emms75 Reviews

Bodies (2023)

Worth watching

[5/10 · 30 October 2023]

I was intrigued when I read about this series. I'm a huge sci-fi/time travel and crime drama fan so this ticked a lot of boxes.

Having now watched the whole series I feel a little bit disappointed. I really think the basic idea is very good, and somewhat original (although later on there did seem to be some mimicking of other popular movies) The script was poor, in my opinion, and I laughed out loud in places at the ridiculousness of it.

Some great actors were cast, and I feel they did their best with a story and a script that seemed to be generally 'untidy'.

Nevertheless, I was inclined to continue watching till the end despite the lack of excitement I'd been expecting.

23 Walks (2020)

Very watchable

[6/10 · 9 May 2023]

This is a nice little story, very watchable. It's not a masterpiece by any stretch, but I found it enjoyable, heartwarming in places.

Not sure about the main characters, particularly their reactions to certain events. I haven't decided yet whether this is due to poor acting or poor script! Having seen 'Our Souls at Night' a few years back (which I loved) I couldn't help but compare and this definitely wasn't a patch on Our Souls.

It's also listed as a comedy...I didn't really find it funny...nevertheless worth a watch for some light entertainment with a feel good factor thrown in.

PS best actors were the canines.

Obsession (2023)

What the?!?!

[2/10 · 18 April 2023]

Oh my word...I've seen some utter tripe on Netflix recently but this has got to be the tripest!

I've recently had flu and been heavily binging Netflix, stumbled upon this and now I'm wondering if my fever is back and I'm hallucinating haha.

This is supposed to be a thriller, however there is nothing thrilling going on here. The story is totally unbelievable and very weak. I feel like this series was written in a hurry. The main characters are thoroughly revolting, lacking substance. In fact the word 'character' doesn't feel appropriate as they don't have any.

It's impossible to connect with any of them, the whole thing is just so utterly bizarre.

The only thing that makes it watchable is the fact that it's hilarious in places, (you'll understand if you watch it!), however apart from those cherished moments it's very depressing.

I think I can see what the intentions of the film makers were, however I'm afraid they've failed miserably.

The Sister (2020)

Mildly entertaining but for wrong reasons

[6/10 · 16 April 2023]

Ok, the acting was pretty bad, especially Bob the baddie with the squeaky voice and baddie facial expressions.

I've seen the main actors in other things and thought they were pretty good so I can only assume these odd performances were down to poor direction?!

Some very peculiar, even comical scenarios, made me feel this could've made a great spoof thriller!

Anyway, I've still given this a 6/10 as it was watchable, possibly for all the wrong reasons however I did want to find out what happened at the end...

If you're really at a loose end and have watched the rest of Netflix, then it might be worth watching.

The Drowning (2021)

Ouch

[2/10 · 5 December 2022]

By the end of the first episode I knew this was pretty grim, but morbid curiosity led me to watch the whole thing.

I'm stunned at how this script was ever commissioned!

The acting was horrendous, the plot utterly ridiculous. Disjointed, laughable, daft and ludicrous! (Just a few of the words that spring to mind)!

It's kinda like panto but it's not funny. The characters are painfully rubbish, and entire subplots seem to have been added with no obvious relevance to the rest of the story. Perhaps it needed bulking out?! I've seen student films that would knock the socks off this!

Come on Jill Halfpenny, I know the cost of living has risen but surely you can afford to turn some of these recent disasters down?!

The Holiday (2021)

LOL

[2/10 · 6 October 2022]

Crikey, this is actually diabolical. Nothing about this series is believable. The characters are vile as people and to each other. Why on Earth would they be on holiday together? I actually laughed out loud on occasion, when the chaos would unfold before everyone just carried on as normal.

This is so ridiculous I have to see it through!

I'm on ep 3 and so far nothing has happened in terms of story and character development, just a bunch of horrible people arguing. The characters are very stereotypical, including the utterly ridiculous teenage characters.

Best watched with some alcohol, gets even funnier then 🤣

After the Screaming Stops (2018)

Spoiler alert...this is not a spoof!

[10/10 · 6 June 2022]

For those who are unsure Bros were a talentless 80s pop group who's success was entirely down to being superbly marketed.

Fast forward 30-odd years and the twins Luke and Matt Goss are still trying to prove they have something interesting about them.

I feel sorry for the boys really, so much fame so young then, nothing, is gonna do a bit of damage.

Matt has reinvented himself as a sort of highly camp Frank Sinatra impersonator you would expect to see at Butlins, only he's elevated his ego to a point where he clearly believes he's the messiah himself.

