Change Your Image
martymoves
Reviews
The Penguin: Cent'Anni (2024)
So much to say
I'n going to hit the nail right on the head and move on.
I absolutely hated the choice of actor for Don Falcone. Off the top of my head: Kim Coates would have been a fantastic choice; if not for the eternal, AND PROPER dark element of DC, but he is far too animated. HOWEVER, would still have been a hundred times f'in better than this guy; even though he is above and beyond for this role..remember, in this series: less is more, and it is majestic. That's a compliment, by the way.
BUT
The episode itself was fantastic as usual. Farrel and Miliotti play their roles perfectly. You find yourself wanting to cheer for both of these scumbags. Its true..they're both criminal trash, but we love them anyway.
Incredible writing. Great direction and the impeccable delivery of the dialogue from every single actor in this episode is... well, flawless.
The conditioning of giving us this backstory after the cliffhanger of the last episode is absolutely gratuitous to us, as a viewer.
The utmost respect to the directors and writers of this episode. The acknowledgement of questions we wanted answers to, are given and fully eplained in this episode.
(And if it needs to be explained, its the regard in which Sophia is held, prior to her time in Arkham, but i'm hoping for intelligent readers here. As well as the bond between she and her brother; which I suspect we will see much more of in the episodes remaining in this season)
Yet another stellar episode that secures this as one of the best shows of the year, and probably (definitely) the best new show of the year.
The entertainment value of this series supercedes anything I could have asked for.
A 10/10 episode, but i'm giving a 9/10 because of the horrible mis-cast of Don Falcone. For the impeccable quality of this series, I can not ignore how horribly mis-cast this role was.
They dropped the ball big time. But still, a 9 out of 10. Mad respect to this series. Another display of the graphic intensity that is DC. Everything else pales in comparison to the authenticity of DC.
Only The Walking Dead has previously captured the dark necessities that a show like this requires. Absolutely incredible. Also Theo Rossi brings that element of light in a dark place. He has always been fantastic at that. Such an insanely well cast role.
Unlike Don Falcone. What a massive screw up.
The Bear: Apologies (2024)
Well its about time
Well its about time.... for several, several things in this series. Buuuut like any sense of direction, plot, continuity between and/or actual storyline(s) in this series, its just not going to happen.
No, what i'm referring to is something much more simple. Which is of course miss Gillian Jacobs. Its about bloody time they added somone with some personality to save this train wreck of a series, if only for a portion of an episode.
I mean this show is bad, brutally bad. The only thing i've wanted is to see more of Ms. Jacobs and here we FINALLY have it.
It was underwhelming with pointless dialogue, but she does a fantastic job of playing to an otherwise detatched partner. As I've said before, NOBODY in the main cast has a fart of chemistry between them.
Fun fact: The science and chemistry behind a fart, is still more appealing than the angry then pretentious dialogue of this series.
Also more entertaining than pointing out to people who can't use 'then' and 'than' properly in a sentence... or at all, it would seem.
..... The Bear. (Sic)Its on TV! ....(?)
I'll pause for laughter of all kinds now. Til next episode.
The Bear: Ice Chips (2024)
Yeah, okay, we get it
First off, I've known how good Jamie Lee Curtis is of an actress for years, because i've actually seen her work.
While she knocks it out of the park here, its incredible how the pathetic fans of this show can so easily ignore AAAAAALLLLLL the character traits which seem to drift in-and-out of existence.
Yes, she crushes it, but the whole time i'm trying to figure out the how, why, when, whaaaaaat? Whoooo?
The likelihood of nobody answering their phones is ABSOLUTELY ZERO. This show flip-flops all the time, then they add pointless, selfish scenes in there to compensate for their lack of continuity, by manipulating an already weeeeaaaaak and pathetic audience; who for some reason still find this pointless drivel interesting and/or entertaining.
The episode was once-again, pointless. Somebody gonna tell me whose gonna do the accounting now? Put out the fires; since all anyone does is argue and yell in this crapfest.
Did ANYBODY in the "fans" out there acknowledge any of the SEVERAL PLOT HOLES in this episode? ...No? Not one of you?
Yeah, but Jamie Lee killed it so, it was a great episode, right? WRONG.
It was a great performance from another poorly written (gotta be a worse superlative, horrificaly bad seems much better) episode, that served NO PURPOSE and only further shows how unlikable almost everyone in this entire show is and always has been.
Womp womp womp. Such traaaaash.
The Bear: Children (2024)
Who???
Who is this person and why are they talking?
I'm fairly certain that this episode was a literal depiction of what was going on in the board room when they decided to axe this show.
Yea folks, its true. They cancelled this show, then retracted their statement. This whole episode i'm willong to bet was re-shot specifically for that reason and they thought:
Hey, this would make for a great episode. Nobody will know why, or why we did it, but its all a self-i dulgent crapfest; accompanoed by the absolute worst lead actress we could find, so you know, why not?
That pretty much sums up thos entire series so far? That sounds like an incredibly pointless episode/season/series, should we make it.... why not!?
