ajepisode13 Reviews

Bone Tomahawk (2015)

Amateur approach to a promising idea

[5/10 · 28 January 2018]

The Old West...cannibals....cowboys....damsel in distress....posse of various characters. The plot here is an interesting one, with genuine possibilities of something special, something different. But oh dear, the directing is right out of the Ed Wood School of Film-making. The talented Kurt Russell is totally wasted, and the beautiful Lili Simmons is completely under-used. Richard Jenkins manages to deliver the better dialogue but the rest of the cast are, sadly, in the hands of someone who looks as if he's never seen a film in his life. I can't imagine there was a storyboard or considerable production-planning. There is so much scope for real suspense throughout the search for the missing townsfolk, but the director uses nothing to suggest tension or fear. He needs to watch films from the 40s and 50s, and learn how to involve the audience more. The landscapes are attractive but the cameraman uses little creative or artistic skills in the remainder of the film. So sad, because the premise is a really good one. I just wish someone with real skills had taken the helm: we would have a much better film, I believe.

Tin Star (2017–2020)

The dregs...bottom of the barrel junk

[12 October 2017]

This is, quite simply, one of the worst, most embarrassing series ever aired on television. Let's start with the family: Tim Roth is a most capable actor. However, he is NOT strong enough to hold down the lead in a production. He has zero charm in this series, and normally, we cheer on the lead in any TV show or movie, Roth's character is negative, hateful, pathetic and miserable. He has NO positive attractions whatsoever. The wife and mother are foul-mouthed females who seem intent on giving Brits a bad name. Neither of the women are believable, sadly. Then we have the adversary, the teenage killer who runs around in tights and is a pint-sized punk. An embarrassment to the excuse for a plot. The only saving grace in this wretched show is the performance of the ever-dependable Christopher Heyerdahl. He is excellent, and is the only reason I have put up with this trash. Christina Hendricks is a good actress, but even she looks embarrassed at her role and her dialogue at times. Now we reach the main culprit - the script-writer. I have no idea who he/she/they is/are, but the writer of this show should be shoveling sand in the desert for a living. As a writer myself, I cannot believe the inane dialogue that is thrown at the viewer. EVERY character is a foul-mouthed SOB, according to the script. Why? Why does this amateur scriptwriter think that everyone in the world swears every three seconds? He gives a bad light on Canadians and Brits. He is a bad and poor writer, unable to inject sensible dialogue into the progress of the show, and so reverts to foul-language to fill his inadequacies. I see there is now a Season 2. Perish forbid! Go watch HOMELAND, RIPPER STREET, PENNY DREADFUL, LONGMIRE if you want to hear good dialogue and see equally good performances. Shows like BANSHEE and RAY DONOVAN have much bad-language but the scripts and characters are sharp and believable. TIN STAR is a sad and pathetic excuse for entertainment.

The Duel (I) (2016)

Unfit for human viewing.

[7 July 2017]

Over the past decade, there has been a resurgence in the Western. That is good news because this is a much-loved genre. However, when a film like THE DUEL comes along, we simply reverse to square one all over again. This is a miserable and unsatisfying excuse for a film. The viewer will find it difficult to cheer on any of the cast, simply because they are one-dimensional characters. It is not the fault of the actors, however. Blame lies entirely at the feet of the director. This is one helmsman who is totally amateurish in his approach, and I will do my best to avoid his features in the future. There is zero intrigue, suspense, characterization, interest nor due care here. The pace drags throughout. And the editing is amateurish also. Liam Hemsworth is a competent actor but even he struggles with his role - yet he is the best thing about the film. And as for Woody Harrelson...! He should receive an award for the Greatest Miscasting of the Year. He is downright hopeless in the role of the Mount Hermon emperor. This part requires an actor of strength and charisma. But poor Woody falls at every step. Don't misunderstand me, I like Woody Harrelson. But not in roles like this. Abysmal casting.

