tre1 Reviews

Haunted Mansion (2023)

Stopped Watching after 40 mins. Visually too dark

[3/10 · 3 December 2023]

I was looking forward to watching Haunted Mansion but was very disappointed with the visual darkness of the movie. I was watching on Disney+ streaming at the highest resolution.

I realize the movie is in a haunted house, so would naturally be dark, but to enjoy a movie one needs to see what's happening. On my tv, the images also appeared to be hazy. Unfortunately this seems to be the way of many movies, making the film too dark to enjoy.

I'm sure the storyline was ok - I love the Haunted Mansion ride at Disney. I just got sick of it visually, and stopped watching. My time is better spent watching something I can easily see!

Mother and Son (2023– )

Episode 1 - not at all funny

[1/10 · 23 August 2023]

I LOVED the original Mother and Son - had an excellent cast, and was hilarious.

So I thought I would watch the 2023 version.

For starters, it should have been called something different. The cast isn't a good mix. Acting isn't great, nor is the script.

Arthur and his sister sitting outside smoking marijuana, shaking my head. They both seem more cunning, than the original Arthur. I don't actually like their characters.

How many times does she need to call him baby bro.

I'll give episode 2 a watch, they say that is better. Episode 1 is a big failure - nothing redeeming about it at all. Not at all funny.

Hollywood Steps Out (1941)

Really Enoyed It

[10/10 · 27 January 2023]

I came across this cartoon on a youtube compilation today. The caricatured celebrities are really well done and look like their real life selves.

Amazing they used their real life voices too - would have been a who's who of celebrities in the studio. I loved Greta Garbo and was surprised to see Kay Kyser (I love his movie That's Right You're Wrong).

A few of the "jokes" I am sure I missed and a couple of the actors I'm not familiar with.

Overall it was funny and it kept my attention - I actually watched it a few times. When watching, open the Trivia section to make it easier to spot who is who.

For today's viewers, unfortunately it probably only has appeal to those familiar with celebrities of the 1930s. A lot of the humor would be missed if you haven't heard of the actors.

I'd be interested to know why they chose these celebrities and omitted others - perhaps others were invited but declined. Or perhaps they were popular in 1939/40

In summary, I highly recommend seeing the cartoon and I believe it is historically significant.

The Andrews Sisters (1951 TV Movie)

Boring, bad script. too many songs.

[4/10 · 29 January 2022]

Watched on youtube.

I don't know what people thought of the Pilot at the time, but watching it in 2022, I can see why no further episodes were made.

While it is boring, it is interesting to see from an historical perspective.

Story about the girls trying to find rent money by the end of the day and wanting to get married.

Buddy Ebsen's character, terrible Character of Willie played by Marvin Kaplan too "dumb". Can't believe "Willie" would be in the military, nor Patty fall for him.

During the Hawaii song - Patty (the middle one) round shouldered, looked slouchy. Think it might be her normal stance, looking at other songs.,

Songs interspersed with story. Way too many songs, though I know that is what the Andrews Sisters are known for.

2 advertisement/sponsor songs

Patty has the "lead role". Laverne is "homely". Two songs sung from the car - start and end. Not sure what the purpose of the car scenes were.

Corpse Bride (2005)

Didn't like it

[4/10 · 4 May 2021]

I'm not familiar with Tim Burton's work (without looking it up) so I'm not watching the movie from that perspective. Saw it on the Family channel, but not sure how much it would appeal to kids.

I don't like the dull/dark B/W start to the movie. 18 mins ish it suddenly changes to color and then reverts to B/W ish and continues back and forth. The script is average, at times a bit confusing. Johnny Depp sometimes mumbles.

I don't care for the songs at all, though the background music was very well done.

There were some good parts to the movie. The corpse bride Emily reminds me of Beetlejuice. I did like Emily's eye popping in and out (and the worm)! And Scraps ( Victor's dog) was cute. The animation was well done.

The movie requires watching/paying attention to. As I'm watching it I'm looking at the clock, hoping it will end soon. I wouldn't watch it again.

