wotsonurmind Reviews

True Detective (2014– )

Season 4 is the most generic , pointless mess of any serial

[4/10 · 24 February 2024]

What a massive let down for True Detective fan. This season 4 is just a generic copy of some of the popular Icelandic and Norwegian serials very popular in Europe. Sadly even then it is beyond boring,generic and a complete mess of a series. The editing,characters,story and even the acting is so bad and rudderless. You do not care for any character and the story itself is so so terrible.

The director should never ever direct anything ever...and then I find Netflix want the lady to direct the next season! Netflix have earned a reputation for destroying serials strength by extending the length of the series in the past and now they just think we'll all watch just because it's on Netflix. Time to show Netflix a lesson!

Ferrari (2023)

Lord! Why the obsession with ADAM DRIVER ??? Why ???

[6/10 · 29 December 2023]

Why does Hollywood have this near obsession with Adam Driver for the big movies ?

Nothing personal with Adam - he comes across as a Gentleman in interviews, is decent in acting , has at least some presence and seems to be a hard worker.

But, Gosh! It's hard to watch him as the sole hero and he cannot carry a movie. Nothing wrong with that. There are several heroes like him, like Chris Hemsworth who's unwatchable in anything other than Thor or even older heroes like Jude Law - terrific when paired with someone else like in Mr Ripley or Gattaca but hard to watch as a sole hero. Some have it like Matt Damon - a full three hours only on him in the Martian and it was spell -binding!

A list of Adam Driver's work should be sufficient evidence that he has NO movies that stand out and simply is too dull a character to make us buy tickets to see an Adam Driver movie.

But the biggest WORRY ........ He's the hero for HEAT 2 and MEGALOPOLIS - most eagerly awaited movies!

I have a sneaky suspicion how these two movies will fare!

Rise of the Nazis (2019–2023)

What a load of garbage! What a waste of time!

[2/10 · 6 March 2023]

This one's a shock to the system as far as documentary on nazis and world Wars are concerned. Dramatized, biased,made-up situations and dialogues, making-up situations which is clear to all concerned is just a second-guessing and not a fact written anywhere. Jumping of years for no reason at all and just felt like a school-play concised by the students themselves.

Being a war documentary fanatic,still completed the whole series and was left flabbergasted as to why this was difficult to make . This should've been hit out of the ball-park for a winner.

The panel of experts is a bit of a joke to which others have commented and their lack of factual knowledge is evident from the beginning. Their need or comical dramatics in less understood however!

There are some great documentaries on the same subject both from PBS and BBC and this one should be canned like the old film reels and buried somewhere along with the nazis!

God Forbid (2022)

Perfect example of a bad documentary sidetracked by agenda?

[2/10 · 5 December 2022]

Wanted to get docu on Jerry Falwell's scandal. This,however is a hit piece on Trump and his future. Even with that, it is so over-bloated with nonsense about the main players in the scandal that you cannot help but wonder if anyone bothered to edit this at all. Stay away. Just Google it instead of wasting 2 hours on this garbage!

Now IMDb insists on 600 characters which means I'm forced to tell you more on this pathetic piece of filming. There was simple story of a couple who faked a life when in reality they indulged in something altogether different. Simple plain scandal. Now see how some nut job can make a two hour political piece which most of us are not interested. We have News channels for politics and we're sick of it . Pure unadulterated garbage of a docu.

Windfall (2022)

Why was Lily Collins such an unlikebale character? Waht tone-deaf writing!

[5/10 · 12 August 2022]

Jason Segel is the writer and has written himself a nice all round good guy. But why make Lily Collins character so so unlikeable? A guy is pulling a gun and holding them hostage and she sides with that guy! The one time husband shows some initiative she blames her husband for doin that! The husband is made a cartoon villian and I understand that but why does the wife also have to be just a wokey,unlikeable always me...me..me character. She doesn't like her husband but hasn't walked out on him ...staying for the money or wahtever. Worst part, when the gardener dies, she goes and counsels the the robber ! Amazingly tone-deaf writing by Jason Segel who no doubt lives in asome wokey hollywood neighbourhood!

Too slow to be a suspense movie although some bits were alright.

The Execution (2021)

If you're a fan of Nordic Noir or Dark Korean films - this one's up your alley!