Camelot (2011)

The Collapse of CAMELOT

[7/10 · 1 October 2015]

The success of a film or TV series depends not on the storyline but by the actors who have to bring it to life on the screen. As an example, not all Shakespeare-based films have been successful. With CAMELOT, the majority of the cast were either sturdy in their delivery or near-excellent. EVA GREEN is magnificent in her role as the sorceress/evil half-sister. She epitomizes evil and with her excellent acting skills, she practically carries the show. Joseph FIENNES adopted a new approach to the role of Merlin, and it is an acceptable ploy. I enjoyed his depiction of the magician. TAMSIN EGERTON is a tall and willowy Guinevere but she succeeded with what little she was given. CLAIRE FORLANI is very good in her role, both beautiful and involved. The lady has tremendous performance skills and I hope we see more of her. And then we come to the lead role of Arthur. In the history of casting, I cannot think of a worse choice for such a relevant and vital part. Jamie Bower is weak, unattractive and totally lacking in authority as is required. I could not accept or believe in him. For me, he simply spoiled the entire series. Such a shame because the series and its style had so much potential.

White House Down (2013)

White House...way down

[2/10 · 4 June 2014]

Yet again, Channing Tatum proves he is an actor of very limited talent. But perhaps the weakest aspect of this weak movie is its script. The dialog - particularly between Tatum's character and the President - is just downright embarrassing. Was this written by a school-kid? If this was the 1940s 0r 50s, this juvenile script would have been thrown in the trash. Even the ever-reliable James Woods appears out-of-sorts in this junk. Richard Jenkins works with what little he is given but his skill as an actor is evident. And the young girl who plays Tatum's daughter shows her potential. In fact, she displays more acting range than her father.Go watch OLYMPUS HAS FALLEN instead. It is no classic by a long shot, but more entertaining than this effort.

Immortals (2011)

Sad, sad days......

[2/10 · 21 November 2012]

Imagine a talentless, unimaginative group of people sitting around a table: "Let's make movie. We have a 75 mill budget" "Great! I want lots of CGI - I like CGI" "Okay. CGI it is. Now we need a story?" "Why? "You're right. Well...Let's throw something together. Remember, friends, it's the CGI that everybody loves!" ************************************************************ This junk is further proof of how Hollywood and Americana is going rapidly downhill in terms of Entertainment. Luke, who plays Zeus, is the worst bit of miscasting in Cinema history. No character, no power, no supremacy, as you would expect from the King of the Gods. Miss Pinto out-acts everyone on screen by being calm, controlled and beautiful. Mickey overacts ridiculously. Cavill as our hero is okay. Just. Oh, God, if only Ray Harryhausen had not retired! Give this to him and even in his 90s, Ray could produce something far superior to this lame effort. No wonder film-goers are turning to Europe and Asia for sensible and proper film entertainment these days.Shame on you, Hollywood.

Terra Nova (I) (2011)

Prehistoric script for a prehistoric yawn

[5 October 2011]

I'd been eager to see this, following all the hype. Jeez, what a disaster!Badly directed, loads of miscasting, but the worst thing is the introduction of the teen-group. Clearly, the 'writer' wants to involve a 'Twilight' type aura to his show. Yawn...Dull teens and why so argumentative and stubborn? After 40 minutes, I switched channels. It was painful to watch something so mediocre and juvenile. And I agree with other comments that the family-approach was tepid and way over the top. All in all, the concept here is a decent one. But it desperately needs a new writer, a new director, a new angle altogether. Give me LOST or X-FILES any day. Is this what USA TV is coming to? God help us.

The Eagle (2011)

Atrocious miscasting

[20 August 2011]

I enjoy these type of action/adventure movies with an historical nature. The film itself I thought was entertaining enough, but Channing Tatum was pathetic! Wooden acting from beginning to end, with an accent that was truly embarrassing. Jamie Bell was fine, and the British accent is far more acceptable here - even if we are talking about Italian settings. But Channing was as bad as some of the beefcake US actors that appeared in sword-and-sandal features of the 60s (Steve Reeves & Gordon Scott excluded). The costumes, the scenery and the battle scenes were all entertaining, and the storyline was basic and easy enough to follow. So, as an action picture, it worked. Sorry, but Channing is no international actor. He is not well-recognised outside the USA and I don't see how he ever will be. He is one of these homegrown TV performers who get by on their good looks and not good skills. He will struggle to make the grade in terms of universal appeal.For me, his presence and performance spoiled the movie.

