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The Fall Guy (2024)
comic book for kids
What a tedious bore this movie was. I still have no idea what it was all about, a lot of loud noise and explosions and rushing about and staged fight scenes. Some of the sound track was awful too.
What is it with Ryan Gosling lately. He seems to have lost that rugged lopsided look that made him so attractive. Even after his stunts he looked far too pretty. In fact, he actually seemed to make stuntmen look bad. The men wear way too much makeup in movies nowadays. I always dislike it when you can see it so obviously, especially in the close-ups.
Anyway I battled though this, but the bad reviews are right. Poor Lee Majors.
The End We Start From (2023)
the end should never have started
This movie was so slow and boring it felt like half a day had gone by when it finally came to a tired and damp end. Unlike many reviewers here, I do not think Jodie Comer is a magnificent actress who carried this film. She is just OK, although I did enjoy her turn opposite Sandra Oh as an assassin/serial killer.
It was a relief when this ground to a halt. It was raining and flooding in London, but various scenes depicting them walking also showed rain, but no flooding. Poor London, the scapegoat for all the climate change deniers.
The American woman was good. The BF/husband(?) was a waste of time, just the type of person you don't want around in an emergency. He was as wet as as the weather.
There were some real what am I seeing here moments at the beginning. Yuck. Less is more, people.
The score was just as bad.
Sorry, it's a No from me.
Tempting Fortune (2023)
light, forgettable relief
I found it faintly amusing to watch this bunch struggling through a pretty mild hike, complaining and whining the entire time.
Only Luke and Taheera never had anything and yet we hardly saw either of them. Neither of them had much to say or contribute to the group except to agree with everything James had to say. James, the strong and ethical leader who stole a teabag and sugar when the others were sleeping. Yes, that one. He cost the group the same as the ones that openly took the temptation. So there's that. He also never seemed to do any work or help around the camp, but we had to listen to his pompous, self righteous lectures on ethics.
As it turned out, they might as well have taken the temptations as is still cost them almost the same.
They could have had a little fun and a few unique experiences in a beautiful country along the way. After all, when would that kind of opportunity every occur again? They certainly weren't pleasant to watch. Not to say that the blatant weaknesses of Lani, et al were not irritating too.
Although the splitting of the cash at the end was a tad unfair, them's the odds when joining a show like this.
21 Grams (2003)
very moving
This is a moving, tragic movie with excellent performances by everyone. The three leads were outstanding and even the supporting cast were fantastic.
It is, however, a very depressing and moody watch. Even though I enjoyed it immensely - the plot only offers a glimpse of hopefulness right towards the end.
I thought it was ironic that Sean Penn's character ends up back in hospital when he had refused to be admitted when his transplant begins to fail . Albeit under different circumstances, were they able to save him a second time?
Make up your own mind, why not. I prefer my own interpretation.
Dangerous Game: The Legacy Murders (2022)
animal cruelty
What sicko thinks of ways to write and film animal cruelty, and even though it's a movie it requires a certain type of "creativity" from the crew - and who wants to willingly be part of that??????
Luckily I was reading the reviews and mostly got the sound effects which were bad enough. Best part that sick psycho was next to go. You only wished they could all have gone much quicker.
There wasn't a single redeeming thing about this film and now I have to write more because the review is too short according to IMDb for god's sake.
Please believe the other reviews. Some of them even give the entire plot in a few lines.
Asteroid City (2023)
don't really take notice of directors , only the movies
I am one of those philistines that watches movie without a clue as to who the Director is - and nor do I care. If the movie is great, then it's great - even then I don't care who the Director is. And if it's a bust I care even less.
So, all the reviews raphsoding about Wes Anderson as a Director are meaningless to me (much as this film is). I remember The Royal Tennenbaums and liked it very much. After (and before) that I'm a blank.
This movie was a pretty picture of colours and sets, but a total blank. I think I grasped the concept but didn't care enough about it to wonder and analyse everything when it was finished. It was not funny either. Deadpan deliveries and stacatto recitations. Ho hum.
The best part was the birdie dancing during the credits..
Arthur the King (2024)
too little about the dog
About 10 years ago I was keen on attempting a challenging 3 day/night run over mountainous and rugged terrain next to the sea. I trained up, but circumstances never aligned close enough for me to follow through. So, although the movie depicts a race, I thought I would find it interesting enough even before the dog appears. But it did drag a bit and the characters were pretty forgettable. By then I was just waiting for the dog to show up. I do think they could have concentrated more on the dog, that's what I wanted to see.