[8/10 · 17 April 2022]

I had seen both hollywood versions of the real story - both movies were a bit dull. This one though is on the veins of Nordi Noir and the real story the main spine of the story but there's more. The movie is dark,violent,talky,twisty and will hold your interest till the end provided you don't mind subtitles. Attention is needed at every stage as the story telling jumps beteen years but rest assured almost every question is answered by the end. It's a bit relentless although there were at least 3-4 occasions of dark humor. A lot of inspirations can be percieved in the movie from cinematography to camera angles,locations,etc with even a subtle but clear nod to the Korean 'Memories of Murder' (a VHS of the movie is shown as part of the story),Seven,Marshland, I saw the Devil,etc but that can only be a good thing considering the quality of those movies.

No hesitation in recommending this movie if you're into Nordic Noir or even dark,violent Korean films of the genre. Of the three movies based on the real Russian killer - this one ...for me ..hits the mark and stands independently as a very good thriller. Expect it to become a cult favourite.

Journeys to the Edge of Consciousness (2019)

Beautiful movie severely let down by a Political rant ! Why ??

[6/10 · 25 July 2021]

This is a lovely short documentary about a subject which is well known, popular and very much the topic of conversation for some of us.

But right in the middle of it, Dr Gabor Mate for some bizarre reason goes on a political rant about a President completely destroying the tone and message of the movie. There's so much hate still in Gabor and possibly the Director who chose not to edit this rant - it becomes difficult to believe these guys know what they're talking about or have glimpsed a view of the unknowable! How can you talk of Buddha and still be consumed with so much hate and spout so much nonsense? Wasn't the whole idea of awareness and consciousness to go above petty things AND understand the different choices people make? The politics,etc is not that important and it's all make-believe anyway like everything in this world. Obviously not for Dr Gabor Mate and I've heard similar politics spouted even by Jon Kabat-Zinn in some of his talks and I'm stumped. So these guys have never reached a better place at all? Why are they talking of mindfulness, awareness, consciousness and the lot when they're still wallowing in hatred? Let it go. Don't just preach follow your own advice. Be a better person.

Importantly why destroy a beautiful meditative piece of filming with filth which takes the viewer out of the reverie? Baffling indeed.

BAM: Builders of the Ancient Mysteries (2020)

Loved this ! Only if you are a fan of mysteries of the ancient.

[9/10 · 6 July 2021]

Firstly a big thank you! A lot of trouble taken to aggregate various ideas published elsewhere.

The director also assumes you are familiar with most ideas already online and hence won't go explaining these. While this good for some of us and not so for others. There are so many,many bits of info - you really needed a mini- series. That would also give time to the narrator to take time to narrate it rather than read it at speed at times! I found no problem with the accent at all - we live in the universal world and if you're having trouble, Lord...use subtitles! One reviewer switched off after 10 minutes - this subject really isn't for you,sweetheart! It is meant for those curious about the level of intelligence seen in the past ages and our own origins and trying to find a more plausible reason. No one expects the answers here - not suddenly after thousands of years on a dvd! It is only meant to stimulate your thoughts.

Will certainly watch for other projects in the future from this team. Make a mini-series and this time take your time. Anyways thanks guys!

Palm Springs (2020)

Is it that bad ? Why so many Fake reviews giving it 9/10 ?

[7/10 · 10 July 2020]

Always annoying when fans or film makers stuff the reviews with fake ones awarding it 9 or many times even a 10. Really...are the film makers so worried baout the movie ? Let it go. If it's good it'll stand the test. Particularly annoying are these guys who have never reviewed a movie in their life suddenly turn up to write one and award it a 9. No doubt soon, they'll hire established members to leave fake reviews - it's only a step away. The movie has good pre-release buzz...let it stand the test now.Don't muck it up guys!

Perry Mason (2020–2023)

What a disaster!

[2/10 · 28 June 2020]

Love Mathew Rhys.Loved him in Americans. But what made you agree to the teen aged writers idea of a Perry Mason series? This one's a colossal disaster in every way - completely forgetting it is a Perry Mason series.The writing,editing,characters,etc is so juvenile it is near botoom of the drain series trying to cash in on using Perry Mason name. No matter that none of the writers probably have evere read a Perry Mason novel (there are nearly 90 of them). I mean, Tom Cruise as Jack Reacher was miscast. But a supposedly tall,square-jawed, broad shouldered tough Defense Attorney does not in the least bit suit Rhys. Rhys...walk away from these jokesters and punch them on their face on your way out as Perry would have done!

Monos (2019)

All style no substance! This one's a stinker!