Oh, and if you're going to throw in musoc and what-not, just for the sake of people being from Chicago.... what's wrong? You couldn't get CM Punk so you got John Cena in one of the most pointless appearances (I use pointless alot when describing this drivel as it really is pointless)
I have ever seen.
And i'm dead serious? Could you literally NOT get CM Punk, or were you worried that he would fit in too well and do a good job, so out of nowhere you have John Cena make an appearance with absolutely ZERO explanation.
What was the point of the scene with the photographer? I DEMAND an explanation for that garbage? No amount of explaining will ever exploit the truth though: that they had NO IDEA WHAT THEY WERE DOING.
The Bear: Violet (2024)
Pfffttt
So, the writers have apparently given up on trying to tell a story an as a result we have this latest pile of steaming garbage.
How was this show ever nominated for so many awards. This Ato, whatever her name is has to be one of the absolute worst actressess I have ever seen.
HORRIBLY MIS-CAST. Whoever is responsible for this, has to be the reason why they gave up writing....right? I mean she's just awful. Beyond awful. I haven't seen anybody this bad since.... i honestly can't remember, it'll come to me.
But here we are with more pointless... D stories? E stories? I mean i thought the entire B story of the show was (aside from having almost no A story) a continuous stream of backstory epusodes that nobody wanted or asked for.
Another was of time. Why did they even bother filming this episode?
The Penguin: Bliss (2024)
Damn
Just when you think this series is taking you in one direction, when you think there may be some calm, then BAM! BOOM! POW! No you don't.
We see some backstory begin to evolve here and give us some insight to our favourite driver.
What's really interesting is seeing Oz try to juggle all these angles while still maintaining his (less than) upstanding appearance.
The way things unfold here and further backstory is hinted at, without revealing too much (or anything at all) really sets the tone for things to come.
We see where certain loyalties are in this episode with an incredibly suspenseful finish that only raises more questions.
As I said in my review of episode one, the paths ahead are many and this episode leaves us an indelible amount of guesswork.
A cliffhanger and its not even mid-season yet? If this show wasn't written so well i'd be afraid the quality might drop off. But I sincerely doubt that.
Yet another banger for The Penguin.
Ep.3
Entertainment Value 10/10
Overall Rating 10/10
Can't wait for the next episode. Things are really heating up.
The Penguin: Inside Man (2024)
The train kept a'rollin'
Episode 2 is fraught with intensity, guesswork and trepidation, as we see our favourite villain web his schemes.
Outstanding performances all around. As with the debut, gripping with emotion and suspense.
Colin Farrel has to be a guaranteed nomination for an Emmy. Never before have we seen a character with such a lack of charisma, but absolute scene stealing empowerment; the epitome of class, since Walter White or Tony Soprano.
This is sheer perfection at its best. The ultimate in entertainment, for the educated mind.
I am so enthralled with this series. Its natural to take a step back from the debut, that's the big one, and the next shouldn't come until the finale.
However this episode keeps it rolling from Ep.1 and shows necessary character development, with rugged, unapologetic indescretion.
Bare in mind, The Penguin is the bad guy. We shouldn't be rooting for him. But nobody seems to be the "good guy" here, which makes it so easy for us to get lost in 'The Penguin's' world.
I love it. Because much like the aforementioned White & Soprano, they WERE indeed, the bad guys, that we somehow found ourselves rooting for.
This truly is storytelling at its finest. Locked in after 1 episode, lost in it after 2. Anticipating the changes to come in episode 3. This show is contagious and everyone should feel its infection.
I cannot voice enough my pleasure at watching this series. Also, the continuity from "The Batman" to this series is very evident, and I appreciate that so much.
I only hope they don't mess with the films that defects the storylines here. Because this is a series that could go 3 or 4 seasons, all pending on how the next film is written.
So I am going to enjoy this show while its here, whether its 1 season or 10.
Its just so good so far, and if you're reading this there's a good chance you'll agree also.
Episode 2
Entertainment Value 9/10
Overall Rating 9/10
Can't wait for the next episode.
The Penguin: After Hours (2024)
Classic
If there was ever hope that storytelling after The Sopranos and Breaking Bad would return, here it is.
This first episode had me locked in from start to finish. The many layers it slowly unravels opens so many doors for these storylines and scenarios to be unveiled.
I have never been so satisfied with a pilot as I have with this episode, in several years, and many attempts.
This captures the rawness and dark elements of what makes DC so surreal and ominous yet so emotionally impactful.
I can't say enough about how blown away I am by all the performances. The cast makes me anxious for another episode because it truly seems that they have got it right, and that is a lasting affect.
The setting is brilliant. The colour schemes that MAKE it Gotham. The tiny nuances and appreciations that they give us, the viewer, has me beaming and thriving with respect.
I have to reitterate what a great job was done by the casting department as well as the cast themselves. Everything here just seems to click.
The perfect elements and the right amount of everything at just the right time, to tie you in emotionally. Its downright gripping.
I am ridiculously excited for the next episode.
Very, very few shows have ever left me with such anticipation after the first episode. And this one seems to do it so effortlessly, but that is the magic of all that was put into this affair.
