raven_guest

The Boys: Department of Dirty Tricks (2024)

First 4 eps

SPOILERS

So disappointing. Why did so much happen 'off screen' - Frenchie's new relationship, MM's dramatic weight loss (and several other characters look gaunt too - was this on purpose?), Starlight's past with Firecracker (she wasn't like that, it seems to be added in for drama), the abortion etc etc. Writing should be 'Show, don't tell' -this feels like the opposite.

It's like they don't know what to do with it all anymore. I don't care about Starlight's political group, I don't care about Hughie's Mum, I don't care about Frenchie's relationship. They all feel like filler. The first four eps have given very little to get people excited. This is the problem with killing off/writing off all the interesting characters. Maeve was complex, Soldier Boy was a real threat, Noir was wasted. There felt like a reason for things, but everything in this season so far doesn't feel interesting or important.

The cast are all still great, I just feel like new writers have come in and don't know what to do storyline wise.

Sister Sage is incredibly unlikable. She's been given nothing to make her nuanced or interesting. She's just manipulating people with very little motivation. Is she bored? Does she have people she cares about? Is she doing this for power?

It just doesn't feel like the same show and I don't feel excited about the rest of the season.

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (1994)

Over the top

I am half way through the novel and thought it would be a good time to watch this. Mistake.

Too much is changed and not for the better; -Pointless scenes go on too long (The 'mud wrestling' scene with the Creature and Victor) -Victor's constant open shirt/topless scenes were pointless and gratuitous -The Creature is changed a lot personality wise.

-There's far too much focus on the 'love story' between Victor and Elizabeth which is the least interesting aspect of the whole film- and nothing like the book.

This movie was surprisingly boring, too altered to be entirely faithful and full of pointless additions that took away from what could have been a great movie.

Branagh was over the top and melodramatic.

The Black String (2018)

Why isn't Oded listed?

Oded Fehr is in this movie, but isn't listed anywhere or on anything! Why? X.

The film itself is an interesting idea, but there are large chunks that could have been cut and it would have made NO difference to the film. Some of the effects were very good, but some were awful. I really enjoyed the imagery of the 'visions/hallucinations' and wanted more from that and the mythos behind it. It can be quite gory in places, so if that's not your thing, this might not be the film for you.

It's an interesting horror movie with elements of different genres, but it isn't going to change the world or cinema any time soon.

1899 (2022)

Livid

Dark was an amazing show that became a sleeper hit through word of mouth - people told their friends and so on. I saw very little advertising or promotion for it.

Had Netlfix learned from this, they could have had another hit on their hands.

This show is special. It's thoughtful, complicated, intricate, beautiful, enchanting and utterly unlike anything you'll ever see...and Netflix tanked it after less than 2 months because it wasn't being 'binged' fast enough. You can't binge a show like this. It requires thought and attention.

I can only hope they see sense and give us the two more seasons it needed.

So utterly gutted that they didn't even give it a chance, but they churn out 40 trashy realty shows a month.

#save1899 #renew1899.

Resident Evil (2022)

How can it be so 'meh'

The Resident Evil games are SCARY, CREEPY, SUSPENSEFUL, EXCITING. This show is NONE of those things. I'm only up to episode 3 and I don't know if I'll bother finishing. It's too 'teen' for Resident Evil. It's too meh, dull, boring, lacking in monsters and characters I care about. It's like they've tried to make Resident Evil for teens who are scared of zombies. There's no threat, no intrigue, no tension, no interest. I'm not slamming the actors as they could be great with better material, it's just all so meh. I don't care about either timeline and I'm forcing myself to watch it to see if it gets better. PG Resident Evil shouldn't exist.

Spiral: From the Book of Saw (2021)

It was just disappointing.

I was very excited to watch this movie as I love the Saw films, but this just doesn't work. Chris Rock just isn't a convincing dramatic actor in this. Had the lead been played by someone else it may very well have worked better. I also have no idea of what Article 8 is which meant that I had no idea of what they were talking about for a lot of the film. The traps were interesting, but nothing on the previous ones and the reveal wasn't exactly shocking. Plus the use of the 'Hello Zepp' music was wasted on such a meh ending. Disappointing.

Bodies (2004)

Too much sex, just isn't needed.

I could really do without all the graphic sex. It just feels excessive and unnecessary and honestly just gets in the way of the interesting drama and patients. I have had some serious 'OH MY GOD NOOOOOO' moments during some of the birth scenes, but it has definitely solidified my desire to NEVER have kids lol. Really interesting drama and seems to be true to life in the ridiculous 'target centred' way hospitals are run now.

The Last Witch Hunter (2015)

No expectations, very pleasantly surprised!

Watched this for background noise and was rivetted. Yes, some of it is very silly, but it doesn't take itself too seriously, it's entertaining and some of the shots and sets are beautiful. Really enjoyable.

The House (2022)

First Part was great but...

I really enjoyed the first segment - even if the puppets/models were terrifying- but it was entertaining and creepy. The second segment felt like it may never end and I just wanted it to be over. It was well animated but just boring. The 3rd was also entirely too long and not terribly interesting. Again well animated but dull. Dark comedy these are not. None were funny in any capacity and the last two ruined the favourable impression the first gave.

Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2022)

So very dumb and pointless.

Why did they bother with this? The story is rubbish, the set up isn't great. It's just a waste of time. I honestly thought this was 'son of leatherface' as he didn't seem old enough to have been the original one. At one point a character is pointing a shotgun at leatherface, could have killed him with very little effort....but doesn't. Lets him walk off then goes running after him to shoot him. Everything about this film is just pointless and dull. There are a few interesting kills, but other than that it's a waste of everyone's time.

Mother/Android (2021)

So Dumb

I have very little knowledge of pregnancy and birth (thankfully) but even I know that just about EVERY decision that was made in this movie was dumb. Beyond dumb in fact. The actors try and they're all good, but it's just not a good movie. You will feel angry about how obvious the idiot decisions are, you will constantly want to scream at the screen and you will wonder why you are still watching. Also G is super human and can stop and start her labour when it suits her and seems to be in agony/absolutely fine on and off after just having a c-section.

Distancia de rescate (2021)

Fever Dream

This is a beautifully shot film with talented actors and a stunning backdrop. The problems come with just about everything else. Had the story been told in a linear fashion is would have bored most people to tears. The use of 'flashbacks' etc made it more interesting, but essentially this is a very simple story that is made over complicated.

My biggest problem was with David. He doesn't actually ever do anything wrong, he's just a bit 'off'. He's described as a monster and insulted by his mother constantly, but he genuinely just seems sad and lost. He craves affection and seems to get that from Amanda until he crosses a line I don't think he really understood. Neither of his parents seem interested in him and he's left to his own devices. Was it the splitting of his soul that caused it or the expectation of what splitting his soul would cause? Corolla was expecting him to be different and so he was? The whole 'Greenhouse' storyline just wasn't needed. It seemed tacked on as a reason for weirdness when really you could just have had David have a head injury. It didn't add to the 'poisoning' at all, that in and of itself was enough to be important. It was hard to feel sympathy when after the horse and child got sick that no one roped off the water, put up signs, called for change or any such thing. Other children are affected by it but no one seems to care, they just let their children be affected. It is a relevant issue as we're constantly being faced with our planet's destruction and no one seems particularly bothered. Chemicals are still dumped, pollution still happens and we all just shake our heads and move on. Is this small town a microcosm of the planet at large? And if that is the point, why bother with the 'Greenhouse' parts? They just felt like they distracted from the main themes and message that the film was trying to get across.

There's Someone Inside Your House (2021)

So Dumb

Very few films manage to be such an epic let down after such an interesting/promising start. The title makes no sense as it doesn't fit the film. The characters are forgettable (though I'm sure the actors are very in good in other projects) I didn't care about any of them which makes watching difficult as you're just hoping everyone gets offed. The lead's 'mysterious' background isn't interesting, there's no reason why her parents weren't around (divorce is mentioned but that doesn't excuse not being around) and her friends aren't around long enough/evolved enough to be concerned with. There's too much focus on the relationship between Ollie and Makani and it isn't worth bothering with. The 'twist' was dumb. The actions of most of the cast were incredibly dumb and unbelievable and I just wanted it to end.

Soul Reaper (2019)

Not finished yet, not sure I will bother

Where to start? I'm about 40 minutes in and most of that was wasted. The characters are unlikable, the sound track is shockingly jarring and bad... We don't have cabins in the woods in the UK. You might find a caravan park or chalets, but we don't have Evil Dead style cabins like that here. We don't hate Americans (unless they're rude etc) and our small pubs generally welcome customers as they're all in fear of being shut down. Was this shot in America with a few Brit actors or shot in the UK with people who hate the country? There just isn't anything to like so far APART FROM (No spoilers) a hilarious scene with hammers - though I'm not sure it was supposed to be funny or menacing? The tone is all over the place, the script is terrible and ripping off a lot of much better horror movies. Is is supposed to be a 'so bad it's good' low budget horror is were they just bad at making it? I don't really care anymore, it's not worth the hassle.

Army of the Dead (2021)

Does it ever end?

I've been watching about 30-45 mins of this at a time over several days and it still feels like I have hours to get through. This is NOT a good movie. I love zombie movies, I love bad movies, I love ridiculous, trashy, silly, fun movies. This is just bad. None of the characters are that interesting apart from Tanaka and he's barely in it.

Dumb things that happen/inconsistencies; -Girl wearing immaculate white top after running around in the sand and dirt for several hours.

• No one being bothered that a nuke is heading their way in an hour. Just stopping to have convos and heart to hearts without ANY feeling of threat or fear of being blown up.

-NO ONE is in a rush.

-How is the generator for a WHOLE CASINO running after that tiny amount of petrol they put in it?

-Why do some scenes go on for a lifetime? They just don't need to; -Badass stuck in corridor with zombies. She nearly dies several times. Gets out by smashing through glass. Her friends could have rescued her as they're all close enough...but they don't. She dies. The whole sequences just goes on WAAAAAY too long.

-Getting cash out of safe - no one seems to be rushing despite the huge threat of a nuke. Plus all those 'bags of money' don't seem to weigh anything when they're carrying them.