Nevertheless, it tugged on my heart strings and made me all bleary eyed.
The end credits depicting the real life dog with Mike left me with a warm feeling and smiles despite the tears.
Lonely Hearts (2006)
the honeymoon kllers
Unfortunately this movie had already stated when I chanced upon it - and I also never read any reviews, so it was a surprise to hear the name Martha, and then later, Raymond . I then realised I had hit on a remake of the Honeymoon Killers, which I read sometime in the early 80's I believe. The book fascinated and repelled me. They were a repulsive pair - Martha, fat and slovenly, Raymond weak and going bald - but both were sex obsessed. I remember finding some of the sex passages in the book made me feel quite queasy.
Raymond would lure in his conquests and then things would escalate from there
i dont remember the entire sequence of events and that book is long lost. But that thin little book had an enormous effect on me. I thought Jared Leto was excellent casting. Salma not so much - far too attractive, although she played the art well. In the book you have to ask yourself why he finds such an unattractive person as her so compelling. What enthrals him about her?? In the movie it's pretty obvious.
The rest of the cast were capable and did their jobs well.
Catch Me A Killer (2024)
started well
The first episode was very good. I remembered that case as it was splashed all over the news and serial killers were still something not really heard of then. No-one quite believed it at first - apparently such a well liked and respected teacher. Just goes to show, never judge a book by its cover. I thought the episode was well acted and gripping.
Things sort of dropped off thereafter as she steadily became more unlikeable. I have no idea what she is like in real life, but god she must have been hard work, even with making allowances for the exceptionally horrendous circumstances she had to work in.
I know a lot of people smoked back in the day, but jeez she was like a walking coffin.
The settings were very authentic though and the supporting actors were good.
Past Lives (2023)
bring back the past
In a strange quirk of fate, I was recently pondering the very same issues this movie addresses - all the very many "what ifs" in my long, troubled and sometimes untroubled life.
In one, I reconnected with an old school friend who was also living in another country. Neither of us where married at the time and we consequently met up a few years later here in my Mother city. Even after all those years the attraction was obvious to all. He often brought up the "if only" aspect, but as time went on and the messages continued I could see that it would never have led anywhere in real life. Such are the dreams we pursue until the real world intervenes.
I think Hae Sung knew this, in spite of his New York visit , and so did she. Although the movie ends with their parting, the assumption is that this time it is forever.
I did find it a bit overlong in parts, but I understood her character, and was clearly able to relate to her actions. I felt great empathy for both the men.
Sometimes it's only as we age that these sensations return to trouble and torment us..
The Tattooist of Auschwitz (2024)
Heart wrenching
I have not read the book, so i am basing my review purely on what the series gives me.
Of Course, there are moments when you think - this cant be happeing, that wouldn't have been allowed, etc etc.
My Father was a POW in Italy and hardly spoke of it, except to praise the courage and resilience of some of his inmates from other parts of the world.
There was certainly an amount of co-operation, and the Italians' main crime seemed to have been incompetence in running the camps rather than outright sadism, leading to the starvation of prisoners, and attempts were made to escape.
I'm glad I watched this at home alone, i was left weeping uncontrollably - and not just at the series.
The Kill Room (2023)
not that bad
Reading through these reviews I am once again fascinated how some people can drill down to the slightest detail and pick a movie apart. I, on the other hand, tend to watch something and rate it on my level of enjoyment.
This was OK. It didn't blow me out of the water, but it also wasn't as bad as some of these reviews either.
One thing that disappointed me a bit, was that Reggie's identity was revealed to the public so early, especially given his profession. I thought more could have been done with that. How did he think it was going to be kept a secret from his "bosses"?
Otherwise, it was a good send up of the world of the uber wealthy, all of whom seem to be arrogant and pretty thick. Not only in this movie by the way.
You Belong to Me (2021)
just rubbish
My God - who writes this stuff?? Another cliched seen it all before, been there done that "psychological" drama where all the characters behave like they've had lobotomies and the dialogue is straight out of a high school text book.