(Just an example of some shows that had incredible debuts/pilots and went on to become some of the most intense and revered shows in television history: the aforementioned The Sopranos, Justified, The Shield, Breaking Bad, The Americans, The Walking Dead, and all these shows went on for several seasons and absolutely crushed it. The Penguin is next on the list of greats, bank on that)
Heist (2015)
Í enjoyed it
You know why I enjoyed this film? Because i didn't sit around and look for every plot hole or error made. I decided to just watch it and see how things unfolded.
Yeah, there were some errors, sure. Most films have them, I could care less.
JDM delivers a typically awesome performance. DeNiro is a little sub par but, he was likely phoning it in, as at this time he was doing a lot of nothing in films. No big budget pictures, just some low key stuff. He does typical gangster De Niro like he does, but medicore.
Pretty much everyone delivers to be honest. It was a fun watch. The thing I enjoyed the most about this heist movie, was not having to sit through the pretentious heist itself. It focused on all the other parts which are generally neglected or given the easy ending. This was an hour and change of the ending, which is far better than most of the horrible heist films that get made.
I found it to be enjoyable, because I took the time to enjoy it. An absolutely solid cast with a little bit of everything. Yes, it stretches the imagination but if you think films like Oceans 11 are believable then you're already an idiot and your criticisms aren't needed nor asked for.
Entertainment Value 6.5/10
Overall Rating 7/10
A fun movie if you just sit back and watch, with great performances from the entire cast. Can't really ask for more than that.
If you want something more, go watch Casino. Because this aint it. Don't ask for more than what it is. Also realising i watched this film years ago and probably wrote a review for it then that typical imdb removes.
Reservation Dogs: Deer Lady (2023)
1 every season
This show has been quite good so far, but found this episode bore absolutely nothing to the plot. Fantasy revenge porn comes to mind.
For once i'd like to watch a show that doesn't push an agenda. This is supposed to be a comedy. A dark comedy at that.
But the vicious murder that takes place in this episode had no bearing on the storyline. This did not push the current storyline of Bear trying to get home.
It was a gratuitous episode that would have fared better had it been a completely separate and standalone story.
The fact is, the more information that comes out about these agendas, the less I start to believe. People need to take some responsibility for what they put out there.
This was NOT the outlet for it. I feel sick after watching this episode. Nothing comical about it.
The lack of presentation makes this a damning and dangerous episode. You can't present a story like this so carelessly. Absolutely shameful. Modern day porn on television.
Very disappointed with the direction this show has taken. A severe lack of comedy stretching from the mid-end of season 2. A bunch of episodes that look like they belong on the syfy network.
There is a time and place for everything, and the placement here is grossly inappropriate. Very disappointed. Same with episode 2 of this season. Better suited on the syfy network. Its lost all direction. No wit or humor remains.
The Crow (2024)
Why bother
To say that I was disappointed by this film would be an understatement. If they were going to remake the television series for a millenial generation, this might have flown with the uneducated masses; who never bother to check or educate themselves as to where their media (film, television, music) comes from.
This was a monstrous let down. A continuous dragging of the body across a wasteland of fruitless dialogue and unfulfilling, meaningless events.
A convoluted approach to a very simple story. Even as a standalone concept it was pointless with almost no direction. Storytelling at its worst.
The character development left you confused, unappreciative and unappreciated as a viewer.
I truly don't have all the words to describe this mess.
Bill S. Is usually fantastic in everything. His character seemed to unconventionally change in every aspect throughout the course of this disaster.
FK Twigs was a horrible choice, but I guess they needed to make sure they checked off some boxes. Maybe not signing someone up for a role who looks like a 12 year old, might have gone over better.
The obvious age difference between the two was evident, as there was zero chemistry there. Huston does a good job with a garbage script, very unfortunate. Bill S. Is usually great with his delivery but he sounded like he was channeling about 4 different people throughout the entire picture.
The supporting cast was pretty horrendous. The one guy who tries to save Shelly at the club did a good job. I honestly don't care to learn their names. Better for everyone if its forgotten that they contributed to this unnecessarily convoluted mess.
I thought The Crow 4 was bad, but even that film had some sort of direction compared to this. (I can't begin to tell you how much it hurts to have to say that)
This abomination should be long forgotten immediately after viewing. After years of anticipation and all the talk of "wanting to do it right". "Right" for whom, exactly? Certainly not fans you were supposed to be making this for.
Another check-the-boxes pile of garbage that dragged out every wrong and negative aspect of itself for far too damn long.
What a waste of time. If you're a fan of any of the content that preceded this, its quite simple:
DO - NOT - WATCH
Entertainment Value 2/10
Overall Rating 3/10
You tried. You failed. Kindly bugger off. You couldn't pay me to watch this again.
Supernatural: The Benders (2006)
WoW! Nostalgic before I ever saw it
So I am watching this series for the first time after several reccomendations from unrelated persons over a near 20 year period.
This is the first episode review i have written and i'll tell you why:
The Bakers.
That's right, NOT The Benders, but The Bakers. Anyone know what I mean yet?
I realise that I am nearly 20 years late to this party, but nearly a little more than a decade after this episode, came something else entirely.
