mdjr1111 Reviews

Elvis (2022)

I should have read the reviews...

[1/10 · 4 January 2024]

MAN what a let down this movie is! One reviewer hit the nail on the head. A more apt name for this is "(Fake) Col Parker: portrayed horrifically by Tom Hanks"

The looks are wrong, the timeliness of music and history are wrong, the camera work was jarring and gave me a headache, Elvis was portrayed as a simp, and worst of all - I just didn't care.

Of all of the historical aource material, there was absolutely no need to make up things. From the film I gathered that Elvis simply stole entire songs and wrote nothing, but hit fame only because he "wiggled" his pelvis on stage.

Austin Butler did a fine job, Tom Hanks was woefully miscast.

Beast (I) (2022)

I am so dumb - I should have read the reviews first

[2/10 · 18 February 2023]

Extra star for Idris Elba and Sharlto Copley. Negative stars for whomever wrote and directed their idiotic characters. CGI was OK. Not going to win an award, but not horrid either.

The dialog was absurd. I think a grade schoolers book report is more believable.

I was honestly rooting for the lion to take the daughters. There is a bloodthirsty lion trying to eat you all? Perfect time to berate Dad for not being around while Mom died of cancer. Oh they had separated? Still Dad's fault.

I hope the actors were paid a lot, because if I were them, I would rather have my name and image erased from this travesty.

Undercover Holiday (2022 TV Movie)

Ehh.

[5/10 · 9 December 2022]

I like Christmas movies. I just want fun entertainment. I LOVED the portrayal of traditional Hispanic holiday making. The Spanglish, dancing, and dual language songs were great.

Now the singing, however. Most music was fine, but when Jaylen and Abuela were at the piano, wow. Incredibly bad. Better editing would have helped. Wardrobe should have dressed Jaylen for her shape. Some of their choices were not flattering.

And the "soldier" turned private security. #1 if he was in the Navy he was NOT a soldier. #2 if the character had been an actual Navy Seal, he would not have had to mention it so much.

Nothing against either lead, she was very bubbly and fun, and I've seen him in other shows where his character appears to be a better fit. But as far as chemistry, I didn't get it. Didn't see it, either. When they are walking own a sidewalk discussing are we/aren't we, she is holding his flaccid arm. He was not participating, not at all.

The whole Fake Boyfriend trope has been done, and done much better before.

Without Remorse (II) (2021)

Love the book? Skip the movie

[2/10 · 24 February 2022]

Perhaps I would have enjoyed this movie more had I not had the preconceived notion that it was an adaptation of Tom Clancy's book, Without Remorse. The only things it has in common with the novel are a few names and the title. Otherwise, this a whole new story. I always expect Hollywood military movies to screw up many of the military aspects, but Navy Seals would never, ever, ever, ever refer to themselves as a Soldier.

Michael B. Jordan seems bored throughout. Perhaps he is trying to appear strong and stoic? The bored feeling was mutual. I just did not care about these characters. It was rather hard to tell who was who, also, as much of the movie was just so physically dark.

A Match Made at Christmas (2021)

I tried to like this movie

[1/10 · 6 January 2022]

TL...DR: male lead is a bully, female lead is a pushover who enjoys the idea of love, brother and best friend are selfish.

Oh man... I wanted to like this movie, really I did. Cute premise. She is a small-town, super upbeat, optimistic romantic who lives Christmas. He is a big-city realist. Ugh though. Why did he have to be such an jerk to everyone? Oh that's right. His girlfriend dumped him 5 months ago. He had a problematic family life. He was recently fired. All reasons to be curt, rude and downright mean to your best friend's sister and other family and friends, right?

Holly deserves more. She deserves a better family for start. Dad died and Mom was hurt, apparently leaving her unable to work at the family business. Brother Spencer is special and is away at college while Holly stays home running the store. And dreaming of a 2-3 week vacation/travel. Modest dream. Unfortunately Spencer never intended to share in the care of Mom or in running the family business. He is marrying Holly's best friend, who is too "tired" to do anything at all to plan and execute her own wedding. She has Holly after all, who will enjoy doing everything. Bride is not going to use her voice though. "Oh I don't care" until suddenly she's cry/yelling that it is all wrong, even the wedding dress.

Mom blithely allows all of these people to berate Holly.

Now to the "love interest". First he is rude and churlish to the gaggle of women who are gathered, then insults Great Aunt who seems to have magical powers to "match" people. Can't forget he totally humiliates Holly when they stand under mistletoe, when the sharp eyed women tell them to kiss, kiss. "I'm not going to kiss YOU" Dude has serious anger issues.

Even scenes that are probably supposed to be heartwarming were super cringy. Happy smiling people decorated the Christmas tree. Fun loving playful couple throw flour and batter on each other. Cheerful smiling people photograph at the tree farm. (OK that part was cute)

I'm sorry, but family and friends who take advantage of one person's good nature and good will (and all of her travel fund cash!), then blame her when she says anything, are not cool. A romantic interest who shouts, belittles, is rude and ugly, who shouts and appears to attempt to physically intimidate the elderly great-aunt, is not one you want to keep.

I was SO hoping Holly would send him packing when he returned. No need to be with a bully, abuser (certainly mental and possibly physical towards the elderly), gaslighter. There are plenty of good men who would love to share life with a free spirit like Holly. Why did the show writer pull her down? Ugh. No thanks.

Christmas Is Canceled (2021)

Should have read the bad reviews

[1/10 · 27 December 2021]

Well, I certainly wish I had read the reviews prior to watching this.

Christmas movies should be fun, especially if they are advertised as rom-com. This was not. NONE of the main characters had any redeeming qualities. Zero. Creepy pretense of dating your child's peer who grew up literally across the street. Creepy pretense of dating your peer's parent. Spoiled, bratty main character who acts more like a toddler. Couple has been dating for two months, yet the house is filled with frames photos of the two of them.

