imap-05232 Reviews

Transatlantic (2023)

Escape as some kind of scout camp

[1/10 · 23 April 2023]

A terrible time brightly polished within one more of Netflix needless historical series focusing on political correctness rather than accuracy and realistic atmosphere.

Nothing is this movie feels true, especially for those who have some knowledge about this dark time of France, which was either directly occupied by the Nazis or collaborating with them.

The terror, the fear and the desperation of the refugees trying to escape Nazi-ruled Europe is difficult to describe and hard for outsiders to share. However, this issue is mainly left blank in this pathetic effort, whereas we are bothered with irrelevant love stories including - of course - a gay couple. The terror of these poor people, the permanent fear of arrest, torture and murder isn't represented realistically in any scene. Instead the refugees and their saviors are always impeccably dressed, have food and even celebrating stylish parties.

If you want to learn about the true events during this terrible time in France and the tremendous effort of some brave men and women to rescue persecutees, mainly shot-down British pilots by leading them over the Pyrenes to Spain, the heartbreaking novel of Kristin Hannah "The Nightingale" is a MUST read.

I was done after two episodes and giving one star is generous.

Avengement (I) (2019)

Abysmal zero-star trash

[1/10 · 21 April 2023]

Hard to belief the making of movie pictures like this. It serves the most primitive instincts of either depraved kids or adults with an IQ below their shoe size.

No plot, no acting but instead a never ending brawl, with Chet Atkins, a so-called action star in the middle of a confusing story.

This story is easily told. There is a guy, being betrayed by his fellows. Being releases after years in prison he's searching for answers. However, instead of doing some info-gaining, such as talking to the respective people, his only method is beating up everybody who comes by.

Hard to believe this disgusting piece gets any rating. Avoid on all costs! Minus ten, for me.

The Stone Merchant (2006)

Unbelievable bad review from imdb

[10/10 · 13 December 2022]

This is an extremely well made, thrilling drama with an excellent cast und outstanding acting - probably Murray in a short role a bit over the top.

Of course, there are different opinions about a movie, but rating this film under 6 is incomprehensible. However, to understand this we have to be clear in our mind, that the whole artistic 'scene' incl. Critics is deeply infiltrated with left-liberal philosophy, and these people deny that Islamic terror even exist, thus hating any film (or book) about its real face.

If you, like me watch movies without requiring to be lectured, but entertainend with a thrilling story and comprehensible acting figures, you will love this suspenseful drama/thriller a lot.

Quicksand (2019)

Boring and implausible

[2/10 · 4 October 2022]

To like a drama, book or film, you have to like at least one of the protagonists. In this overlong(!) series there was no such person. Maja a dull teenager, becomes a slave to Sebastian, a rich looser and disgusting sociopath, who hates and blames his dad but has no problem to spend his money with both hands.

In the wake of this incomprehensible terribly sick dependency/relationship Maja, who is allegedly a grade A student, tolerates the worst derailments and misdeeds of Sebastian, even being raped by him, and talks to nobody. Her family and friends are not better. Specially her parents fail their daughter completely. Honestly would anybody watch his beloved teen daughter moving deeper and deeper in a swamp of drugs and crime?

Finally the verdict for this empathy-lacking self-absorbed girl is a joke. Encouraging a guy to kill his father and being at least an accomplice at the killing means 'not-guilty' in Sweden. You always learn something new.

The Irishman (2019)

A typical, but completely unnecessary Scorsese.

[2/10 · 22 September 2022]

Scorseses movies: watch one and you know them all. The director is a man of perfect sets but not a storyteller. Without a good screenwriter at his side he's lost.

Similar to other - better - movies of S, such as 'Goodfellas' or 'Casino', 'The Irishman' is a increasingly boring succession of scenes, without any common thread.

As already mentioned by others, cutting 1.5 hours from this tedious piece wouldn't harm at all. In addition Al Pacino and his endless ranting is a tremendous miscast, whereas de Niro as always offers his usual frown, but nothing else.

The high rating of IMDb is incomprehensible, and has to be a bow to the big names.