Luke, his identical twin (are they still identical if one has put so much plastic in his face they now look entirely different?!) is a little less narcissistic and at times appears almost as uncomfortable as I was at his brothers continuous attempts to be profound.

On the plus side parts of this film had me rolling round in hysterics, especially once I'd realised this wasn't a clever spoof. These are not characters from the latest Ricky Gervais comedy! Which makes this possibly the darkest comedy you will ever watch! Hence my score of 10! Highly entertaining but for all the wrong reasons!

Stay Close (2021)

Erm...

[4/10 · 9 January 2022]

This is possibly one of the most bizarre series I have come across. I honestly thought it was supposed to be a spoof! The plot, the characters, the setting..nothing makes any sense. It's like a very poorly thought out comedy. If Leslie Nielson was alive, I'd half expect him to put in an appearance. (I wish he had)

Spotlight (I) (2015)

Phenomenal

[10/10 · 11 September 2021]

Absolutely mind blown. Superb production in every way, a heartbreakingly true story very well told. This is what it's all about.

Chernobyl: Abyss (2021)

Seen better, seen worse

[6/10 · 15 August 2021]

I was surprised at all the negative comments. This movie is not so bad. I see little point in making comparisons with other productions about the disaster.

It generally feels like a TV movie, and I might have been a bit disappointed if I'd gone to the cinema to watch this. However sitting on my sofa I was quite entertained and inspired to find out more about Chernobyl.

The leading actor was excellent, I recommend this movie!

Rocketman (I) (2019)

Okay

[5/10 · 15 May 2021]

I have to be honest and say I was disappointed with this movie.

I'm not sure why lots of reviews here are making comparisons to Bohemian Rhapsody, this is a completely different thing.

Taron was excellent, as we're most of the performers.

However it took me three sittings to get through this film. I was waiting for something interesting to happen.

To be Frank, it was depressing, really hard work and despite the occasional impressive scene, it was disjointed and certainly could've been at least 40 minutes shorter.

I wanted to live this film, but I'd have been pretty gutted if I'd have paid to see this on the big screen.

The One (I) (2021)

Great idea, poorly executed

[5/10 · 13 March 2021]

The idea is brilliant, the plot okay. I think what let's this down is the acting, especially main character. Although I might be being unfair to the actress, it could be that she was poorly directed. Either way, it does let the show down. It's watchable, but could have been a lot better. .

Another Earth (2011)

Brilliant!

[9/10 · 30 January 2021]

I'm struggling to find fault with this movie. Not everyone will appreciate it, this movie is for us dreamers, with the ability to fall deeply into a story, be inspired by it, and moved by it. Excellent bit of film making.

The Core (2003)

Cheesy but fun!

[6/10 · 7 January 2021]

It's a 'nice' movie. In the same way that those films you watched on TV when you were off school ill in the 80s were. A lot of the performances were very good, although I felt Hilary Swanks character was a little under developed and actually rather irritating! Perhaps it was the script or direction that was to blame?! The special effects were very good, the general idea was interesting, although not particularly scientifically accurate. But so what? Its no blockbuster but its certainly entertaining, if not a little cheesy in places. OK a LOT cheesy!

Colossal (2016)

Another example of what Vigalondo does best.

[7/10 · 24 May 2017]

Colossal, written and directed by Nacho Vigalondo, is refreshingly a million miles away from much of the dull Hollywood predictability that often keeps me away from my local multiplex. I have been a fan of quirky independent films forever, and having particularly enjoyed this writer/director's previous creations, including Los Cronocrimines (2007), and Extraterrestre (2011), I was tempted to swim to America to see it on its earlier US release date. Sadly I couldn't find my arm bands, so I had to wait until this morning. The basic synopsis doesn't sound too far off from some of the Hollywood sausage factory films that bore me rigid:

Gloria is an out-of-work party girl forced to leave her life in New York City, and move back home. When reports surface that a giant creature is destroying Seoul, she gradually comes to the realization that she is somehow connected to this phenomenon. - IMDb

