

Loses 5 points for ordering a well done fillet steak but...

[8/10 · 30 March 2022]

.... Wins back 3 for having someone called Tommy Turtle on the crew.

Anyway, I knew nothing about this shows backstory snd watched as a complete newbie and thoroughly enjoyed it. Oscar Isaac is brilliant, playing Martin Freeman doing a Ricky Gervais impression (if Freeman wasn't in the MCU already he'd be here right now), and all the Ancient Egypt stuff with the cult followers brought back memories of 'Young Sherlock Holmes and the Pyramid of Fear', for me, a good thing. Can't wait to see what comes next, blessed to watch something I've heard so little about.

The Book of Boba Fett: Chapter 7: In the Name of Honor (2022) Season 1, Episode 7

Great fun, but we all knew it'd be a race to the finish.

[8/10 · 9 February 2022]

After a two episode detour this episode had way to much to do to be wholly satisfying, and it turns out it's clearly just a flashy set up to further stories.

That being said, some of it was seriously epic, some of it, well quite ropey looking. I'll never get onboard with those Mod Speeders and they look terrible cruising around town. Another turn up looked like an ode to great fantasy cinema of the 50s and 60s in places, and was that a nod to 2001?

The high point for me was Fennec's scene, the quietest in the film but showed a tone less silly and all the better for going forward.

In all this series was far from perfect, but it opened up so many opportunities going forward it can't not have its place in the Saga.

Like I said at the beginning, never a 10 out of 10 but it'll most certainly do.