I'm not a Casey Affleck fan - what was the outcome of the GBV charges levelled against him a while back? Anyway, he is a one dimensional actor, with one expression throughout. The bit where he is yelling at the Psychiatrist to "lock him up" made my eyes roll - why would he do something like that says the good Doc - because he's in a lunatic asylum Doc, duh.
Is this the same guy who was in The Hunger Games? How he has changed - gaunt face and teeth a la American. Not a good look on him, but great for this movie as you immediately pick him as the baddie insane one.
Knox Goes Away (2023)
Poignant and gripping
I am not ashamed to confess that I shed a few tears during this movie. I had never heard of it (why not???) and was a bit hesitant to even watch it after reading the synopsis. But, what a revelation and I am really glad that I did.
A bit slow off the mark, but stick with it. It will tug on your heart strings whilst keeping you enthralled as to what will happen next. The plot is simple - the protagonist , Michael Keaton who is a professional hitman, develops the early stages of dementia and sets about clearing up his affairs.
His estranged son lands on his doorstep pleading for help and, through an elaborate series of twists and turns we are led down this path of redemption - for them both, I might add.
The ending could only have had one possible outcome and it did not disappoint.
As one recently affected by this tragic disease it was particularly poignant for me and I'm grateful that it ended when it did.
Although this was definitely Michael Keaton's movie, plaudits to James Marsden as his son, as well as Al Pacino, Marcia Gay Harden and the young lady who played the Mistress, in excellent supporting roles.
The Holdovers (2023)
loved it
For someone who detests long movies I surprised myself for still being wholly attentive when this ended after 2 and something hours!
It matters not that we think we know how it's all going to work out. It's the getting there that matters. I was enchanted and sad all at the same time. This is about sorrow and grief and redemption and happiness and joy.
All three lead actors were wonderful. I think the youngster deserves a special mention - I don't recall reading much about him in any write-ups or Oscar buzz, unlike the other two. Not that they don't deserve it.
I wish they would make more movies like this today. So unlike the tiresome super heroes, CGI and big bangs, sordid sex and violence we're subjected to.
Beautiful Wedding (2024)
minus 1
If ever there was a movie that deserved a minus rating it's this one. Truly reprehensible - and now ImDb wants 600 words on this junk.
Blah blah blah blah
The actors looked like they were sleep walking their way through this mess, with just a whole lot of crude slapstick scenes thrown together with no discernible story or logic. How on earth did this tripe ever get the green light??????
Movies that make light of animal abuse deserve a place in Hell or wherever that bad place is along with its makers. Yes, cock fighting is CRUEL.
One of the worst movies I've ever had the misfortune to see and I blame myself for watching it. Slap!
Cat Person (2023)
did the cat make it out
I sort of enjoyed this movie despite the protagonist being a thoroughly precocious and unlikeable Gen Z type. All me, me, me me.
She initiates a series of text conversations with a geeky older guy who frequents the theatre where she works at the concession stand. She imagines all kinds of scenarios as the texting escalates and they finally meet up for a "date".
The guy is obviously immature for his age and lacking in dating experience so things don't go well. She never says anything or objects - she merely submits to his idea of a good time, seemingly obtained from watching too much porn, and then ghosts him after what was for her, at least an appalling experience. It made for very uncomfortable viewing, but I felt it was realistic enough. It's kind of as if you've gone so far down that path that you might as well just get it over with instead of causing a scene. Yes, this happens.
Anyway, he doesn't understand what went wrong and things escalate from there.
The ending went off the rails a bit. We only see a brief glance of ONE cat - where was the other and did they make it out???
The Whale (2022)
Not as disgusting as I though
I have skipped past this movie dozens if not hundreds of times with the thought that the subject matter is just too much to spend 2 hours or whatever in one place watching it.
I'm still not sure what I really thought. Does it sound terrible to say I would have preferred it if Brendan Fraser's big comeback was something else. I never sympathised with him at all. In fact he wasn't a very nice person at all; this is in my opinion and others may differ, of course.
This is not to detract from his performance at all, but ...I don't know, it just didn't work for me.
Supporting cast was great. Snotty spoilt daughter, the long suffering Mother, quite happy for her daughter to get everything - seemed genuine.
I nearly choked when I heard he had all that cash. Someone should have made him eat it all!!!
