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The Sandman (2022)
Yes, this is DC, but not your regular DC
I knew the comics series before seeing the television show. I didn't think the comics were as perfect as some claim. Some of the artwork was done by people who should have been forbidden to take up a pencil and many of the short stories were just fillers trying to hide a lack of inspiration.
That being said there are some good thing and some bad things in the tv-show. Characters like Morpheus, Desire and Fiddlers Green were spot on. Good job there. I also liked some of the tweeks on the original story. Dokter Dee got the psychological background that was absent in the comics. The Korinthian got the role of a pupeteer trying to keep his creator at bay. The impact of the vortex on the world was explained better.
But there are also some things they shouldn't have done. First of all, season one compromised two comics volumes and consequently two unreleated stories. I noticed a lot of viewers didn't appreciate the rupture. They should have just cut it in two seasons. Moreover, each story arc ended with short stories. I know the relevance of these stories because I know the comics, but for normal tv-viewers that may have been estranging.
And then there are some changes to certain characters. Lucienne bothered me a lot. In the original comic Lucien was a droopy librarian, a slender tall figure with fairytale characteristics who knew his place in the Dreaming. Lucienne did not have the same appeal. They made her behave like a disgruntled wiseacre who made Morpheus look like he didn't know squat. Not exactly the backup support I would be relying on.
Death wasn't a good choice either. In the comics Death is this sparkling rock chick with a certain cool. Death in the tv-show was a generic person without any appeal. They could have done more to make her stand out.
Nevertheless, the tv-series kept true to the original without trying to kling to its weaker points. I would like to see a second season, though, as I understand, Netflix isn't willing to take the risk...
Torpedo (2019)
Fun war movie
When you mention a war movie about a U-boat 'Das Boot' comes to mind. This movie however is more lighthearted as it focusses on the action and the humor. Overall the story was good with all the problems you expect in a U-boat. I was just a bit disappointed with the choice of having a German officer speak English. Most Belgians didn't speak other languages at that time and as Dutch and German are sister languages it didn't make much sense to not have him speak German. The ending was also trying to be a bit too much 'Holywood'-like. It was even trying so hard to be spectacular it lost all credibility. Nevertheless an overall entertaining movie.
30 for 30: Big Shot (2013)
Inventing Spano
I'm not a hockey fan, I'm not even a sports fan, but I do like a good documentary. I accidently came across 'Big Shot' and was surprised by the likeness with another con-story: 'Inventing Anna'. But this story is even the more appealing because the con-man actually did achieve something. Makes you wonder what certain people could achieve if only they had the money...
Archive 81 (2022)
Thriller and horror in one
Though it has all the cliches of the horror genre it still is an appealing series. The starting point where a young man is asked to restore old video tapes is new. Don't think I've seen that before. Of course the tapes harbour a great secret but it's not released from the start. Every episode gives you a feeling of 'the plot thickens'. Of course everything ends like you expected but at least the series keeps you interested until the finale.
Don't Look Up (2021)
This is definitely what is going to happen
This is definitely what is going to happen if a comet was going to hit earth. The scientific message is going to be drowned by political opportunism, the smugness of social media and the greediness of Big Tech companies. A recipe for disaster.
People who rate this movie low are obviously people who expect this to be an 'Armageddon' type of movie. But this is far from a normal disaster movie. This is a satire on all that is happing today: the populism of Trump, the idiocy of social media, the lack of moral of Amazon,... It's a mirror and most likely it's a mirror most people do not want to look into.
Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021)
Entertaining but not special
I remember the 2016 movie 'Answer the call' as a hilarious movie with its own take on the Ghostbusters franchise. Unfortunately it got burned down by people who didn't see it or were set on hating it beforehand.
If I have to compare it with Afterlife, the 2016 movie still stands. Afterlife doesn't have the same wit as Anwer the call. Even worse, halfway the movie my partner remarked during the break: 'There's not much happening.' That just said it all. The movie is entertaining, but it's not spectacular. If it gets good reviews that's mainly because it plays with the nostalgia people have for the original movie.
Nevertheless, a big thumbs up for Grace McKenna who put down a very believable Phoebe. I'd like to see more of the actress in the future.
Red Notice (2021)
Deadpool meets Indiana Jones
The movie doesn't deserve it's bad ratings. It's exactly what it's supposed to be: an entertaining comedy full of jokes and fast paced adventure. Kept me in my seat without losing my attention. I'd love to see a sequel.
Robin Hood (2018)
Fake
This must be one of the worst movies I've seen this year. Everything seems so fake: Moors speaking perfect English, Crusaders running around like American soldiers in Afganistan, a sheriff in a modern vest, a ball that looks like a disco ... None of it gives you the feeling of a medieval setting. And then the story itself: mediocre at best with huge plotholes (eg nobody recognises the big black man with one hand running around in both the company of Loxley and the Hood). If you want to make a movie about Robin Hood you have to either stick to the original story or do an original take on the story. Not just mix some random elements in a bland story like this one.
Boss Level (2020)
Surprising
I didn't expect much of it and was pleasantly surprised. The movie has the right dosis of action and humour and keeps your attention right till the end. Very underrated.
Loki (2021)
You can't have enough Loki's
It's a nice series but not spectacular. It has a lot of slow moments and just when things get up to speed the season ends. It's like they cut the story in half in order to keep the series going.
While watching I kept thinking of the Umbrella Acadamy. It also revolves around a time office that has to keep history in check and it has it's share of silly characters. Not sure if Loki bests that series...
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021)
The bionic gazing machine and goggle man
At first I gave it an 8/10. In my rating system that means: entertaining, keeps my attention, not an awesome plot but not a bad one either.