[5/10 · 19 January 2020]

Heard a lot about this movie and 'Bacurau' as great foreign movies coming from the Americas. Bacurau is good.period. Everything about that movie makes sense and conveys the deeper meanings splendidly. Monos however is a stinker sadly. Be very wary of the reviews on imdb. The cinematography is A+ and the music is appropriate. The rest is just the director being too aware of himself and trying to create a masterpiece. There's really no narrative,very hard to understand the story beyond the threadbare lines thrown at us. Lots of young kids making faces at the camera ,wearing make-up (a la Apocalypse Now) but here there's no point in wearing those black faces other than to pose for the camera - it has no bearing on the narrative. This is piffle of the highest calibre. It reminds you of some british movies just made for an award where it has everything but just doesnt gel together. In 'Monos' it is not even that - silly slow motion caps, sillier screams and shouts all to no avail - simply because there's no narrative. Watch 'Bacurau' - now that's a good movie!

Apocalypse Now (1979)

The most perfect version and superb on IMAX! A must-buy for fans!

[9/10 · 14 August 2019]

I don't rate a movie as a 10 but this is the closest I've come to doing that.

As someone who has watched the original, the redux and the 6 hour workprint versions, I can tell you this is the most perfect version of this classic. Firstly with Dolby atmos and 4K,it looks and sounds spectacular on IMAX save for the first 10 minutes for technical reasons,I'm told. This version is shorter than the redux but longer than the original at 183 minutes. But importantly, this is the most cohesive and watcher-friendly version.It is not just that some scenes were added but importantly a lot of small changes made to a lot of scenes which makes the narrative smoother and a very pleasing descent into the madness towards the end. This version makes the entire role of Bob Duvall so so clear and perfect;Brando is given exactly the right amount of scenes and the unnecessary scene with the playboy playmates included in the redux is axed which is perfect for the movie.The french plantation scene is included but edited and added to make it so much more coherent with the story. Some scenes at the last bridge on the river are also edited to show the madness but not drag the movie down. I cannot recommend more to buy this version for fans of this classic.This for me is a must-buy!

Chernobyl (2019)

A good attempt at documentary drama!

[8/10 · 18 June 2019]

This is a well written,well-acted and beautifully shot drama and one that would ring a bell in every one concerned with the planet. Not sure it deserves a 9.3 grade but certainly in the 8-9 region. Thank you also for a succinct look at the tragedy!

Dragged Across Concrete (2018)

Craig Zahler ! Dude you need to edit this and make it shorter by 15 minutes!

[7/10 · 4 April 2019]

Dude, Big fan of your first movie, liked your second movie but really feel you need to shorter this by 15-20 mins. This needs some pace to make it like your first movie, lean and thin. The characters much better developed in this story, the action is at times a bit more mainstream than say your Brawl in Cell Block. You could always release a Director's Cut with it's full length but for the theatre do us a favour and cut it a touch short! Looking forward to your next movie!

The Equalizer 2 (2018)

A superb thriller but not for John Wick Fans !

[8/10 · 7 November 2018]

This is a better sequel to the first one.It is superbly paced,at times deliberate and everything from the cinematography to music to acting are all in perfect tune. Some of the set pieces,particularly the climax are different and thrilling in a believable way! The quieter moments are very effective as well!

It reminds you of a similar Denzel movie (Man on Fire) but also has similarity to the Bourne movies in trying to make everything believable. Just as Bourne consults a map before driving out of town, the movie explains how Denzel comes to conclusions but within reason,considering it's an action movie after all. So, if you are looking for a John Wick -like movie (I loved them) with incessant mindless violence, you might feel let down a bit. What stuns me is how Antony Fuqua could make 'Magnificent Seven' with Denzel and at the same such superb and perfect thrillers like this movie and Training Day!!

Look forward for the next installment soon please!

The Conners (2018–2025)

Have you ever watched a TV series that deserved 10/10 ?????

[3/10 · 22 October 2018]

The series has a writing problem and the actors are not good enough to carry on a series on their own. Roseanne,however annoying had the confidence to pull of an average joke and make it feel bigger. This feels worse than Two and a Half Men without Charlie.

Lastly the fake reviews giving the sitcom 10/10 !!!!!!! Ever gave a sitcom that score ? Maybe Seinfeld came close at 9 . People STOP with FAKE REVIEWS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Invisible Guest (2016)

A definition of what a thriller should be!

[9/10 · 18 September 2018]

All hollywood directors should be asked to watch this spanish gem and learn the basics of story telling,editing ,music,etc of a mainstream thriller that thrills and keeps you on the edge of the seat. No matter the holes in the script or the acting,etc the whole package is a superb piece of film making and reminds you of some of the Korean classics in the genre. The director's previous attempts have been great but this one does it the best! Unmissable!

Once Upon a Time in Anatolia (2011)

A Classic!