My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 (2016)

"We are Family"

[10/10 · 11 April 2021]

I adore this movie. It's a funny feel good movie, the characters you can imagine being actual real life family. It is beautifully cast , and a lovely script, with lots of humour. The music is also great. I'd love to see a "My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3" (with the same cast) !

Dolittle (2020)

Robert Downey Jnr Diction/Accent Horrible

[2/10 · 5 April 2021]

I found the movie disappointing due to not being able to understand what Robert Downing Jnr ("Dolittle") is saying a lot of he time. Sounds like he's talking in a loud whisper and mumbling. He isn't the only one. A few of the other male (human) characters were also difficult to hear/understand.

No matter what accent you choose, people should be able to easily understand what you are saying.

I guess some of the problem could be due to the Sound technician.

Emma Thompson as always, excellent.

Visually its well done.

Annie (2014)

Loved It

[9/10 · 16 February 2021]

I am someone who hasn't seen the earlier versions, because aside from the song, they didn't appeal. I wasn't hopeful I would enjoy this version. But after a few minutes I was engrossed. I loved Quvenzhané Wallis as Annie - she has pizzaz !

The costuming and set decorations were super and I thought it was well cast. The storyline and songs were great. The singing ability of the actors was fine - it suited the movie and gave it a "down to earth" appeal.

Sure there are a few holes in the plot, and some parts could have been done differently, but does that really matter? It's a movie meant for enjoyment. Take it for what it is, without comparing it to earlier versions.

I'd especially recommend it to those who aren't familiar with the originals.

The Very Excellent Mr. Dundee (2020)

I really enjoyed the movie

[9/10 · 27 July 2020]

I loved the trailer for the movie, and it is what hooked me into watching it. I anticipated it wold be good, and I wasn't disappointed. I thought it was a fun lighthearted movie with several giggles. It has some great messages, especially the last scene. I thought Paul too looked awesome for 79. It was nice seeing so many cameos.

I would love Paul to make another movie. He still has "it" !!

Keeping Up Appearances: Violet's Country Cottage (1992) Season 3, Episode 3

Really funny episode

[10/10 · 16 February 2020]

The characters of Dorian and Bunty were a big giggle ! Pity they didn't use them in other episodes - Dorian too reminded me of the Major, who is also enamoured with Hyacinth.

Would have made a good storyline, Hyacinth inviting both Dorian, Bunty and the Major to a candlelight supper !

Dora's Dunking Doughnuts (1933)

Has some funny bits

[4/10 · 24 November 2019]

I find it strange that Shirley's character was in a class with mostly "children" who were a lot older. She looked barely school age, and some looked like they were about to finish !

To me it seems they put Shirley in the movie as she was popular at the time - and seemed more a case of "where can we put her" "we could slot her in, in this scene".

Perhaps not brilliantly written, but I guess for the time period, and the short length the movie is ok ! Also sound and video quality as you would expect for 1933.

There are funny bits, like the (very plain looking) lady singing like a chicken !

Honestly I don't think Shirley was a great addition to the movie and certainly not good enough for top billing. I found her character a bit annoying and forced at times.

Andy Clyde (Andy) and Ethel Sykes (Dora) were a good pairing, and funny together !

The Medicine Man (1930)

I enjoyed it

[6/10 · 13 November 2019]

The storyline was enjoyable. The sound quality at times was poor, especially with music playing over the top of voices. Visually the quality of the movie was worse at the start. But overall, given it is an early talkie, and film wasn't crisp like today, it was pretty good. You need to pay attention while watching to hear/see all that is going on.

The characters were perhaps a little "thin", but it's not a long movie to allow them to be developed more.

I would assume there would be some "shock" value in the movie for the time period - eg kissing in public, and the father beating his children (though we don't actually see that, just hear it).

Given the movie is nearly 90 years old now, we are critiquing it from a different perspective to someone seeing it at the time. And perhaps if I had been watching in 1930 I would have given it more stars.

It has funny parts to it (especially the last scene). It's definitely worth watching, especially from an historical perspective.