But its Vigalondo's usual 'unusualness' that sets this film apart from mainstream mediocrity. The most significant quirk is a massive genre shift that initially left me feeling that the film was a 'nutribullet-ing' together of Cloverfield with The Girl on the Train. What initially appears to be a run-of-the-mill film about a semi- alcoholic woman being dumped by her boyfriend, without warning transforms into a full-on Kaiju monster movie. The story is delivered via a competent mix of humour, suspense and surprise – all carried by a script that is both crisp and much more authentic than many other current offerings. The film is not without a few niggles however. Although it is a relief to see a film so many miles away from Hollywood convention, at times I found myself frustrated that it seemed to have stalled a few yards short of an alternative destination. The pace was a little inconsistent - some parts had me completely hooked but in others my suspense was not about 'what' would happen next, but rather 'when'. Occasionally the part comedy / part serious genre mix left me feeling a bit uncertain. At some points I wasn't sure if the audience was supposed to laugh or be outraged. This uncertainty may have been the maker's intention, but I have to say it restricted my enjoyment of the film. On leaving the cinema I had several unanswered questions regarding the credibility of some of the characters' actions, which was a little frustrating. Despite these issues, the story on the whole was complete and provided a satisfying outcome. On balance my eager anticipation of this film was rewarded, and even with the glitches it was far more worthy of nearly two hours of my life and more enjoyable to talk about than anything else I have seen this year. I would gladly watch ten films like Colossal than any of the formulaic rehashes that were trailered before it started. Go see it! Emma x

Genius (2017– )

Superb!

[9/10 · 16 May 2017]

I am amazed to read all the negative reviews here. I was hooked on Genius from the first episode. Yes, there's not an awful lot of science in it (up till now anyway - I've just watched episode 4), but the bio of Einsteins life fascinates me, as I am always keen to know more about the real person behind their work. The acting is superb, Rush is always amazing and Johnny Flynn is a pleasant surprise. Love the production, its a fascinating story very well told.

Domingo (2007)

Low budget, high impact

[9/10 · 3 July 2014]

An interesting little film, this shows us that you don't necessarily need a big budget and special effects to make a huge impact. Running for less than four minutes, and with only two shots, this camcorder footage style film provides all the evidence needed to prove the existence of extraterrestrial life, therefore potentially changing mankind forever. However the more significant footage captured shows us that actually the most important thing to mankind is our relationships with each other. Funny, thought provoking and inspiring work, as always, from Nacho Vigalondo and a taster for his later feature film 'Extraterrestre'.

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006)

disappointment!

[3/10 · 15 July 2006]

I'm afraid to say I was very disappointed with this film. I had high expectations from the start, having been such a huge fan of POTC1, but I found myself looking at my watch wanting it to end! The characters had very little depth or substance to them this time, even Jack Sparrow was paralytic - over the top. The special effects became the main 'character' of the film and everything else revolved around them. 'Curse of the Black Pearl' was brilliant in every way and so much fun that I never notice the hours going by. 'Dead Man's Chest' was an effort to sit through and I doubt very much I'll bother going to see the third installment because frankly, I don't care what happens next! If you liked the first film, then prepare to feel disappointed!

Alien: Resurrection (1997)

don't bother!

[2/10 · 11 January 2006]

I watched this film simply out of interest because I am the biggest fan of the Alien trilogy (and yes, to me it remains a trilogy!). I was reluctant, however, as Ripley had died at the end of the third film, and the only reason I could see for making a fourth where she is 'resurrected' was purely to cash in at the box office. That's fine I suppose since, let's face it, that's what Hollywood is all about. However, I really feel that this film was a plain insult to the classic 'Alien', and it's wonderful sequel 'Aliens'. Although 'Alien 3' wasn't quite as brilliant, it was still a very good film which followed in the footsteps of the former two by using tension building and atmosphere as a way of creating fear. 'Alien: Resurrection' fails to do this, and instead relies upon gore. The thing that makes 1-3 of the series so great is that it is kept so simple, despite its setting it is believable, and the characters can be related to in some way so the audience can identify with them and understand their fear. The fourth in the epic has failed to do this as it has gone too far and become 'silly'. I still consider the 'Alien' series to be a trilogy, which I continue to watch and admire. I won't be watching Resurrection again!!

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)

nothing new!

[5/10 · 30 December 2005]

All of the kids in the cinema seemed to enjoy this film (apart from the very bored young chap sat behind me who repeatedly kicked my chair before leaving the cinema half way through). However I thought it was simply yet another typical Hollywood big budget production, they've taken a classic children's story and made it into the trendy Harry Potter meets Lord of the Rings - the result...nothing we've not seen before. On the plus side, the actress who plays Lucy was excellent and in fact I feel she carried the other, not so talented actors (adults and children). However, this alone is not enough to warrant purchasing a cinema ticket, I recommend you wait for the DVD to come out!

The Ring Two (2005)

Possibly the worst sequel I've seen!