Miracles from Heaven (2016)

Didn't finish

[2/10 · 29 August 2022]

Probably it's a good movie - in the end.

I couldn't finish, because of medical nonsense, obviously due to incompetent advice of the 'experts'.

It needed 5 different doctors to find the problem of the little girl, an intestinal obstruction. Really? Regarding symptoms such as permanent vomiting, a bloated abdomen and extreme abdominal pain, this would be the first suspected diagnosis every student in his clinical year would give you right away. The first measure in a case like this is the endoscopy, they performed eventually after weeks of martyrdom for that poor girl.

In this movie we have one doctor more incompetent than the next one. Please let us know which country and which area this happened, so we can avoid its health care service.

Midway (2019)

Utterly disappointing

[1/10 · 22 August 2022]

The war in the pacific was some kind of cat and mouse 'play'. There was no satellite intel and the best information about the enemies strategy came mostly from intercepting and deciphering radio traffic.

The events and decisions after Pearly Harbor incl. The fights in the coral sea culminating in the battle of Midway are fascinating to study. Unfortunately this movie picture fails this task completely. It doesn't tell anything how the high commands on both sides tried to outmaneuver each other. Instead the director - tremendously overrated Roland Emmerich - bothers with some kind of war soap-opera with heroes occupied by cool talking during endless hot battles. The increasing influence of computers/animations on movies doesn't always good.

There is nothing touching or thrilling, neither the acting nor the style of story-telling. There is no person you can connect. In addition to the bad directing is the cast another cornerstone for a terrible film, such as Woody Harrelson as Nimitz (really?) or Dennis Quaid as 'Bull' Halsey, more a caricature than an Individual.

Avoid!

The Last Days of American Crime (2020)

Have a drink with friends instead

[1/10 · 17 August 2022]

The most tedious, boring, incomprehensible, with one word: idiotic crap imaginable.

No plot, no individuals one can connect with, extreme violence.

Who produce such movies, and who watch it? I made it to minute 30 and gave up.

Avoid at all costs!

The Revenant (I) (2015)

Tremendously overated

[2/10 · 17 June 2022]

L de Caprio is part of the woke Hollywood establishment, which for me explains the Oscar.

However, if you enjoy excessive violence and adult, permanently swearing men wallow in mud, this is your film.

Vikings (2013–2020)

Started tremendously and ended poorly

[5/10 · 6 June 2022]

The first three seasons are a clear ten in my books, season 4 - 6 only 1 or less.

The deterioration of this initially brilliantly choreographed show started with the main and most interesting figure, Ragnar Lothbrok, becoming weird and addicted to some drug that was provided by an Asien girl. With his dead, for me the show died too.

The rest of the series, was all about betrayal, sex and revenge, an ancient soap opera, I couldn't care less. The central purpose of Vikings' living in these days, namely exploring the world and raiding rich places moved completely into the background.

In summary, a great show until the most interesting figures, Ragnar, Lagertha and Floki either died or vanished into some kind of weird subplot. Ragnars sons, one dumber and/or vicious than the next couldn't carry the show for one single episode. Pity!

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Sword of Honour (2001 TV Movie)

A war movie without war.

[2/10 · 2 June 2022]

Little can be said about these 3.5 hours of boredom, except that viewers such as me are sticking with it in the hope something is going to happen. However, it does not.

What we see is an English noble searching for some purpose in life, even if it means to join the frontline, something that never happens. His failed marriage and reunion with an adultery gold-digging wife is as exiting, as the rest of this tedious never ending story.

Danial Craig is good in movies where acting is not required, such as the James Bond series. Otherwise is he one of the most overrated actors in the industry.

I didn't read the novels, but believe they have to be better than the film - not a difficult task though.

We Still Kill the Old Way (2014)

Very British Gangster movie

[6/10 · 2 June 2022]

Very rough, very realistic, very British.

It started strong and could have been a great revenge story. Unfortunately, the script and the directing messed up the second part, when the story lost its 'line'.

Disappointing final with a mass shooting in a hospital(!). Why filmmakers have so much trouble with consisting endings, here, why not tracing the villains step by step and giving them what they deserve? Instead the worst of the gang died graciously fast by a police bullet.