Interstellar (2014)

Hard to understand dialogue

[2/10 · 27 November 2017]

(NB I'm watching the movie on TV from a DVD, with computer type speakers, not a home entertainment sound system)

Another movie, where actors (mostly male) mumble and whisper, making the dialogue hard to follow. It's like they have lowered their voices too, and are speaking in a way that isn't "normal".

If I turn up the volume, I'll eventually get an explosion of loud sound effects. So not conducive to watching at night, when others are sleeping.

As a consequence of having difficulty understanding what the actors are saying (especially Matthew McConaughey), I found the movie dull and boring. And I'd probably add that it's too long.

Bucky Larson: Born to Be a Star (2011)

I enjoyed it

[8/10 · 27 August 2017]

I enjoyed the movie. It's lighthearted, and gave me a few giggles. I thought it was well cast too. With all the negative reviews I was expecting to hate it, and not even finish watching it. But I was pleasantly surprised.

I thought some of the ideas in the film were clever, especially when "Kathy" improvised and made a condom for "Bucky".

The movie had a nice message too. Suspension of disbelief is needed if you are going to enjoy the movie - yes parts of the plot are unrealistic. But does that matter - no. It's a comedy, it's a bit silly; it's not a movie based on fact.

The movie is "different", watch it for what it is, and not for what you want it to be.

True Grit (1969)

Kim Darby & Glen Campbell - badly cast

[1/10 · 28 January 2016]

The character of Mattie Ross played by Kim Darby is horrendous. Kim looks way too old / too tall to be a teenager, and too old to be wearing a shorter skirt (for the time period). Her hair is too short and the clothes she wears seem so "wrong". It's unbelievable that a female teenager would be so "forward" for the time period. I can't understand why Kim Darby was cast in the role. She ruins the movie. The wardrobe department gets zero stars for how they dressed her.

Glen Campbell better suited to singing than acting. The starting song before the movie also doesn't fit the movie either.

All in all these two characters/actors were so wrong/didn't work. Made the movie a pain to watch.

John Wayne was fine, but in my mind, not worthy of an Oscar for this movie.

Dodo, the Kid from Outer Space (1965)

Great catchy tune, that's about it

[2/10 · 8 August 2013]

Last week I did an online search and found an episode of Dodo to watch.

While I still love the song - really catchy and the best part of the cartoon - the characters speaking in rhymes really got on my nerves.

The rhyming distracted me from the storyline. I hadn't remembered that the characters did speak in rhyme. My memory of the cartoon is really just the song. And how powerful and memorable all those cartoon songs are!

I don't think the cartoon has stood up to the test of time. Sometimes too how we remember something is better than the reality of it as an adult!

Kath & Kimderella (2012)

Lighthearted and Fun

[9/10 · 28 May 2013]

Fabulous lighthearted funny movie! It's not serious, watch it for what it is. Has a number of "in" jokes. Great script writing! I think it's probably most suited to Australian audiences, though the beginning of the movie does get you up to speed. Features an enjoyable music score as well. And great scenery.

Jane, Gina, Magda, Peter and Glenn are just perfect - they have wonderful chemistry and are great talents.

Loved the TV series, loved this movie! Watched it on TV - but am seriously considering buying the DVD. It really was enjoyable and upbeat.

Spy Kids 2: Island of Lost Dreams (2002)

A superb HD movie which was excellently cast

[10/10 · 18 August 2006]

I have only just seen this movie, having borrowed the DVD from the library. The first thing I noticed when watching the movie was the excellent picture quality - it was 'filmed' in High Definition.

Apart from really enjoying the plot of the movie, which I won't re-iterate here, (I haven't seen Spy Kids 1 or 3), I found the audio commentary on the DVD by Robert Rodriguez, fantastic.

What a talented and imaginative man Robert Rodriguez is. RR went into a lot of detail about the making of the film but I also found that a lot of his comments are also appropriate in many other areas of ones life, and they don't only relate to the movie industry.

The DVD contains a lot of extra special features and I found them most interesting. The movie was excellently cast and it was great to see Ricardo Montalban. Both he and Antonio Banderas were perfect for their roles.

In summary it was a really enjoyable movie and I loved the subtle humor that occurred throughout. The DVD's special features are superb.