-Valentine killing bad guy - really didn't need to go on that long at all!

-Girl getting neck broken and head twisted around - supposed to be sad/horrifying but it was just hilarious.

-Also the trope of getting back together, character dies si just so over done and boring!

And I haven't even finished it yet! Avoid.

Paradise Hills (2019)

It said she's 23!

The synopsis for this is wrong. It says Uma is a teenager, but on the computer screen about her it lists her as 23. This film really could have been special but it got lost up its own backside. Large parts went on too long, but there wasn't enough about the world outside the island. Very muddled. Beautiful sets and costumes though x

Long zai jiang hu (1986)

Why the awful dubbing?

I love this movie. It's ridiculous, over the top and cheesy as hell, but it's also really entertaining. The actors who dubbed Brandon etc all sound waaaaaay too old to be the voices of the characters and it really takes away from the enjoyment. Unsure about the name and why the keep promoting it with Bruce Lee's image as it has nothing to do with him and the 'legacy' angle has no place in the story. The fight scenes are well done and it's evident that Brandon was destined for amazing things x

Showdown in Little Tokyo (1991)

Thank the gods for Brandon Lee

I love this movie but I think it would be intolerable without Brandon's snarky/comic relief character. There is a seriously annoying cliche scene of a female being so appreciative of her 'hero' that she sleeps with him which is stupidly unrealistic and the side romance plot just slows things down a lot. There needed to be more Jenner and Johnny as their scenes are such fun and entertaining. Very 90s. x

Rapid Fire (1992)

So much to love

Want a 90s action nostalgia kick? This is the movie for you. Not too action heavy, not too cheesy romance this has something for everyone. Brandon Lee is exceptional and it's a shame they never got to make the sequel they were planning. Pure 90s fun x

The Crow (1994)

Everyone needs to see this movie.

Putting aside the tragedy surrounding the movie, this really is a must see. The soundtrack is amazing, the score is perfect and the story line is one everyone can empathise with . I've seen this so many times I know the script by heart. Beautiful, moving, exciting and wonderfully choreographed there's something for everyone here. x

Sex, lögner & videovåld (2000)

Brandon's Cameo

It's worth watching just for the earring Brandon Lee is wearing in his cameo. Probably the only person in existence to pull off the 'Pat Butcher' earring. Gotta love it x

Urge (2016)

I love it

Leave your brain at the door, don't expect too much and have an open mind. This film is fun. No, it's not particularly well acted, the script is ridiculous in parts and it's hard to root for any of the characters...but it's so ridiculous it's entertaining as hell. I've watched it twice now as I enjoyed it so much. This isn't a cerebral movie that will change your outlook on life or stay with you for months, but it is a good way to pass a couple of hours. x

Laser Mission (1989)

The BEST bad movie

Everything about this movie is brilliant; the humour, the unintentional humour, the cheesy 90s music and clothing, the sound effects... it's a giant mess, but it is such a fun giant mess. Brandon is clearly having a blast playing the cocky Michael Gold and not taking himself too seriously with the slapstick comedy that pops up in random places. Terrible script, laughable minor actors and so many cloches it's hard to keep count...but it's just so damned entertaining. Give it a shot. Even if it is just to watch the amazing Brandon Lee x

The Walking Dead: What We Become (2020)

What a mess!

I don't know where to start. Finishing this episode was hard as it was dull and dumb. I love this show and I forgive a lot of bad writing etc, but this episode really angered me. The 10/10 ratings on here are either bots or paid reviews as no one could think this was a great ep. So many questions; Why did she bother following Virgil alone? Why should we care about Virgil? Where did the big boat come from? Are we supposed to care about the other captives? Why is Michonne being shown as a terrible mother all of a sudden? Who does she think is going to raise her damned kids? Is Rick now fluent in Japanese? Why bother to bring Siddiq back for thirty seconds? There are so many things to be angry about in this episode. I really feel this was a complete waste of time just to give Michonne an excuse to leave. NO mother would ditch her kids like that on the off chance that her man might be alive. She has NO idea of where he is and is trotting off to find one person in a massive continent! Plus the 6 year gap! He might have been on that ship six years ago. He could be dead, on another continent etc etc. It also raises the question of how awful a parent Rick is. There is nothing that would stop him going back to his people, so how are we supposed to believe that he's just wandered off for the last six years and not tried to get back to them? It's pretty much made Michonne and Rick unlikable for ditching their kids on...well...we don't know. There was a mention of 'Uncle Daryl' but no one asked him to look after them, Michonne just assumed and ran off. Completely undermines everything we've learned about the characters and it's unbelievable that she wouldn't at least go back to say goodbye or ensure her kids would be cared for. She's essentially dumped the 6 year old on the 10 year old to look after. So bad. Such bad writing and character development.

The I-Land (2019)

They cancelled Santa Clarita Diet but made this?!?

Where to start! I've watched two episodes and can't do any more. The characters aren't remotely appealing, the scripts are terrible, the people#s reactions are ridiculous and it feels like it ripped off about fifteen other,-better- shows. What a waste of money and an interesting premise.