munns30 Reviews

Gray (2023– )

Dreary and dull

[5/10 · 20 March 2024]

Well, I hardly think you're able to call this a thriller, as surely that requires some thrills. This definitely has...none. It's bland and boring, and so incredibly slow. Glaciers move quicker than the plot pacing here!

I'm all for talkie dramas, but the dialogue needs to be able to stand up. This script falls down 90% off the time, leaving seasoned actors looking amateurish at best, incompetent at worst.

I'm not sure the dreadful mis-casting helped matters either. Patricia Clarkson (usually a favourite of mine) was as wooden as spoon, with about as much depth. But by far the strangest casting was Rupert Everetts'. I have to ask if his character was supposed to be comedic? Because, we'll...Honestly! I couldn't believe who I was watching, and how badly he was performing.

If it is renewed, I will not be tuning in.

Robbie Williams (2023)

The most self indulgent documentary you'll see this year.

[3/10 · 25 November 2023]

Well, personally I didn't bother finishing this 'documentary'. I made it through episodes one and two, but frankly by number three I'd had enough.

Enough of the one sided bleh coming from Robbie. There is only so much woe is me you can listen to from a man sitting on a king size bed, in a mansion, in his underpants. Get over yourself Mr Williams.

I wonder how much better this would have been if we'd been afforded interviews with others who had been there at the time. How did the rest of Take That feel receiving Robbie's vitriol all those years ago. How did Guy feel after being unceremoniously dumped?

Alas, we shall never find the answers here.

Wind River (2017)

So I helped solve an horrific crime...

[1/10 · 28 September 2023]

And all I got you was this stuffed shark and a magazine. A magazine wondering what a woman should look for in a man.

And the women of the world wept!

Well thank god that after brutal rape (interesting autocorrect doesn't like THAT word), a man is there to reconcile the woman who solved the entire thing.

A truly misguided attempt to show a woman's plight, buy people who will never actually understand that threat.

The scenery was truly breathtaking.

But the most breathtaking thing to me is that this is still acceptable. I would never allow my niece to watch this, except as an example of how we move forward.

Wham! (2023)

Affecting and affirming

[9/10 · 6 July 2023]

I was at least 10 years too young to properly appreciate the Wham! Phenomenon in it's time, having been born in the early 80's.

But George Michael, and his struggles became very pertinent to me as a teenager in the 90's. I remember him as a man defined by his attempt at personal freedom, in a world that was not quite ready to accept him.

Watching this documentary, I truly grew to enjoy and value the strength of friendship enjoyed by George and Andy. How beautiful!

It really is the strength of this documentary; a pure demonstration of what unconditional love and support is. Especially when there is a divergence of paths.

I'm so glad it was dictated by their words, and their voices (and Andy's mamas scrap books). It lent a real honesty.

If only all friendships could be this supportive, and truly loving.

Wishes are a careless whisper.?

The Estate (II) (2022)

I couldn't finish, so advise you not to start.

[2/10 · 19 May 2023]

What a shame.

Judging by the cast you'd think this would be an easy win. But my word the writing is bad. The characters are horrible, and the 'humour' is just not funny enough to make up for that.

More than this, it's just dull. Dreary and mind numbing. This feels like it was a first draft of what could have been something good, but lacked any kind of editing or feedback before it went into production.

I really struggle to understand how seasoned actors could have read this script and agreed to take part in this shoddy film! I can only guess they are in need of some dollars, or owe someone a favour...because why else??

Stranger Things (2016–2025)

The return of event television!

[9/10 · 3 July 2022]

Not since the early 2000's, has there been such an eagerly awaited genre TV series finale.

And my word. Does this deliver edge of the seat drama? Yes, it does.

After four seasons, loyal viewers are now fully invested in these characters; involved in their fights, and intrigued by their outcome. You care for the plight of all involved, as you watch chess pieces across a decimated board fall into place, for epic battles. Who will survive? Who will fall? Watch to find out! It's intricate, its horrific, it's fascinating; it's ultimately human!

The pacing, soundtrack, cinematography and direction of this show, are second only to plot and character. As it should be.

Is it derivative? YES!! But with enough originality that it remains singular.

Creativity lives!! Thank the gods!!!

The OA (2016–2019)

Beautifully crafted, engaging sci-if

[10/10 · 7 June 2022]

I'm not sure how I feel after completing the two seasons...