[1/10 · 10 December 2005]

I watched this film purely out of curiosity, to see if could be anywhere near as good as the 'The Ring'. I was so disappointed! The plot was weak, I didn't care what happened in the story, I just wanted the film to end so I could leave the cinema without disturbing the people sitting near me! The way the film was shot, the colours, camera angles, even the special effects were completely different to the first film. This may have been intentional, but for 'The Ring' the way the film was directed is one of the elements that make it so good. The characters have changed in 'Ring 2' also. Naomi Watts character is no-where near as convincing, nor is Aidan's character, although having seen their brilliant performances in the first film I think this is the fault of the weak screenplay and direction as opposed to the actors in question. The first film had a complex plot which drew me in and kept me interested, it was full of powerful imagery that confused and unnerved me, and it created tension from the start, creating a mood which remained consistent to the end. This sequel had none of this and I would suggest if you enjoyed 'The Ring', then you will be disappointed if you watch 'Ring 2'. I have seen 'The Ring' several times now and thoroughly enjoy it every time - even though I know how it ends! I will never bore myself by attempting to sit through 'Ring 2' again. Very poor!!

Hide and Seek (2005)

What a shame...

[3/10 · 28 October 2005]

...that an actor who I once admired so much, whose films I raced to the cinema to see, has chosen to go down this particular road! The most recent films of Robert DeNiro have been nothing more than typical Hollywood trash that once upon a time he swore he would never get involved with! However, driven by new incentives, he has put his name on this stinker too! I love the horror/thriller genre and as long as there is a good plot and characters, I can usually get quite involved. During 'Hide and Seek' however, I found myself spending the entire film predicting what was about to happen next. OK, that is something many of us do...but I was horribly right every time! I also predicted the ending right at the start! The problem is, we've seen it all before. Freaky kid, isolated house, recently traumatised, etc etc! This film took some very good - some classic films, - eg 'The Shining', 'Sixth Sense', 'Secret Window' - stole some of their plots, mixed them up, and came out with this cocktail of everything we know and hate about Hollywood today.

About Schmidt (2002)

This is what film making is all about

[10/10 · 19 June 2005]

I agree with all the positive comments that have been said about this film, so I won't repeat them all! I'll just say that this film is a truly remarkable piece of storytelling. I noticed in a previous comment someone wrote that anyone under the age of 30 shouldn't bother going to see this film as they would find it boring. Well, I was under 30 when I first saw this film and I fully appreciated every aspect of it. It is a slow film, and I understand it may not hold the attention of an audience who are used to the thrills and spills that Hollywood churn out weekly. However, if you're prepared to sit back, watch and listen, then you will become drawn into the mind of Warren Schmidt, and share his experiences and emotions. By the end of the movie you will feel as if he is a very dear friend! This film is particularly interesting as the mood it creates is both very dark and hysterically funny, and every viewer will be able to relate to this film in one way or another. I gave this film 10/10.

Philadelphia (1993)

Good bits and bad bits! (spoiler!!!)

[8/10 · 9 June 2004]

I saw this film for the first time last night on DVD. It's always been one of those films I felt I should watch, but somehow never got round to it. I've always been a fan of Tom Hanks, and was curious to see his performance in this particular role, being quite different to anything else I've seen him do. I was not disappointed by his performance, nor by that of Denzel Washington. I thought that both performances were very convincing. The movie overall, I felt was very good. It had a good story, and I cared about what the outcome of the trial would be. My only critisism was that I would have liked to have had more sympathy for Andrew Beckett. I did have a little weep at the end when he died, however I did have the entire film to prepare for that eventualitly as somehow I knew he was going to die at the end. The lack of sympathy I'm talking about comes from not having the chance to get to know the character properly, and not knowing enough about him to relate to him personally. I felt the film was rushed really, that there were large chunks of story missing. I'm not sure I liked the swift changes between events earlier on in the film where we are only really given facts about the character which are relevant to the trial later on. I suppose this may have been deliberate, as this would be similar to how facts are presented to a Jury in a courtroom. Before I saw the film, I knew that it was about a man with AIDS. I therefore thought it would either be depressing, or upliftiing. It turned out to be both. Generally a very good film that I would probably watch again.

Evolution (2001)

A winning formula

[26 April 2004]

Having been a huge fan of Ghostbusters, I was expecting big things from Evolution. I was not disappointed. True, there were many striking resemblances to Ghostbusters, and many of Reitman's other films. But hey, it works. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I wasn't alone as the packed out cinema were laughing out loud and clapping (which is not usual behaviour in British cinemas so it must be good)!

The idea was great, the characters were fun, the special effects were perfect. It will never have the same magic that Ghostbusters has for me, but Evolution is a film I have bought on DVD, and I still find it very entertaining and amusing....and isn't that what it's all about?

Don't retire yet Ivan....