kindredparadox Reviews

Innocent Vengeance (2023)

3 stars for passing my time

[1/10 · 24 February 2023]

A man whose family killed during house robbery, got to meet the robbers after 2 years. During the first encounter, what is the spontaneous urge? Nothing other than killing for sure?

Too many coincidences. The story and plots are too common. They were recycled from many film of the same genre and with even lower quality and details. The same vengeance story with nothing new. I guess it was good just to spend brainless time. Don't expect an original plots or surprises, cause this was just a neat plots without improvisation. Not bad actors, but sometimes too much act probably from mediocre script.

A Spy Among Friends (2022)

Ironic Friendship

[7/10 · 13 December 2022]

A cheerful music in different context will appear sad.

Somehow a contrast of a traitor to a country vs to a friend. Both intelligence officers, Elliott never knew that his best friend Philby is a spy, for more than 20 years.

For me, it's hard not to notice that both main actors, who excel being an antagonistic character could both act as Philby the double agent. Interestingly in this one, Damian Lewis became the lesser evil. But this difference can be notice that, they are suitable for each role in the last episode.

The thing is, if you are not the hard core fan of spy drama, it will be hard to enjoy A Spy Among Friends. Pay attention to Drama keyword, because it's very different with Spy Action one. I would not say you must pay close attention while watching A Spy Among Friends, because I don't think the Series is that hard to digest. I would not say also that the Series is highly rewarding, because much of them are subtle. Also with a subtle ending, giving some vibes, I just wish the process had been more magical atmosphere given somehow more often monotonous.

In the end it's almost a story that try to explore the friendship with unusual situation as the foundation for that relationship. Ah, the irony.

Poker Face (2022)

From an Ambitious One to Coincidences One

[2/10 · 21 November 2022]

So a group of friends have been playing poker for a long time, from since they're teens. They meet regularly to play the game. Now they are adults with different professions. Now their last game will be different. Of course with super added coincidences.

It has a central trick of screenplay to make this plot work, which I don't have to tell you what is that. But that cheap trick to make the plot works become useless because after it works, there are no more honest intelligent plots development. It's like then they're just smart anecdotes after anecdotes we feel not genuine we've seen many times.

And the coincidences, well let's just say we can ignore if all else are good. This movie makes me remind to be amazed of many other simpler movies that can glue me to the screen, as somehow like magic.

Mr. Harrigan's Phone (2022)

I've read the book

[3/10 · 7 October 2022]

Not a horror.

I sure know what an horror is and this is surely not one. Not even close.

This makes me thinking about how do you get into wanting to watch a movie. Two ways: either someone told you the movie is good, or the short intro about the movie (or trailer) is very enticing. It is the latter.

Not every filmmakers always want to make a masterpiece anyway. You know what it is they want.

Reading the short story feels like reading a coming-of-age story. And the little bit supernatural parts just plots to keep that coming-of-age story going.

That story are too long, it's like preparing you for a novel, but of course it isn't.

I know you're wondering about the difference between the book and the movie. There's no difference. Same progression, from how the kid making connection with the old billionaire, until his demise, but somehow still powerfully have a super ability from no obvious reason.

Almost like a modern parable. Man, how flexible is an horror genre. To just turn into a moral one.

Panhandle (2022)

I only watch show that have chemistry with me

[2/10 · 3 October 2022]

The point is finding main male character's deceased wife's killer. There are many banter or scenes between main male and main female. The male cannot really go outside his house, but go out nonetheless. The female, a traffic police, tempted to step up her job to investigate. Thus leveraged by the smartness of the male and his desire to find the killer.

This is truly a comedy detective show. Although there is no chemistry between the show and me, but that just my subjective view. I'm yet to finding a scene that trigger my focus. The show's light, yet logically constructed.

My watch history: season 1 episode 1 and episode 2.

The Forgiven (III) (2021)

Not Enough

[3/10 · 21 September 2022]

Too simple. Too many unnecessary scenes to make-up over simplicistic plots.

It seems the protagonist purposely accept and asking for his destiny although that just the opposite of his character, with corny progress. I guess that's the moral of the story.

I like his condescending look, kind of similar with the natural cast of Ralph. With almost knowing of how it's all gonna end, makes the movie purposeless even disappointing, also ironically bland if the end will be the other way. So after all, scenes can be reimagined by more dramatic. Because style over dramatization is failing for this movie.

American Gigolo (2022)

I will be surprised if there's season 2

[3/10 · 18 September 2022]

First of all, notice the keyword "reimagine", so that's why if you curious to watch the movie (if you haven't), which you will, it'll ruin your perception through their vastly difference between the series and the movie, making you being over-analytical.

Thus my experience of watching the series is there a feeling unnatural to it, sometimes flimsy. There is simplicity in the movie before developing to a little bit more complicated. It should stay that way.