The jokes fell flat. Promoting drinking party games, 50+ aged men celebrating another dating someone 25 years junior. Secretary neglecting to pass on messages to the boss. Fighting over a crush from 8 or so years ago. Making fun of said crush's life ambition or lack thereof. Lesbian best friend calling heterosexual couples -or maybe just men - breeders.

Positives: the actors did a fine job. Josh and Charlyne were not awful characters.

The Ice Road (2021)

Musical clues

[2/10 · 24 September 2021]

Well. That was certainly an experience... I am extremely glad they had musical clues for suspenseful or hero moments, because without the music I may have just thought this was a comedic farce.

Z Nation: White Light (2015) Season 2, Episode 2

Explosive episode

[8/10 · 19 June 2021]

Explosive episode, but DAYUM! Yes, the writers have given Addy more character development than Mack. Her PTSD a few episodes back, and her giving it all up to stay with the sister-wives does not endear her, in my opinion. Although I know the writers love to kill off characters we are led to believe are main is common, I'd have preferred to see Addy go rather than Mack.

Snow White and the Huntsman (2012)

8 years between viewings...

[4/10 · 26 July 2020]

I saw this movie in 2012 when it came out. The concept is great. The visuals are appealing. Charlize Theron is excellent. Chris Hemsworth and Sam Clafin did fine jobs. Although the people portraying the dwarves gave convincing performances, it bothered me that production didn't use actors who are actually dwarves. And now the elephant in the story. Kristin Stewart. She has the emotional range and facial expressions of a person both heavily medicated and seriously botoxed. The only time her performance was convincing was when she lay 'dead' at the Duke's castle. She has nothing going for her that would possibly explain the adoration of anyone or anything. I know the character of Snow White is the fairest of the fair. Kristin Stewart is not ugly. But is in no way the most beautiful person of any scene in this movie, and will never match Charlize Theron. She was woefully miscast. Honestly even after her resurrection and her inspiring speech, I wonder why anyone would follow such an insipid person.

8 years between viewings, and still the same opinion. This movie would have been 1000% with a beautiful, charismatic actress whose face actually shows emotion in the title role. Still disappointed in that.

Crazy Delicious (2020)

Painful and bizarre

[2/10 · 27 June 2020]

I like the variety of cooking shows currently on the air, I really do. Unfortunately, this show does not fall into that category. The judges are great chefs in their own right, I hope this travesty does not hurt them. Interesting set design, rather absurd concept. Contestants "foraging" for items to cook? Judges called "gods"? It also appears they bring their own supplies to include cookware and jars of ingredients. They are obviously given the "theme" of their show prior to contest time. They are given an obscenely long time to prepare and plate their dishes, and the only sense of urgency is within the last 5-10 minutes. It's amazing to me than one contestant couldn't make ice cream and cones within - I don't remember, either 2 or 4 hours. My favorites two incidences though, occurred in episode 2. One contestant tastes her dish. From the wooden spoon she is stirring with, both before and after her tasting. Another contestant does the splits, placing his hands on the ground, and immediately goes back to cooking. Umm. I want neither another person's SPIT or dirt from the floor in my food! I do not know who the host is, but she must be a huge fan of Mimi from the Drew Carey show. Host adds nothing to the show except for occasionally eating part of the set. Bizarre.

The Wrong Missy (2020)

Wasted Potential

[4/10 · 24 May 2020]

I think the premise is great. Lots of room for comedic genius. I usually like Adam Sandler's productions. This one, though.... reviewers said they laughed out loud throughout the entire movie. Did we watch the same movie? David Spade is not usually so wooden. The female lead was just ... TOO much. Quirky is fun. Uninhibited is fun. Mental instability is not. Had this character reined it down several notches the movie would been better.

Hunters (2020–2023)

Well THAT was a bizarre show

[4/10 · 4 May 2020]

I started this because of two reasons. Incredible cast and intriguing subject matter. However ... what a bizarre show that is suffering from an identity crisis. I know the 70's themselves as a whole was kind of bizarre, but. #1. The ages of the survivors just does not add up. Scene 1, episode 1. Nah that woman looks 25, should be 40-45. #2. The Tarantino / Rodriguez touches were not evenly applied. #3. Why are we told Jonah is a code-breaker, yet he uses this skill very few times? #4. Ruth can spot an old Nazi and recognize him across a busy store and through a window, yet she cannot see the man sorting in front of her is not her child's father??? #5. Why kidnap Joe and bring him to Nazi HQ? #6. Is Rebekka a triple agent? #7. How are all of the bodies disposed of? I admit I kept watching though.

Crossing Lines (2013–2015)

I mourn Seasons 1 and 2 ...

[6/10 · 14 November 2019]

Along with many other reviewers, I loved this show in seasons 1 and 2! Yes. I know this is not the way the ICC works. But I thoroughly enjoyed a multinational team traipsing though Europe. The cast worked. They meshed well. The team in charge of things like ensuring the correct license plates in whichever country they were in, the train routes, the cobbled streets were all correct. (I told friends and family in the U.S. to watch this just to see where I live) Then ... we hit the brick wall of the final episode of season 2, followed by the snore-fest of season 3. I say brick wall because characters we had grown to love were suddenly killed on camera, apparently killed off camera, lost theor mind and forgot how to be a cop, and what happened to Tommy, hmm? Season 3. Where to start. Zero enthusiasm from the new cast members. Were they instructed to act stiff, to sound as if they were reading from a book, and show no emotion? I was much more interested in watching the ice in my drink melt. I can't believe i wasted my time, and still had no series wrap up. I mourn seasons 1 and 2, and mourn what could have been ...