A central part of the story is completely incomprehensible: the daughter of the police women being the devote sex object of the guy who is the scum of the earth; without the mother having any idea? Come on!

Still an entertaining movie, though the topic is somewhat given away.

Operation Cicero (2019)

Underrated master piece

[10/10 · 20 May 2022]

Even if you are not so much in WW2 mystery and spy stories, you will enjoy this brilliantly made movie picture.

The camera, the scenery, and the acting are superb.

An absolutely thrilling episode of counterespionage, compelling even without much action and a moderate dose of violence, that will keep you on suspense until the last minute.

Tastes are different, no question. However, for me this film is simply a model example of non-boring cinematographic art.

Highly recommended.

The Expendables 2 (2012)

Abysmal primitive garbage for the very simple minded

[1/10 · 20 May 2022]

No plot, no script, no story, no directing, no comprehensible acting.

Instead a continuous boring, ear deafening banging, interrupted only occasionally and shortly by silly remarks of the 'heroes'; an unstoppable killing of an endless number of bad guys, who, though heavily armed themselves are obviously incapable to hit anything.

The movie is at best a 'catwalk' of outdated has-been action-movie stars in need of money. The large group of once famous, grimly looking geriatrics are headed by Sylvester Stallone, who is with increasing age less and less recognizable, possibly due to the face-lifting efforts of his cosmetic surgeon.

It's hard to understand the many positive comments. Let's assume these are only kids and/or pathological admirer of excessive violence. If not, if real, normal, sane people praise this trash, I'm worried about the mental state of my human fellows. Sorry!

If possible my rating would be -10.

Sweet Virginia (2017)

Slow, dark, extremely intense

[10/10 · 14 May 2022]

A great, 'noir' movie picture with excellent acting and directing. It's another well made parable about the evil in most of us, in places you wouldn't' expect it.

The two main figures are simply brilliant. Though little happens, the tense atmosphere kept me in suspense to the last minute.

Highly recommended, though not for the faint-hearted.

Skyggen i mit øje (2021)

How to make the worst of an important issue

[1/10 · 14 May 2022]

Cinematography and acting were clearly above average, which is probably the reason for so many positive comments.

No doubt, it's important that people learn about the suffering of civilians during wars and terroristic activity, euphemistically called collateral damage.

This terrible historical event, when a school and a church accidentally came under friendly fire, is more than worth to be told.

However, what moved this film into an abysmal low quality (from my viewpoint) were the poor script and the even worse directing. As a result, this is the slowest, most tedious and boring movie picture I can remember for years.

Everything happens in slow motion, many actions are incomprehensible. Nobody reacts directly to a situation. The camera leaves the scenes in most dramatic moments to stare endlessly onto something irrelevant (a building, a face...)

The traumatized boy who lost his voice becomes the most important messenger. The planes fly almost directly above the ground. A bombing squad! Pilots miss to recognize what's directly in front of them, hitting constructions and buildings.

What does the preposterous parts of the movie dealing with religion, ridiculing nons and teachers have to do with the historic event? Ah, thats art, I get it.

It's obvious that films from scandinavia have special credit within the movie watching community. Why, I have no idea.

Again, this story should be told, but by professionals, not narcissistic amateurs. I'm sure this is a genre where nobody can beat the Americans.

Marley & Me (2008)

Worst movie ever

[1/10 · 4 April 2022]

...and I mean EVER. As a dog lover myself, I can't believe the raving positive reviews about a super boring couple dealing with an obnoxious, unstoppable-hyperactive dog. Probably plenty professional claqueurs around?

No Labrador/any dog in the world that isn't terribly spoiled or tantalized since the day of its birth would behave like this, even if it never attended a 'school'.

My family and I made it to minute 35, before giving up.

It's painful to watch an almost unrecognizable Kathleen Turner as a dog trainer being knocked by that dog-brat, which is one of the many supposedly 'hilarious' jokes this film throws on the audience. However, there is not even one truly funny moment in this disgusting, ridiculous, cliche-loaded Hollywood trash.

