tomas-842-817258 Reviews

Joker (I) (2019)

Joaquin Pheonix Deserves His Oscar

[18 December 2019]

Mesmerizing. Hypnotic. A dreamworld of mental breakdown. We know Joker is descending into madness, yet the filmmakers make this process new and surprising at every turn.

Phoenix, one of the best actors in Hollywood, has surpassed himself.

My only criticism is the ending. The mental hospital scene derailed the future this movie portends. I would have ended it after the street corner scene where Joker stands on the car and revels in his new-found glory.

Mad About You (1992–2019)

The Last Episode Ruined The Entire Series

[7/10 · 9 March 2019]

This was a great show ruined by a truly horrible series ending.

Here we have the journal of a couple surviving EVERYTHING and keeping their love and marriage intact. Beautiful!

And how do they end it? Bumping into each other in a movie theater after they've DIVORCED, each with a date!!!

They wanted a memorable series finale... They got one. Memorable as the worst.

I think the Newhart series-ender raised the bar so high, everyone wanted to beat it, and a lot of shows just tried anything they could to be shocking.... But shocking isn't good.

Jeeves and Wooster (1990–1993)

The First Two Seasons Are A Masterpiece; 4 and 5, Horrible

[10/10 · 9 March 2019]

This is Steven Fry and Hugh Laurie at their very best. Season One sparkles with fantastic performances and writing, and season two continues that.

BUT, and this is a big BUT, Season Three is misfires spectacularly, and Season Four unwatchable... it's that bad.

A textbook example of how the studio suits can ruin a brilliant work of art.

Get 1 and 2. If you're not hooked after Jeeves cleans Bertie's room, there is no hope for you.

Split (IX) (2016)

Welcome Back, Night

[10/10 · 1 August 2018]

Shyamalan has made so many so-so movies of late, so many bad movies, many were writing him off as a one-hit wonder (The Sixth Sense). Of course, his follow-ups to that, through Signs, are amazing, even if film society doesn't see it that way.

I never lost faith in him. But, I've never been blind to how bad The Happening, The Last Airbender, and After Earth are.

The Visit was such a shock - it was GOOD. Really GOOD. Most people gave it low marks because of the stereotype they had of Night.

And then Split. Wow. I stood up in the theater and clapped. "Welcome back, Night!"

Could this film truly be as good as The Sixth Sense?

No.

It's better.

Killer's Kiss (1955)

Almost - But Not Quite

[2/10 · 1 August 2018]

It's astonishing to know that Kubrick went from this amateurish freshman effort - bested by many film school projects - to become the director of a major Hollywood blockbuster (Spartacus) in only two films; The Killing and Paths of Glory.

That, to me, is the only reason to watch this Killer's Kiss: to understand the breadth of Kubrick's genius.

Sharp Objects (2018)

Don't Miss This One - Amy Adams

[10/10 · 1 August 2018]

In Sharp Objects, Amy Adams has finally solidified her ranking as the best actress of her generation. Looking back through her catalogue, one sees a certain type of character, repeated in new projects with little variance. While her performances were brilliant (Enchanted, Leap Year), one wondered if she was capable of only playing the beautiful princess, regardless of the story.

Then came The Fighter. It was a break against type; but, maybe too strong a break. American Hustle was the first film in which she was able to take on different roles and not look like Amy Adams trying not to look charming, trying to leave the world of the Chick Flick.

Arrival was the first vehicle that allowed her to be someone. To create a character so compelling, so rich in pain and joy, that we sweep along convinced there is no acting involved. As with Dustin Hoffman in Rain Man, Peter Sellers in Being There, Adams' Louise Brooks is real.

And now, Sharp Objects. A woman so broken, so lost, trying desperately to shear herself away from her past demons; she burys herself in her work, in her pain, and in any artificial means that will take the pain away if only for a moment.

Camille is Adams' definitive role. The mystery she is thrust into is compelling. Her acting is breathtaking, and with each episode, we are drawn in - not to resolve the mystery of the murders, but to unravel the mystery of Camille.

Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day (2008)

Amazing

[10/10 · 23 July 2018]

Adams and McDormond are perfect.