I'm a big horror fan, but more than that I'm a horror video game fan. Namely, the Resident Evil series. That absolute likeness of this to the plot of Resident Evil 7 is uncanny.
The Bakers house looks just like The Benders. It was the very first thing that popped into my mind. The design of that house vs. The one in the game.
It blew my mind!
I don't know of this is sheer happenstance or if this somehow served as a reference or influence in some way. I just thought it was ultra cool to see the likeness.
I guess this isn't a review of the episode so much as it is a mindblowing commentary on what I have just seen.
All in all it was a good episode. Took away from the supernatural demonic theme and gave us a taste of a different kind of evil.
The "Residents" of this house bare clear similarities to that of the Bakers, but the layout of the home, unless this is a traditional home style for that region, has an insane likeness.
I'm quite enjoying the series and wish I had of been able to watch it when it first debuted. 15 seasons is a lot to catch up on.
Perhaps you are like me, watching this for the first time, are a fan of horror/games, saw this episode and were pleasently surprised.
I've seen some negative reviews for this episode, but bear one thing in mind: This series was aimed at young crowd. There is only so much you are allowed to do to keep it within the rating that the network will approve, and edited down to the time slot from week-to-week.
I'd focus more on appreciating their ability to cram what they can, heavy editing et all, week after week. Keeping us entertained and finding new ideas.
Now this show ran for 15 seasons so they must have been doing something right. Who cares if its deemed "cliché", there's only so much you can work with.
Just enjoy it man. I still give this episode a solid 8 (A 9 actually for the nostalga effect). If it were a 2-Parter, people would just make the same complaint, that its just a short-form horror flick.
I'd rather enjoy it than sit and complain. But clearly they did something right, seeing as there are vast similarities to this episode and the scariest game ever played RE7; at least up until that point in time, and i'm sure countless scores of people already agree. Just like anyone i've ever talked to who has played that game (VR, anyone?)
I was entertained, i'm sure you will be too. Give it a watch, the series is quite good so far.
Disquiet (2023)
Disapointing
This film starts off well, but loses its way rather quickly. The script/dialogue left much to be desired.
The premise/concept could have been sometbing special. A very cool idea with very poor execution.
I wonder if this film would have been better had it been granted a bigger budget, but for some reason I feel it would have only been an enhanced variation of the same missed-mark.
I think that had this been re-written and edited a little better, the concept would have succeeded in a much more beneficial & clearer fashion.
I really wanted to like this film but it just didn't do it for me. The ending only raised further questions.
Again, had it been re-written, perhaps it would serve better as a series, however heavy-handed and convoluted the plot may be.
Entertainment value 3.5/10
Overall Rating 3/10
Too many teases in this film, alluding to something that may or may not happen, and simply does not.
As I said, perhaps had been better served as a series. A lot to unpack and not enough time or budget to deliver. Disappointing.
The Deuce (2017)
Not bad
I saw this series recently and thought it was pretty decent. Things don't start to make sense in the grand scheme of things until season 2.
Anyone familiar with the cast will catch the more than obvious connection to this. The whole age-gap thing seemed to contrived, and seeing as this isn't a teeny bopper or high-school program, there had to be reasons for this.
The series tumbles along, with as much nostalgia and time-era contributions as is necessary, however there is one major flaw.
As with any series made today that references a past time period, it is always absirdly hypocritial from the narrative they force-feed you.
Maggie'a character was cute in season one. Arrogant as hell in season 2 and pretty much unbearable in season 3.
The difference? The narrative, always the narrative. Telling a story is one thing but when you are force-feeding the audience your perogative (and that's putting it ightly) its leaves a very stale and unhealthy taste in your mouth.
After season one I thought all the uncomfortable bits were to give it authenticity. Turns out it was just really bad emphasis on the wrong aspects; to give shock value over quality.
While it does deliver on realism, it is lacking in so many areas. The continuity and constantly trying to figure out who fits in where an with whom, was a headache.
I could go on but I won't.
All in all it was a decent series, and Franco does a great job at the dual roles, even if it did become annoying, in reference to the aforementioned, who the hell he was from one scene to the next.
Its a murky and graphic series that does have a lot of character development, but not a lot of synchronicity. Lots of shock moments, and not altogether too predictable either.
Entertainment Value 8/10
Overall Rating 8.5(8)/10
Worth a watch, but I think i'd rather have seen 3 seasons of Vinyl instead of this. Still enjoyed it though, for the most part.
Carnivàle (2003)
So was is budget cuts or...what?
I must say, a series like this is very rare. Every episode a banger. Concurrent and overlapping storylines; that are not convoluted and unravel at their own pace.
The storytelling here is incredible. The balance of screen time as well as dialogue, shared by the entirety of the cast is truly something to behold.
Thoroughly enjoyed every episode, but the lingering question by most fans is: Why?
Why did they not bring it back for a 3rd and (potentially) final season?
I can understand not-wanting the show to go stale, but the cliffhanger ending, the absolute possibilities. They could have signed on for at least another season/16 Episodes and given a truly deserved, for both the entire cast & crew, as well as us fans, a noble and respectable ending we could all enjoy.