Stay away. Whatever you do, it's better than watching this crap.

Sworn to Vengeance (1993 TV Movie)

Could be better

[5/10 · 1 March 2022]

An interesting case, true one. However the film is so slow, so tedious. Cliche after cliche, such as permanent varying responsibilities and the main figure even quitting the job, investigating on his own initiative.

In addition there are some incomprehensibilities. When they find the real crime scene, no further (forensic!) investigation of the place and the surrounding is applied. Come on!

All together it's a mixture of documentation and lame crime movie. Not too bad, but not good either.

Suburra: Blood on Rome (2017–2020)

Incomprehensible rubbish - stay away

[1/10 · 26 February 2022]

Kids playing gangsters. Unbelievable plot, not one person to like or to feel sympathy. Cliche after cliche.

I made it until the middle of S 2, but this was already too much. Even one star is too good. This series is an example that you should not rely on IMDb ratings.

Adam Resurrected (2008)

When a movie is supported by 'Deutsche Filmförderung' or similar,

[1/10 · 31 January 2022]

Stay away!

Pseudo intellectual garbage, that could not be saved by the assembly of top-actors.

Nothing against making a movie about the Nazi terror that includes humoristic elements. Here, however, the attempt has tremendously failed.

Disgusting and tedious without any entertaining/exciting sequence. Again: Stay away!

The Man in the Glass Booth (1975)

Miscast of the main figure

[2/10 · 27 January 2022]

It could be a somewhat entertaining and in its details even informative movie.

However, the performance of Maximilian Schell, who is well known for overdoing his roles, his permanent exaggerated mocking and screaming is difficult to bear. That way, as the dominating character with him the whole movie goes South, at least for me.

There are many better films about the issue.

In Defense of a Married Man (1990 TV Movie)

The lover of the two ladies could be their son.

[3/10 · 25 January 2022]

That's said, the story could be fun, but with both lovers, the wife and the girlfriend being significantly older than the male defendant, the whole movie becomes increasingly incomprehensible.

Good Day for It (2011)

Could be much better

[3/10 · 25 January 2022]

Not an original plot, but good enough for a decent movie.

Unfortunately, bad script and even worse directing spoiled it all. Mega-slow, predictable, with the many good actors couldn't save it.

Several situations are simply incomprehensible, such as the police officer, smelling something dangerous developing, never asking for backup.

A highlight though is the daughter of the hero, cute well acting actress.

Summarizing, if you don't watch it you're not gone missing much.

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The Insider (1999)

Brilliant and significantly underrated

[10/10 · 9 January 2022]

Of course everybody with a brain knows that smoking is extremely dangerous. Lung cancer, in many countries number one killer, affects in more than 95% smokers. In addition, nicotine is a strong cytotoxin, creating pathologic fat- and protein-particles in the blood leading to arterial occlusion disease with consecutive myocardial infarction, limb ischemia/amputation or stroke.

However, tobacco is a billion dollar industry, and these guys do everything, I mean EVERYTHING that it stays that way. Against this backdrop this movie picture is no fiction but brilliantly presented shocking reality; day after day. No wonder, as it has already been mentioned by one of the reviewers, it was badly promoted.

In many popular movies the actors are permanently and delightfully smoking - guess why?

Summarizing, this is a thrilling and disturbing movie, with all actors doing a great job. And sad to say, that is the real world.

Citizen Jane (2009 TV Movie)

Not bad - but could be much better

[6/10 · 7 January 2022]

The plot is promising, but the suspense vanishes the moment the police - too soon - realize who is the perpetrator. From this moment on the story follows a scheme we've seen thousand times before.

Unfortunately the main actress, Jane is IMHO a miscast, not only being significantly older than her 20-year long spouse Tom, but also acting increasingly erratic and incomprehensibly.

Knowing the murderers identity and that he's on the run, it is classical police work, without interfering of a hectic amateur detective.

A highlight is the acting of Meat Loaf as a smart and quiet detective.

This story would have had the potential of a perfect crime mystery with some twist and turns, and a surprising end. Unfortunately the last third of the film was wasted with a boring man hunt.