There are many more puzzles, more plots in the series than the movie. But I'm unconvinced by its exaggerations over everything.

I'm at episode 2.

Chloe (2022)

Dull Episode 1

[2/10 · 26 February 2022]

This is ultimately boring. There is no amount of good plots can save an already boring story. Can't get through to episode 2 for another dull time, even though I don't know yet. I was interested with the synopsis, then I wondered if this is a non-executable idea.

The Fear Index (2022)

Much ado about nothing

[4/10 · 16 February 2022]

If you wish to see a man got tense and frustrated, look like a moron over all 4 episodes; then try watching this. The man looked confused throughout over univariated thing which make it less than interesting. Kinda too bad, that a story with such a good promise, went into brainless dribble.

Photocopier (2021)

Forced Idea, Well Executed

[6/10 · 16 January 2022]

Sur lost her scholarship, because her indecent photos went online. She launched an investigation to clear her name.

This is a good addition to the Indonesian movies scene. Nevertheless some things are getting old, yet with the inclusion of fresh infusion.

Not oblivious of the obvious holes in the plots with splashes of unrealistic conditions; The idea of Photocopier is kind of forced, but it is a well executed one.

It has more potential to be developed even further to be a greater one as mini series. Even more ironic is the alleged controversy around one of the Photocopier's writer. This could be the cost of that of greatness.

The Shrink Next Door (2021)

Target Audience

[7/10 · 25 December 2021]

We will be seeing how psychotherapist misused friendship and his prerogative power when apparent interpersonal situation like this miniseries not often appears.

This is a more interesting than a too bad to see that this miniseries missed its target audiences. Why? The two main characters are played by two figure very publicly known for their comedy portraits. When a dark comedy so subtle like this actually becomes a show, only people who can relate can enjoy this show, as sometimes it is intoxicating to watch. Well, if you can feel a disgust by the the therapist character, then you can "enjoy" this show. Well, it's lucky, it's not Paul Rudd first show as an actor, as he has been usually played a likeable characters. Because if he did vice versa, we'll have hard time to see him as comedian.

The Last Son (2021)

Western as a medium for something else

[6/10 · 14 December 2021]

Cursed that he will be killed by one of his son. Which causes him to search for them, to kill them

And that is why the story is ridiculous for one. Who are the parents who will kill their own kids. Start a film like this, is just the thing that prepare you to feel something is off. Nevertheless, it's not the point I would like to make.

You can't look at this movie normally. Not a story, but more of a tale, if you can spot the difference. Because the story can't be enjoyed normally the way we usually immersed inside a world of fiction.

It's an arthouse film. Ironically a retro, and if you think western film is a time before the retro time, you're right. I don't know why they chose western to present this tale, because the style is modern all over. An eerie retro arthouse style, to sum up. It's okay to watch this in home when you're bored and just want something for a change of scene.

Clickbait (2021)

We'll be out of story by the end of 21st Century

[2/10 · 17 September 2021]

A good man abducted. Video of himself with he holding sign that he abuse woman is made available online and upon reaching 5m views, he will be killed.

Far-fetched plot and with characters over-dramatized over small stuff just to make the plot going. You can spot those on the early and last episodes. Nevertheless, only the whodunit element that will make you still watch it, and surprise that you will by the end, but also disappointing with the far-fetching revelation. I was click baited.

Sweetness in the Belly (2019)

Poetic irony

[4/10 · 21 August 2021]

Lovers separated by civil war, a woman in the UK try to find the man who may still be in Ethiopia.

It's not really suitable for a film. Even I know this even I haven't read the book. After a while, your brain will turn to irony mode, as you become aware that the story is full of it, as it is the theme.

It has becoming common plot nowadays, although the background story is a smart one.

Josée (2020)

A Longing Mental Picture in a Realistic World

[10/10 · 20 August 2021]

Boy helps disabled girl who fell from her wheelchair. Girl paybacks with cooked food in her house. That's how they meet.

Realism. That is what in the writer mind to be realized. Girl is a fragile mind. Boy is a non confrontational. Both characters hinder what could have been.

Maybe I will not conform to the mass, by saying this one is very well paced. Not as slow as most people think. It's because almost every scenes speak to how I felt in those situations. So when those were added to the build up to monumental scenes. They're just heart touching.

Un dimanche matin (2012)

Short review for...

[5/10 · 19 August 2021]

...a short film:

The synopsis in main page is longer than the film.

If only a story like this could be a film. We all be filmmakers.

There will be 1 in a million people that would appreciate this, not as film though.

Lisey's Story (2021)

Whose favorite?

[1/10 · 3 July 2021]

Every time new series came out. The writer always said that this one is their favorite.