Alas, this is almost definitely never going to happen. Despite this, the show was one of the most intricate, detailed and just incredibly entertaining series I have ever seen.
Also the cast is absolutely perfect. Everybody was selected with a finite care and they all do such an incredible job. The costume and makeup departments make you feel like you are literally in the 1930's.
You honestly couldn't ask for more.
Entertainment Value 10/10
Overall Rating 9/10
20 years later and i'm viewing it for the first time on a recommendation from a close friend, whose opinion I value greatly. I was NOT disappointed. You wont be either. Give it a watch.
Mare of Easttown: Miss Lady Hawk Herself (2021)
First take
I read up on this series a bit before deciding to watch, as I do with most material these days. I've just watched the first episode and it definitely.has potential, however
The doom & gloom and overall depressing atmosphere, doesn't really draw me in. It actually gives me anxiety. If this whole thing is going to.be like this, they could have at least made it a dark comedy.
Kate Winslet is great and the rest of the cast here (and those still to come) were a big part od why O decided to tune in.
I'm hoping that there is more to the story than "we live in some backwater town and life sucks". The clichès afoot, i'm okay with, so long as it goes somewhere. Maybe if it took place in the 90's (and spare us checking off the boxes which, guaranteed in this town, would not apply!!! Utterly unrealistic)
But despite the overwhelmingly forced narrative, which could have settled in naturally, we got a self-served depiction, and a lot of what could have been.
A lot to dislike about the story so far, but the parts are acted well. But when you're dealing with youth of today, you have to expect a lot of dumbass rhetoric. So who wrote this garbage?
A guy is letting his baby moms get beat down by his new girl? Where's the baby at? And then little miss fill-in-the-box has the dead givaway haircut, but no baby. As I assume it was the dead son's baby. And I am merely guessing as I have absolutely no idea if she even had a son (but i'm gonna guess i'm 100% right)
Despite all the flaws, the many flaws, I see what they were trying to do here. The solid performances all around save the episode, but it wont be enough to save the series if the rest of it is as ludicrous and ridiculously uneasy and far-fetched as this episode was.
Entertainment Value 7.5/10
Overall Rating 7.5(7)/10
I had originally intended to give this episode an 8/10, but the ending was confusing and quite frankly, poor writing. The convenience of driving the plot was just another poorly timed clichèd moment.
Unless of course episode 2 starts off with a total anti-cliffhanger moment. Lets find out.
Smile (2022)
All New Creepy Level
What to say about a movie, in which its title is the last thing you want to do while watching.
"Smile" has taken it to new levels of creepiness. Forget horror, *This* should be the brand from now on. The new gold standard.
I loved this film, flaws and all. The cast was great and surprisingly notable. The sheer authenticity of it all encapsulated raw feelings and emotions.
I feel that negative reviews, especially those "critics" who are published by trash outlets, made meager comparisons to other films, just to downplay it (while those films were notoriously successful) and pointed out nothing at all about the actual film itself, as they couldn't muster any words.
Lowest common denominator. Pathetic critique. Smile! (Yeah, you know you get it)
This film brought something new and missing from the genre. While it is hard to be original in a world where everything has been done, and then done again, this film delivers on a new type of scare.
The incredibly acted parts brought a level of realism to it, that you find yourself pensive toward the next scene. It did become a little choppy towards the end. Endings are typically the hardest thing to do (and do well) in a good film.
Most films that are reverse-engineered are obvious and saturated and a boring writing process, with the films generally always predictable and annoying as hell.
"Smile", as I said, was a breath of fresh air. Running away from the pack. I had first seen it advertised significantly well before the films release.... and then it was suddenly gone. Then it popped up in theatres, and just like that, it was gone again.
To think if this was some mass marketing strategy like they did with the pepople in the crowd at public events, but sadly it was not.
I was glad to see this pop up on a streaming service, and then to my dismay, had one of the shortest life spans of any film i've ever seen, being pulled just a few months after its debut.
This whole disappearing act has become a nuisance. So i'd suggest if you're able to, watch this film before it disappears again.
Entertainment Value - 7.5/10
Overall Rating - 7.5(7)/10
If you like cool, dark, creepy movies, this one checks all the boxes. Honestly, try to look at those smiling faces and not cringe or feel creeped out.
The title may be "Smile", but that is the last thing you will be doing. I genuinely enjoyed watching this film. If you're a fan of horror/thriller, I think you will too.
The Signal (2014)
Oldschool Weird
So this was a strange one. While you never really know what's going on, you seem to be able to fumble along with the film.
To be honest, the film doesn't go anywhere, as is the point i'm sure. Its difficult to explain without giving anything away.
There's a decent cast, most of whom are quite young in their careers at this point and to date, have gone on to do big things.
Obviously Laurence Fishburn has been around a while, clearly i'm not referring to him. He does do a cool, approachable yet menacing character quite well. Think Morpheus, but decides Not To explain anything to Neo. That pretty much sums up his role in this film. Its quite cool actually.