King Kong (1933)

The Ultimate Movie

[10/10 · 18 August 2011]

Quite simply, the greatest motion picture that has ever been made. Romance, drama, horror, adventure, suspense, comedy, mystery...KONG has it all. There will never be anything remotely like it. KONG takes you into its magical and fantastic world from which you will never escape - luckily. Fay Wray's performance is legendary, and even Bruce Cabot makes a likable hero. The photography and the sets are stunning, and Skull Island itself simply oozes with menace and mystery. Willis O'Brien was a classic innovator, and his protégé, Ray Harryhausen, has mastered the art - fortunately for the likes of us. Jackson did a fair effort at recreating this monster movie, but his ape simply lacked the compassion and the inherent personality that Willis was able to instill within his creation.

The Hole (2009)

Cinematic garbage

[1/10 · 29 April 2011]

This has got to earn the distinction of being the biggest load of cinematic garbage in the last 50 years. Joe Dante proves again that, sadly, he is a has-been. Similar to Carpenter and Craven, Dante began his career well but has gone downhill rapidly ever since. For starters, the lead characters are dim and you feel no sympathy for them. The lead male/teenager in particular lacks any form of dramatic influence. Simply, he cannot act. The boy who plays the younger brother is probably the best in the film - and that's saying something. The script is jokey, unbelievable and morose. The effects are very amateurish. The lighting throughout is a disgrace to any cinematic form. But it is the terrible acting that amazes me, and the poor direction throughout. Even Ed Wood could do better than this tripe. If you've not seen it, avoid at all costs! A dreadful film.

The Phantom (2009)

Disgrace.

[1/10 · 30 January 2010]

If you are familiar with the real Phantom, and know that he is jungle-based and decked in the classic purple and black, then you will probably agree that this abomination is an abortion of the legend of The Phantom. In this sad opus, some American teenager (yawn) becomes the 22nd Phantom. Okay...we'll settle for that, just. Then they whisk him away to a good old jungle (at last!)where The-Ghost-That-Walks must be trained. And what's the first thing this candy-stick kid does? He calls the original outfit junk and so they replace it with something that is nothing at all reminiscent of The Phantom. So why on Earth call it The Phantom? Why not create a new hero instead of mincing and corrupting a character that has been with us for way over 60 years? This is cheap Hollywood, making weak movies on the strength of a name, and yet abusing that name disgracefully. Avoid. Go watch Tom Tyler's serial version instead.

Showdown at Williams Creek (1991)

Showdown At Williams Creek - rated.

[9/10 · 4 December 2009]

I consider this a grossly underrated movie. I watched it by chance last night, unaware of its title or possible fame. I was very impressed. Top marks to the Canadian Board for taking the time and effort to bring to the screen a true tale from its 19 century past, and to have such outstanding performers portray their roles so eloquently and with total belief. Burlinson was smack-on as the hard-done-by Irish officer who fell victim to the hazards of British Columbia's gold regime. And though she spoke very little, the innocence and hardship that Michelle Thrush revealed was celebratory. A quiet yet excellent performance. If only there were more films like this.

King of the Forest Rangers (1946)

KING OF THE FOREST RANGERS - recommendation

[8/10 · 21 November 2008]

Of all Republic's serials, I consider this one to be one of the most underrated. The outdoor scenery, the choreographic fist-fights, sharp cinematography, the presence of the beautiful Helen Talbot, and some of the more thrilling chapter-endings in a while help make this opus a highly recommended entry. It was originally meant to be a Mountie serial but for some reason it became a Ranger cliffhanger. The plot concerns the search for a specific Indian rug upon which is the map to hidden treasure. The storyline runs smoothly and inventively, much more effectively than others in a similar genre. Republic were and are always the Lords of the Serials, and this Larry Thompson cliffhanger, directed nobly by the prolific Spencer G. Bennet and Fred Brannon, is a very pleasing effort. Try it!