[9/10 · 18 September 2018]

A classic from the first moment as it slowly,very slowly unwinds it's story of a killing in Anatolia. You understand and agree with the director that the story is secondary to the way of life,character,the peculiar way some things are conducted and ultimately that is what makes this a modern classic!

Be warned though,this is a slow,deliberate movie but superb for that reason!

American Animals (2018)

Good movie and nice format for a real story!

[8/10 · 18 September 2018]

As they all say Truth is stranger than fiction,the story of American Animals does what it is supposed to do .......start a discussion as to how stupid or wrong the plans of the perpetrators were. The film is told in a particular documentary style which is pleasing and similar to the director's previous effort, a far superlative and brilliant 'The Imposter'. Only grouse,possibly longer than it needs to be and hence about 10-15 minutes in the later stages of the movie which makes the mind wander. A good attempt nevertheless and entertaining!

Mandy (I) (2018)

A perfect 70's grindhouse movie!

[7/10 · 18 September 2018]

As a lot of reviewers have said.you'll like it or hate it. If you know what you are expecting, a sort of 70's style grindhouse movie with Nic Cage going nuts, then you get exactly what you expect. The OTT violence,multi coloured visuals,etc transform you to a different atmosphere and the director succeeds in that attempt. A drink in hand will go very well with this movie! :)

Counterpart (2017–2019)

Extremely good serial for the mainstream!

[8/10 · 18 September 2018]

This is a great addition to some masterful depictions of science fiction on TV in the last couple of years. JK Simmons is great as usual. It only pales in comparison to the very best in the genre such as 'Dark',etc. The acting by one of the main male character's a bit OTT and theatrical but very few complaints otherwise. Look forward to the next season.

Dark (2017–2020)

An absolutely superlative attempt at Science fiction!

[9/10 · 18 September 2018]

Coming along with 'Babylon in Berlin', this serial is a superb example of how the genres of science fiction,thriller,horror,etc can be expertly combined in a whole lot of theory that makes it believabale ! This is a dark,stark but expertly written,directed and photographed serial which deserves its next season! Bravo!

Babylon Berlin (2017–2025)

Clearly one of the BEST on TV - But who directed the second finale?

[9/10 · 14 May 2018]

This is undoubtedly one of the best TV you'll come across. The story,acting,characters,music,gorgeous cinematography,editing,etc is beyond most things ever seen on TV. Clearly a lot of reviewers agree and I won't waste time on that. My only grouse is the direction of the finale of the second season.It is very good but completely out of tune with a superb second season.The editing is odd,the sketches include some scenes which stretch your belief, when the best part of Babylon was that most of the story looks and feels believable and hence very involving. No one who likes Transformers is watching this and the need to make characters magically appear somewhere with no logic was not needed. But congratulations and thank you for providing an outstanding TV series.

Taboo (2017)

TOM HARDY needs to stop POSING and start acting! What a Let Down!

[7/10 · 14 May 2018]

The series had great reviews and was keen to watch this. But after a good start,what a let down. Firstly,if Tom Hardy is serious about getting an award,he should stop posing and just be the character or in other words act. What's the point of both the script and dialogues of promising so much for the character but nothing happens other than Tom trudging along walkways,etc.For all the talk of devil himself or even the montages of devil ,nothing happens...its a dud. The story does not have enough meat on it for even a mini series. The same locations are repeated a hundred times and the dialogues are atrocious at times. Importantly the supporting character roles are not strong enough or even interesting for us to care or even for them to bounce of the hero. This is one average series when it had promised to deliver so much much more. TOM HARDY - get rid of the silly hats,silly get-ups and nutty expressions and stop posing for the camera.Just be the character and you are too good to throw away your talent like this!

Revenge (II) (2017)

New Genre!! - Slasher movie that is a Gay Man's Delight!

[6/10 · 11 May 2018]

This is as European as you can get with a slasher movie (many similar movies seen in the past). As most European movies are these days (Even Gaspar Noe's infamous 'Love' had only topless female nudity and just dicks in closeups,squirting,etc) ,it is a gay's christmas delight. The lead actor seems to have been picked solely for his fitness and readiness to go completely stark naked (for the last 40 minutes of the movie).Funnily,the other male actors look normal unlike the model-body,six-pack leading actor.The female nudity is limited to fleeting topless and one rear-nudity shot.This is so sexploitative that at times it is stunning and actually distracts the viewer from the movie.French are obsessed with the male genitals and here you have it all in its glory for such a lengthy time.

Having said that it is an effective thrillers with the leading lady very good in the role.If swinging dicks disturb your senses,watch the movie after a drink!!