The film does have its moments of suspense and leaves you asking constant questions and wondering just what on Earth is going on here. But that essentially is the point.
Its done in a very 1970's style, and a lot of it, the way it is shot and the addition of certain events, places and things are given to detail an intentionally retro vibe.... in 2014... and here I am in 2024. Gotta be a time loop somewhere.
All in all it wasn't bad, but far from really good. The premise was interesting, the cast did an alright job, not sure if it played to their strengths or not, but it was entertaining.
The unnecessary flashbacks were incoherent and annoying. There were several scenes I had to replay because I was certain I missed something, or the story continued without anything to actually drive the plot along. Again, insanely annoying and piss poor editing.
Entertainment Value 6/10
Overall Rating 6/10
The ending somewhat saves this mess of a film. A genuinely good idea but very shabby writing & delivery and tacky editing kill it from the better piece of work it could have and almost certainly would have been.
If you dig Sci-Fi with a retro vibe, give it a watch. Its a serious slow-burn.
A Family Thanksgiving (2010)
Christmas for Thanksgiving
So this is where it gets a little weird for me. Ordinarily I can not stand movies like this. That happy horse dung that they force-feed you from W or hallmark networks.
This came on tv by chance (NOT on one of those networks I might add. I wouldn't be caught dead watching that) I went for a shower and came back and it was on the screen. The film is essentially a remake of "The Family Man" starring Nicholas Cage, and I absolutely love that film.
I'm not a sucker for holiday films like most people, and I especially hate thanksgiving. Absolutely hate the fake holiday that people use an excuse to gorge themselves and give in to disgusting practices. (Because nothing says "thanks" like gluttony)
Despite that, I've enjoyed Daphne Zuniga in things past and made me nostalgic for the good days of television when even the trash was conceptual and entertaining (Melrose Place, anybody?)
So I gave this film a try and it was decent. It has a lot more substance than the other crap that just preys on the weak and soft to make an easy buck.
Nothing will ever replace "The Family Man", its one of very very few "holiday films" that I can or will tolerate. So this film sat well with me, with a very understanding yet heartwarming appeal and didn't try to oversell like the cookie cutter approach to most made-for-tv garbage.
If this can win even a hardened person like me over, it probably deserves a watch.
The acting is quite simplistic but it doesn't feel forced either. I appreciate that we are viewing what seem to be normal people. Not characters filling a void to parlé along a storyline.
The ending is about as typical as you could expect. But how could it be any other way. I laughed, of course. But it wasn't to be cynical, it was more of letting go and embracing the innevitable.
Naturally in life we can't go back and change things. I think this is a testament to people's complacency and uninspired lifestyles. But also shows that there is more to life than only what you deem or make important.
A concept that is utterly lost on society today. Which is why "Thanksgiving" is such a sham of a holiday. Self-gratifying for your own selfish endeavours, while this film depicts the exact opposite.
What could, and what should be. Often times are one in the same, but seldom ever occur. This was a nice breath of fresh air from the phony garbage people deem "important" today. Your agenda isn't important, ethics and morals are.
This film will teach you that.
A nice little film with a much bigger heart.
I give this a 6.5 out 10. Rounded up to a 7, which is the highest rating i can possibly give to this type of film. So for all intents and purposes, its a 10 for tv.
Superhero Movie (2008)
Why?
Its basically a shot-for-shot remake of spiderman with a few twists. The severe lack of humor, when present, is all over the place.
I laughed at 2 scenes, but not in their entirety. You kind of just hope the movie gets on with it and goes somewhere.
It does not.
Its random as random can be. Throwing a whole bunch of crap together and calling it a movie, even a "'movie' movie", which in and of itself is a pathetic notion used by dismal characters, it falls flat.
Its a shame when you have such a decent cast, and you can't produce anything of subtance. Is that asking too much from this... i'm not calling it a franchise. That's like giving credit to rappers and "r&b singers" who steal music from everyone and then calling them "an artist".
This is a contrived pile of garbage from start to finish, which fails to deliver any decent laughs, while arrogantly trying to portray itself as passable for a decent film.
The cluelessness is only emcompassed by the stars of this film, whom I assume already had bloated ego's, and the constant rotating cast was due to nobody being able to work with them.
Legendary Leslie Nielsen is a bright spot and Kevin Hart does what he does. Although i was never a fan of the over-the-top humor he provided in any of these movies, some people tend to enjoy it, and he does what he does well.
There are some funny spots with appearances with from Pamela Anderon and Tracy Morgan. But outside of that, nothing.
The two leads appear as wooden and unbelievable in any aspect. The sillyness and ludicrous antics that made films like Scary Movie 1 &2 (and to a lesser extent 3) funny, were completely lost on this film.
Not as abhorrently awful as scary movie 4, but only slightly better by comparison.
If they never made another one of these again, it would be too soon.
If you want to make a spoof movie correctly, take a look at "Not Another Teen Movie". 20 years later and its still hillarious.
This was just a shallow and lazy piece of work, save only for some veterans of the screen; sporadically throughout.