OK, this is yet ANOTHER romantic comedy.... same story, different actors. But, because of the skills of the two leads the film glitters.

Both Amy and Francis are able to convey worlds of emotion, communication with just a glance. It's a joy just to watch them at work. And that, to me, is what makes this film amazing.

Give it a shot.

Enchanted (2007)

Giselle Will Steal Your Heart

[10/10 · 23 July 2018]

I fell in love with Giselle the moment she appeared on the screen.

Who is this woman? Why is she so perfect?

I thought about her for weeks. Really.

Fast forward to Arrival. Once again, I fell in love with this beautiful girl.... So, I looked at her filmography. And there it is: Enchanted. Amy Adams. Wow. She's real.

First thing I did was re-watch Enchanted. And, boom, the magic was still there. And then it happened: I became a huge Amy Adams fan.

Her Giselle is truly perfect. Much like Welles in Citizen Kane, Ermy in Full Metal Jacket, Sellers in Being There, It's impossible to imaging anyone else in this role.

I'm not going into the story. Others have done that. But, if you haven't watched this film, you must, if only to see Amy Adams at work. She will steal your heart.

Sharp Objects (2018)

Amy Adams Shows Once Again Why She's The Best Actress in Hollywood

[10/10 · 23 July 2018]

If you've seen any of Adam's earlier works, this one will shock you. Her character is not charming, glowing, sweet and innocent. Her Camille is broken, confused, and in deep pain.

She has to return to her home town to cover a murder for her newspaper. In doing so, she must confront her own past, which is full of abuse, neglect, addiction, murder....

Camille has never properly confronted her past. She has drowned it through work, alcohol, and sexual obsession. Adam's performance is so nuanced, so perfect. She conveys with a glance what most actors cannot with a soliloquy.

The production is spot-on - especially the editing. Camille's past and present collide in quite breathtaking turns - moments sometimes so brief as to seem fleeting.

You'll want to give this multiple viewings... it will take you time to decipher the story, but you will love every minute of it.

Leap Year (2010)

This Deserves More Than It's Getting

[6/10 · 23 July 2018]

I'll be honest: I watched this because of Amy Adams. I've recently become a huge fan, so I've been catching up on her previous stuff.

I loved this. OK, I'm a guy, I'm not into romantic comedies (and, yes, because of that I don't like The Princess Bride). But, Amy is so captivating in this pleasant, little movie, it's hard not to like it.

The story is contrived. Hey, it's a romantic comedy, right? The woman is engaged to a swine, she decides to do something romantic, she goes through mayhem and misfortune achieving her goal, she falls in love with the callous guy who's helping her (who turns out to be the guy she's been waiting for all her live), finally meets up with her boyfriend, finds out he only cares about his job, returns to the guy and lives happily ever after.

Right? That's the model.

Yet, in Amy's hands, her character is completely believable. Even delightful. Adams doesn't phone this one in. She's on the top of her game (as she is in everything she does). I even laughed out loud in some places (and anyone who knows me will tell you that's a compliment).

So, give this one a try. No, it's not Arrival. Nor is it Enchanted. But, it's charming, fun, and you'll fall in love with Amy's character.

Bull (2016–2022)

I Really Wanted to Like This

[2/10 · 7 February 2017]

Both my wife and I are avid NCIS fans, and Weatherly has always been such a dramatic and comedic presence as DiNozzo - and so perfectly played. It was pretty difficult to replace him, both as an actor and a character. (Which is maybe why they got two actors this new season?) So, when Bull came out, we were both very interested to follow Michael to his new gig. We weren't expecting another DiNozzo, but we also weren't expecting a wooden, boring, sheet rock dry Show.

The show's premise is OK. The acting so-so (even from Weatherly), and the writing abysmal. Each episode is exactly like the previous episode. No back story. No drama. The client always wins.... Bull always has this "I'm smarter than everyone else" smirk. And, really, who believes any judge would tolerate his behavior in a courtroom... I haven't seen anything this less plausible since "Alias." Bottom line: boring, mindlessly repetitive, lifeless, and poorly written.

We WERE SO hoping this would be something special. Kinda let down....