King of California (2007)
nice litle surprise
Well, this popped up op on a channel I never normally watch, as it usually plays old duds. However, this was different and no dud - a charming, slow moving family movie about a Father/Daughter relationship and how it endures after he returns home from a psychiatric facility.
I did find Michael Douglas's ginormous moustache and beard a bit distracting, but if fitted his character. Even though she thinks he's crazy, she gets dragged on his wild goose chase for the hidden Spanish "doubloons" hidden beneath them somewhere nearby.
This movie put me in mind of "The Fisher King", another old movie, for some reason.
This one is not half as tragic as that one. And for a change I enjoyed watching something with no sex, nudity, cursing or violence.
My version of the ending is the better one I think.
Barbie (2023)
what a letdown
Well, that will learn me. After seeing Oppenheimer a while ago and dozing off, I finally chanced on Barbie, the other half of the "barbenheimer" explosion which took audiences back into the theatres after Covid brought movies to a standstill and thought - oh goodie!
Definitely NOT a kiddies movie, I feel it missed a beat. Yes, it made a lot of money, blah blah....but I think the hype carried it forward.
Preachy, patronising and not even funny. There's a whole lot of missed potential, with parts of it promising an amusing satire, but most of it not delivering.
The ending was dire - it should have stuck to being for little girls, who would have been as bewildered as me after watching this.
May December (2023)
on the fence
I remember the whole affair this movie is based on, it was shocking and unbelievable particularly as the teacher who had an affair with her young student was jailed, yet they continued to see each other and later married producing three children.
What is fascinating about this movie is the way Natalie Portman gradually turns into the Julianne Moore character and emulates her a little too successfully. The final scene, which seems to be some sort of B Grade underage porno movie, just underlines her descent into immorality. Or was that her all along?
The Moore character fares little better, in fact there is little to separate the two. The pitiful husband, more like a child than his children is at least likeable.
It's not clear - how did they live and afford that huge house and send the 3 kids to college as well?
The Standoff at Sparrow Creek (2018)
quite relevant today
You have to concentrate to follow the plot or else you'll get lost and lose interest. It did wander off at times during the "talky" bits as this is not an "action" movie, but rather a suspenseful thriller. It's very wordy and at times I did find the dialogue a bit hard to follow.
Nevertheless, these groups should be taken seriously and all gloves are off when it comes to the suspension of belief - anything is possible and yes, there are lunatics out there.
The movie is very dark, but I did enjoy it especially towards the end which leaves you questioning the morals and ethics of everyone on both sides. I particularly liked the character of Gannon. I hope he chose well.
The Dive (2023)
boring if you don't dive
Because this movie is all about deep sea diving and the equipment that comes with it, it's difficult to know what the actual dangers are and how to rectify them. You see a lot of them fiddling around with tubes and various other equipment, but if you don't know how they work and what they're trying to do to fix them, the suspense is lacking. So, I know absolutely nothing about deep sea diving except that you must decompress when surfacing and that you'll die without oxygen.
Nevertheless, the actresses tried their best and the scenery was wonderful. I skipped some of the middle bits and don't feel that I missed anything, but I caught the ending which was a bit hit and miss.
Silent Night (2023)
dire
I couldn't even make it to the end of this movie. Did I care if he lived or died. No. Why? Because we had no idea who the hell he was. There were a lot of flashbacks to his time with his son, but somehow they never really connected. They were just random scenes thrown in at odd times during the action. Speaking of which, it took a heck of a long time for any of that to get going too. When it did, it was unspeakably vile. All taking place in what looked like deserted graffiti strewn buildings or underpasses beneath bridges where the homeless hang out.
There was no sound from anyone - just a lot of gunfire . Ho hum.
Nine Days (2020)
too many questions
This movie just did not connect with me. Yes, it was OK, it was watchable and the concept was good. But it just never grabbed me. Different strokes and all that, I suppose. If a movie is going to be 2 hours long, then it has to keep my attention for 2 hours or I tend to doze off. This was a snoozer although there are some spectacular reviews of 9 and 10's.
We are supposed to ponder "the meaning of life" and how we live our own. But I had more questions then anything else.
These 'unborn' - where do they come from? How do they arrive at their final destination in the remote cabin in the middle of a desert and who chooses them? Why do they seem to be stuck in the past with old fashioned gadgets and where does Kyo live? Alas, so many more questions... a movie should at least provide some answers. This just ends.
The acting was good though.