I'm giving a more than generous 4. The jokes are boring, predictable and played-out. 2 awful leads, but when you look at the production company and see that Disney was so heavily involved, it all makes sense.
A terrible joke of a script. If the 2 leads had been merely focal points to every other story, that would have been a convoluted mess that might have been funny.
Entertainment Value 2.5/10
Overall Rating 3.5(4)/10
Not really entertaining at all. But some great supporting actors make it bearable and save us from the abysmal performance of the 2 leads.
The movie comes to fruition by letting us know it was just a launching pad to get 2 poorly written songs off by the 2 leads. Apparently its all Disney, all the time, and they are to be taken seriously?
I see a plethora of issues with this film, its amazing no law suits were filed. I think for all involved it was probably best to forget this ever existed.
Side Effects (2013)
Sleep Dreaming... or something to that effect
I came to this party a bit late. This film was released in 2013 and here I am in 2024. None the less, as enjoyable now as it was back then i imagine.
I am sort of glad I had not seen this before seeing some of Steven Soderbergh's later work. A lot of it is relevant to the times and some of far greater importance to instances not yet become the social norm as far as the conversation goes.
Much of his work has a very psychological aspect to it, often redefining perspectives and opinions, or perhaps engaging in those that have yet to be properly extracted from ourselves.
While this film tackles a number of things, it is the engaging and ever unfolding storyline that keeps us in check and watching, of course.
Jude Law is stellar as always and Rooney Mara delivers a thought-provoking performance that may truly capture things unknown. I imagine this role was significantly harder to protray than seeming, at first glance.
For those that foray into the psyche of an individual, and then to put yourself into something and someone so damaged or corrupted, to display it with a level of honesty, not necessarily sincerity. Because that would make you a sociopath, or it could make you the greatest actor of all time.
Point in case.
That is essentially the story behind the story here. There are certain complexities that the mundane can't or won't see fit to actualise. Much of Soderbergh's work is varied on a layer by layer basis, and its the audiences ability to adapt and interpret these things, that determines the body of work.
If you are simply watching a film, you'll ridicule plot lines & holes, while simultaneously missing the point.
If its a piece of art, you'll find fault with the construct, and miss the big picture.
If through the eyes of a proffession(al) you take issue with due-course and contingency rather than peer into the perspective and the introspective,
through no fault nor denial of your own.
Right? How do you answer that? You don't, that's the point. Rhetoric for days I imagine while looking for sincerity in scrutiny.
This was a brilliant depiction of so many things that if you can only focus on one then you truly are missing out.
Simply put: If you think you are of such sound mind, I pity you that you can not perceive of such greatness, and that those who are "flawed" or "damaged" are in-fact the greatest minds of all. For they see all, where others do not.
Soderbergh gets it. Why don't you?
And if you do, you'll agree that this was
Entertainment Value 10/10
Overall Rating 8/10
Sure, there are things I could pick apart, continuity and process perhpaps, but...why? Why would I do that when i am having such a good time enjoying myself.
People's review of this film will tell you all you need to know about a person. Perhaps they need medication to truly see it. You don't always dream when you're sleeping, but everyone does it when they are awake. They just don't know it yet.
The Silencing (2020)
Calm
This was a truly dark film but not without its moments. I try to appreciate first before ridiculing or picking apart, if at all.
While there were some obscure derivative parts to it, it held its focus and the end product was a well delivered film.
I feel like the cast did an amazing job, bringing life to characters and giving you a feel for them as if you knew more than they let on. To understand them as people and therefore relatable, whilst still being abstract from the norm, as they had many facets to them and are far from one dimensional.
Having said that, a true testament to the cast and the great job done by all. Emotionally capturing the moments, not oversold, and very full of impact.
Nothing about this should be typical, and while some holes left unfilled, keeps you guessing and attentive right through.
There's enough backstory for you to fill in the gaps; that eliminate any confusion. Unexplained bits & pieces are meticulously by design, and plot driven.
Some parts can be easily pieced together if you focus on the Who and not the Why. It challenges(?) the audience to actualise, and if you're at least semi-intelligent you'll close those gaps yourself. Thus resulting in the all important How.
Its not a deep thinker, if you simply watch you will be entertained. Most elements come full circle by the end of the film. If you're the type to constantly question or keep theorising, i'd recommend you watch it by yourself and not ruin a good thing for everybody else.
The Silencing is a good title, as it locks you in and drags you down and blots out the rest of the world.
About midway through the film I thought it could have ended and I'd have felt as though I'd seen an entire film already. I was amazed to realise it was only half the film. What a gift.
With so much packed into the first hour and nowhere closer to unveiling the truth...or are we? Honestly, you wont know until the end.
The story has many layers and as I said, keeps you guessing. But if you're like me and enjoy watching intently and without distraction, you will really appreciate this film, supposed flaws and all.
Entertainment Value 8.5/10
Overall Rating 7/10
There is a certain calmness in this film that reigns you in. The story drives itself relentlessly and doesn't take pause for anyone. Brilliantly crafted with full intent.
I imagine I am in the small commodity of people who can truly appreciate the HOW that this was done. And that wasn't even intended as a callback to my earlier comment, i'm just now realising how vastly important that aspect was to the credibility and enjoyment of this film.