Z (1969)

Can some director remake this good political idea film

[3/10 · 26 June 2021]

Not very near and by the end of Z, there exists little bit excitement, but throughout oh how this feels like documentary. Talk over talk without stopping, like a procedural steps of something for us to learn. First time I have to agree to disagree 165 degree with critics and reviewers.

Grace and Grit (2021)

No longer can ignore death, pay attention to life

[7/10 · 5 June 2021]

Treya and Ken fall in love and got married. 10 days after, Treya diagnosed with breast cancer, until her death 5 years later

This movie is about death, really. It starts very cheesy, like they're amaze with each other extravagantly, really? Then it begins to move to an alternating hope and hopeless between all treatments procedure available

All deaths are affecting to us, even to anyone not close to us. I really believe this is relevant to us. Me, especially, just experiencing of my girlfriend ex husband passed away today. Even though we never talked, I feel the grief. Sometimes the imagination just took over with me to become in her position

Recognizing the difference of Treya's death and my girlfriend ex's death makes me realize death more. Because with my gf ex, as it was from stroke, the death come only weeks and he gave no word at all, as he could not speak anymore.

Citizen X (1995 TV Movie)

Introducing a Serial Killer to Russia

[7/10 · 21 May 2021]

A serial killer keeps killing year after year. Burakov (Rea) devoted completely himself to catch the serial killer

Early part of Citizen X felt amateurish. Slowly develop to become worthy of your attention. Much involved in the interactions of people who on the side of catching the serial killer. It's like an introduction to Criminal Minds series, because of the methods that they are beginning to use. "There is no serial killer in Russia," said one of them who only care about his position in the government. We could catch the serial killer in 5 minutes of the Criminal Minds show's duration using status quo method, but in which case more than an hour of Citizen X's time. But these are what make Citizen X interesting.

Penelope (2018)

What?

[1/10 · 19 May 2021]

It follows Penelope, student by day, party girl by night

But, that's it Little more or less for an hour long film

Everything else, if there is, too blurry to be meaningful at all. Symbolism? Orpheus?

Endless Love (1981)

The boy is selfish & childish

[3/10 · 9 May 2021]

David (Martin Hewitt) and Jade (Brooke Shields) fall in love with each other. When Jade's father feels their relationship affecting Jade's school grade, he made rule to separate them for a month

When David feels want it, David sleep over at Jade's room and made sex until morning, so Jade is sleepy inside school class? David play with fire and burned down Jade's house, when her father stop them to see each other just until school exam? It almost feels like the director really hate the boy character in the book, but then the actors are beautiful, nevertheless is the point. I am only partly remember, but probably the newer version of Endless Love is better and more believable. Plus, you wouldn't believe when you see Tom Cruise, he could make it beyond this film.

The Elegant Life of Mr. Everyman (1963)

Prepare yourself drinks first

[6/10 · 1 May 2021]

Is this film is the story of Eburi or his whole small family? What is the story? An ordinary life of Eburi?

It's a story in the style of a comedy. Since it's so subtle, you should really pay attention of how it's presented. The language barrier does not help either. Most of the duration of the film was told in narrative style. Eburi is a drinker. He would tell stories in drunken states. More than half of the times, the dialogs was not that interesting. It is also the fact that most of the dialogs was a narration. There are points to be made and slick styles in this film. I guess, to truly enjoy his narration, we should also be drinking. Otherwise you must accept the suspension of fun. I'm sure that if The Elegant Life of Mr. Everyman is a novella, it will be a fun read. Catch the irony?

Killing Michael Jackson (2019 TV Movie)

Clearly murder," they said?

[7/10 · 30 April 2021]

When Michael Jackson was found dead in his mansion, people are trying to determine his death as murder or anything but murder

This is a quick one, whether it is suitable for your watching or not, it depends whether you just want to know the part about his death, then this documentary is for you. Because more of this documentary is from the perspective of the detectives, then that is what you get. How you'll see the pressure of people and to prove that the doctor is guilty. Killing Michael Jackson somehow has a way to make you form an opinion yourself about the doctor, who's in charge of the killing. The question would be, what more the doctor could do to anticipate Michael Jackson death? Is the doctor is fully responsible for Michael Jackson death?

Dead Places (2021– )

After two episodes: Nothing new

[4/10 · 23 April 2021]

Episode 1: After being followed by a ghost, Kelly asked Will's help to investigate the ghost to stop haunting her

Episode 2: a room inside a mansion is haunted and killed many people who have tried to expel the unseen thing which live inside the room

Will is a successful author in the paranormal genre. Having expertise and resourceful, he tries to help people who afflicted with these supernatural problems. Which also become the material for his books

Episode 1 is very, very standard horror story, to the point that even you could make this story. And it's still not improving in episode 2. FYI, I haven't watched 3rd episode.