Then, after having watched it, I started watching it again. That never happens. I never watch a series twice in a row. That means something caught my eye in a way other series don't.
It's not difficult to guess why I ended up loving the series. The interaction between the bionic gazing machine and goggleman is hilarious. It's a dynamic that elevates the otherwise mediocre plot.
Before, I never cared much for the Falcon character. Honestly there isn't much to tell about him and actually there still isn't. As for the Winter Soldier: the movies never did much justice to his horrible background. On top of that I never had much need for the Captain America character to be revived in another form. Now, I would love to see more of them.
Many people take offense to the racial storyline. Honestly I think there's a lot of soul gazing that has to be done here. Don't dismiss it as a theme that doesn't belong in Marvel. Racism is a real thing that needs to be addressed. But those who take the message in the movie as a way to make their wrongs right should also be aware that racism works both ways and doesn't justify every action...
WandaVision (2021)
It's not art, it's just bad story telling
Five minutes into the first episode something happed that had never happend before: the whole family except for me stopped watching. I get that the writers wanted to integrate the evolution of soaps into the series. But if you want to pull this off you better make sure it is either extremely funny or put an intruiging element right there in the beginning. Now it were just a couple of super boring episodes with no interesting plot. It gets better once you get past the first couple of episodes. Only then the actual story begins. But still, the story elements from the first episodes could have just as well been integrated with the later episodes. I'd give it a 5/10 if the story had developped properly after these first episodes but I decided not to. The ending was rather frustrating with ridiculous floating people on wires and all to convenient turnarounds. It could have been worse, but not that much worse.
Lupin (2021)
A bit short
It's an okay series but it feels like it's cut off halfway the season. The story stops before the plot really develops. Moreover it suffers from bad script writing. If you want to make a series about a kick-ass burgler you shouln't let him do stupid things (like accidently giving away your identity to the cop you've kidnapped). Luckily there's Omar Sy's flair that makes up for all the flaws.
The Movies That Made Us (2019)
Funny
I'm not a fan of either movies but the humourous narration makes the documentary worth watching. It's full of fun facts and hilarious interviews. It's a pitty the documentary only features two movies. I would have loved to see more.
If you liked this documentary you should also definately see 'the toys that made us' and 'the movies that made us'.
Ultraman (2019)
MIB meets Power Rangers
The story itself is ok and the fight scenes splendid. Unfortunately the series is packed with cliches: the exagerated movement of the characters, the yelling during normal dialogues, the love intrest,... Those cliches make you go: really? Can we grow up now?
Battlestar Galactica (2004)
One of the best scifi shows
When the reboot originally aired, we left off halfway season 3 due to reasons unrelated to the show. Now that the show was picked up again by Amazon we watched all four seasons. Despite the years that have passed the series still feels very fresh and original. You hardly notice it's that old. The only minus is that the role Gaius and Caprica6 played in the bigger picture wasn't very meaningful in the end.
Star Trek: Picard (2020)
A bit more up to date
At first I didn't want to see the series. I thought it would be a retake of the old TNG series with its one-episode stories and flat characters.
Let's face it: Star Trek TNG is outdated. It was hyped by its worshippers for tackling world issues. But in these modern age you know human relations are more complicated than how they were depicted in TNG. Moreover important issues aren't handled with the ease you see in TNG.
Of course Sar Trek: Picard also ends with its kumbaya ending. But frankly, the rest of the series makes it digestable. You start with a detective, a puzzle that needs solving. The story keeps you wondering what will happen in the next episode. That alone already makes it more modern that the original series.
Patrick Stewart's cracked voice needs a bit getting used to. The actor is getting old and you notice it. Of course he's a great actor but that doesn't mean it's credible to have a man of his age running around and fighting the way his character is.
Nevertheless it's nice how they didn't do a retake on the old concept and tried to make it more realistic. Does it succeed completely? No. Most characters are still a bit one-dimensional and the ending is all too simple. But still, an enjoyable show in its totallity.
Ghostbusters (2016)
Some dinos should stop clinging to their childhood
I admit: when I first heard the new Ghostbusters' movie was going to be with a female cast I was like 'Huh? Why change a winning team?' But then I saw the movie and it was hilarious. I don't know what I liked the most: the little winks to the old movies, 'dumb blond' Chris Hemsworth or goofy Kate McKinnon. This was a comedy just liked it's supposed to be, with original characters and a lighthearted plot. I loved the interaction between the four Ghosbusters and nothing felt like it was a flat copy of the original.
Honestly, I'm ashamed for these people who decided beforehand not to like this movie and trash it even after seeing it. These are people who are set on thinking women can't be funny and who are trying to relive their childhood experience with the old movie. Well guess what: the past is over and if you would be the age your are now and saw the original again in the eighties you wouldn't like it anymore.
The new Ghostbusters is up to speed with modern times. Live with it.
De Collega's 2.0 (2018)
Undervalued
As a child I found 'De Collega's' slow, repetitive and banal. Needless to say, I wasn't waiting for a nostalgic reboot of the series. Eventually I was forced to watch the film and much to my suprise I laughed from start to finish.
Rogue One (2016)
Really?
Really? Another Star Wars movie involving the Death Star? Aren't we done recycling plot elements yet? So if the plot isn't very ingenious, what about the characters? They are definately not one-dimensional as they are all flawed. Too much flawed even because one is even more dislikeable and depressing than the other. And what's with the cgi-characters? This movie is all about bringing nostalgia to life. Unfortunately with bad cgi which makes the characters look like plastic.
Seinto Seiya: Knights of the Zodiac (2019)
No, no, no
I thought it was a great opportunity to introduce my ten year old son to this cult series. He couldn't even get through episode one. Nuf said.