Give it a watch, I really enjoyed it. Maybe you will too.
Bad Words (2013)
Wow! really funny
I caught this film about midway through. I read the synopsis and was able to pick up most of what was going on as the movie rolled on.
I haven't laughed this hard; at random; to non-slapstick comedy; (that I just walked in on) in a very, very long time. So long that I honestly can't remember.
I'm laughing out loud and I have no problem following along. Signs of someone who knows writing. I see this is Jason Bateman's directorial debut as well. What a great job.
The cast i've seen so far is incredible. The chemistry with Bateman and Rohan is incredible.
Kathryn Hahn is typically good, as usual. Loved seeing Rachael Harris. The crudeness and vulgarity are done almost so concisely so that you only see the humor and forget the setting.
The always melancholic Smashing Pumpkins was a nice touch at the end. Summed things up nicely.
I will re-watch from the beginning but I doubt I will change anything said here. I missed all scenes with Alisson Janney, and she's usually great in everything, so I can only imagine there's a lot more laughs in the first half as well.
All in all, I'm giving this an 8/10 (from what i've seen) because to make a feel-good; coming-of-age; vulgar comedy such as this, takes some serious chops.
My hat goes off to Mr. Bateman. He seems to do everything quite well and this film is no exception.
Punisher: War Zone (2008)
It was....well depressing
To begin, I had Zero expectations about this film. Quite frankly (no pun intended) I didn't anticipate anything for or from this film.
On paper it looked good. Decent cast, good soundtrack. So imagine my amazement when i discovered this film was shot a complete 180 from its original intent.
The massive irony here is, I loved the 2004 version. I didn't think it was a great film, but I will watch it anytime it comes on.
The only ideology in mind for this film is that it will be a shoot-'em-up style. I did not think the entire film would be so mundane. The action sequences should have been cool to me, yet I found myself watching robotically with very little emotion at all.
I'm sure there are fanboys who will say its great. The whole frame for frame comic book approach. That's probably why I sat here motionless for an hour and a half. The only thing that fueled me along was the sountrack.
Thank God for Pendulum and Slipknot or i'd have fallen asleep through this film.
I honestly can't say I enjoyed it. Some parts were cool but I hated most of the characters. Oddly enough Jigsaw is one of the characters I remember well from my childhood. I still have his trading card.
Dominic West did a good job. His voice seemed to get better as the movie went on. Good ploy. Most people don't know that he is British. They see him and think Mcnulty. But if this - were - sparta!!!... you might remember him differently.
Now, Gerard Butler, he'd make a good Frank Castle. Maybe should've got Frank Miller to direct if you wanted to do it comic book style. Nothing against Ray Stevenson, great actor, but this wasn't a role catered to him.
This one, as I said, I had no expectations so I can't say I was disappointed, but I doubt; with absolute certainty that I would ever watch this again.
Entertainment Value 5/10
Overall Rating 5/10
A solid performance from Dominic West and Dash Mihok does a great job as an ever passive Soap. Seeing as The Punisher speaks about 4 lines worth of dialogue throughout the entire film, you could have given some more lively supporting characters. It was just gloomy, NOT dark. Almost depressing. (They were insane to think they could go up against The Dark Knight. Epic failure)
Some very poor casting in this film. An utter displacement of talent, and of a storyline.
Seriously, dark was Not a better way to go in this film. You may score some nostalgia points with this one, but not from this guy, sorry.
Child 44 (2015)
Enjoyably enjoyable
Its hard not to like any film with Tom Hardy in it. He has this natural chemistry where he can be paired with anybody and make it work.
A true master of the voice arts, Hardy delivers yet another stellar performance. I would say the suppprting cast was very underutilised if it wasn't Hardy in this film. The fact that there is so much talent from start to finish is nothing short of a gift to the viewer.
Fitting that he should appear yet again, with whom i'd like to call his predecessor in the character arts, Gary Oldman. This guy is a legend. Anytime you get him Hardy & Oldman paired up, you know its going to be something special.
The film itself delves deep into a surreal realism, giving us an unfiltered persepctive. An honest perspective.
I'm mot sure what more could have been done to tell the story without compromising artistic integrity.
This isn't some U. S. war film chock-filled with fiction and propaganda. So I can see why some people might not be able to appreciate just how great this film is.
The only qualm I have personally was some of the shakey camera work during the fight scenes. If you suffer from certain things as I do, it can make watching scenes like that rather difficult. Hard to follow at times.
Aside from that, a fantastic job all around. I have to imagine there was a minimalist approach to what they could and would use to keep things authentic.
I can't foresee there being much to work with given the nature of the story, so I really have to applaud the prop and costume department.
Entertainment Value 8/10
Overall Rating 7.5(8)/10
I round up to an 8 because Tom Hardy always gives a 10/10 performance. The movie doesn't have many flaws. Some of the editing could have been handled a little better, but clocking in at just over 2 hours, 2:15.00 i think, they kept it just short/long enough.
As I said, its hard to dislike. I enjoyed it, maybe you will too.