BEGUILED by the beautiful direction, cinematography and writing of this stunning entry into the sci-fi cannon

BEREFT that there is nothing left but my poor imagination to continue these characters tales. A poor facsimile to be sure.

ANGRY that mediocrity flows into the mainstream on a daily basis like sewage into a river; whilst such imaginative, philosophical and masterful work as this, floats away into the aether. Shameful.

BBA and thank you.

Red Notice (2021)

Wonjamanool

[1/10 · 14 November 2021]

This movie really is the definition of phoning it in. No reinvention required on the part of the actors, these are characters they know well and have played many times before. 'If it ain't broken, don't fix it', is a good rule for many things in life; but call me crazy, a little originality in a film goes a long way. This has none.

If you need a trite Sunday movie to snooze to, look no further, Netflix has supplied. Disappointing all round.

Safety Not Guaranteed (2012)

Yes!!

[8/10 · 2 September 2017]

It has been half an hour since I finished watching this movie; the daft grin it left plastered on my face is still there and refusing to budge. An utterly beguiling film, with an ending which pleases the romantic fantasist in me no end!!

Watch it! I shall say no more!

In Your Eyes (2014)

I simply love this film.

[9/10 · 2 September 2017]

I absolutely loved this movie. I turned it on with exactly zero expectations and was thoroughly wowed. The story line is simple enough, but the acting is superb; especially so as the main characters only have one scene together. The facial and physical reactions to each other are subtle, full of nuance and evoked so much pathos I found it fairly staggering. There were moments I laughed out load during the movie, but it is definitely not a rom-com. Nor a dramedy either. It is essentially a drama which deals with love and mental health in a very unique, light and unusual way. If you in anyway enjoy a romantic movie which is full of quirks; I'm talking 'Safety Not Guaranteed', 'Her', 'Non-transferable', then you will probably fall head over heals with this little gem!

Crazyhead (2016)

After 1 episode...

[8/10 · 19 October 2016]

Bearing in mind that I am well above the target demographic; and that I am old enough to remember Buffy on TV the first time around...

...I was hooked from the opening sequence of this new show, which almost made me choke on my biscuit. I thought it was very funny, well acted, well paced, good effects; and nice use of a frankfurter sausage for comedy effect!

Having been a teenager in the '90's, I did find myself making the obvious comparisons with BTVS. But, although the basic premise are comparable, this seemed to have a very different flavour to Buffy. In BTVS, our heroine was fighting to save the world; so far as I could tell from episode 1, there were no such lofty or noble aspirations for the war waged on demons, which I find refreshing. Also, the humour is so British the show might as well come with complimentary cups of tea and wellington boots.

I am more than happy to sit down and watch episode 2 next week. Fingers crossed I come away feeling as happy as I did after 1!

Deadpool (2016)

Well, blow me!

[8/10 · 24 May 2016]

Let me say at the very beginning of this review, I loathe super hero movies. I can not stress that point enough. For me, watching anyone of the countless driveling movies which have been pumped out by studios in the name of entertainment over the past decade is, for me, akin to having teeth pulled. Painful to say the least. My friends however are addicted to every single bombastic franchise, and through sufferance, I've endured countless hours of mind numbing boredom watching yet more Lycra-clad numpties saving the earth from ridiculous threat (there are of course exceptions to the above; 'The Dark Knight', the original 'X-Men)

I was once again convinced that spending an evening with chums watching Deadpool would be an excellent waste of my time. I envisaged 15 minutes of feigned interest, followed by an hour 45 of updating my email and some cheeky online shopping. Well that new Morphy Richards kettle and toaster are still waiting for me to purchase as low and behold, shock of all shocks, this film is bloody marvellous!! Bloody, hold your knickers cause they are about to get blown off, marvellous!

The dialogue is witty, sincere, and delivered by every single actor with a naturalism which seems more like improvised off the cuff genius, than drab scripted nonsense.

The pacing of the movie is excellent. It held my interest through its entirety.

The actions scenes directed with the skill of a more seasoned director.

I was so pleased that for once, I was being forced to watch a movie that treated me like an adult, with adult humour and themes, made for adults. Not for grown children masquerading as adults.

This film is a perfect storm! Just everything is right! I look forward, to my great surprise to any squeals!