vweisman Reviews

Ferrari (2023)

LOOOONG. BOOOORING, Unappealing Characters

[1/10 · 27 May 2024]

OMG! I don't know if Enzo Ferrari was an extremely unpleasant person as well as having no discernible redeeming qualities or if it's just the script.

There were holes in the script that were big enough to drive an Aston Martin through. Penelope Cruz was shamefully pigeonholed into the role of the unrelentingly miserable wife of Enzo. It's a credit to her skill that she managed to wedge some humanity into Laura's 1 1/2 dimensional character. His mother pops up like a decrepit Greek chorus to drop equally morbid bon mots for no particular reason.

Lina is also vapid and constantly frowning. What in the world attracted her to him? We'll never find out from this movie! Enzo appears to be sociopathic such as when an aspiring driver, whom Enzo has been rejecting relentlessly, comes to the track just in time for Enzo's current driver to die in an accident they both witness. Enzo tells the new guy to come to the office on Monday.

The landscapes are beautiful but who really cares? We don't care about or learn anything about the other drivers except for Alfonso. We don't learn anything about the competition with Maserati that starts the movie.

It's as if the main story is happening 48 degrees to the right of all the scenes being filmed. You know there is SOMETHING going on but you can't figure out what it is from the movie.

Ugh. Hours of my like I'll never get back wasted on this awful movie.

Argylle (2024)

Idiotic Garbage

[1/10 · 20 April 2024]

I CANNOT imagine HOW MUCH they paid these top notch actors to participate in this excrement. It is nonsensical, boring, offensive, and just a waste of time. It seems like someone threw the scripts of 4 mediocre movies up in the air and then gathered them together at random. This is how much sense this movie makes. Small spoiler: she "ice skates" on crude oil using Bowie knife blades She embeds in the Doc Martins she never put on. The pretexts are disgusting and truly nauseating. It is trying to imitate much better movies and jumbles up 97 tropes from terrible films and TV shows augmented by ridiculous CGI. I regret EVERY SECOND I spent watching this piece of garbage.

Deadloch (2023– )

LOVED THIS SHOW SO MUCH! MORE SEASONS PLEASE!!

[10/10 · 2 August 2023]

The characters are so well written! The scripts are hilarious albeit with a great deal of very dark humor. If you are overly sensitive (politically/religiously conservative), you probably can't handle this. My husband and I laughed so much! Such a terrific send up of the tropes that are the basis of most cop shows. The satire is very subtle in some cases and laugh out loud obvious in others.

I am PRAYING Amazon ordered more episodes! I would LOVE to see Dulcie, Eddie, Abby, and Sven again! They laid down a fantastic foundation with really original characters who are multi-dimensional and each interesting in their own right.

The People We Hate at the Wedding (2022)

Sorry I wasted the time watching this.

[1/10 · 3 December 2022]

Why? Why? Why? Why? Did these great actors agree to be in this awful film?!?! One dimensional characters with no redeeming qualities ruin a family member's wedding for their own narcissistic baloney reasons. There are literally no reasons why we can like any character except for, maybe, the neurotic mom. And they are all abusing the older sister because she has money and they're insecure. Plus there is an unnecessarily offensive scene that disrespects new mothers and shows such horrendous behavior as somehow "justified". And a stupid freak out over something completely ridiculous detail.

So sorry I wasted any time watching this.

The MatchMaker (1997)

So Fantastic!!!

[10/10 · 29 September 2022]

I truly cannot understand why this movie has not gotten more attention. It's hysterically funny and still just as relevant today, from a political perspective, as it was back then. It's masterfully acted by everyone involved and it's romantic without being schmaltzy. Unfortunately, I have to pull out my old DVD if I want to see it because it's never shown on any cable or streaming services. It's a sin because it's so fantastic!

Janeane Garofalo is the perfect combination of Snark and sweet. Dennis Leary is so perfectly cast as the cutthroat political consultant. It's so refreshing to see the Irish characters pushing back against the political posturing. And it's amazing that you come to care for so many of the characters so quickly.

It's really worth ordering the DVD if that's the only way for you to see it.

The Queen's Gambit (2020)

Fantastic and I don't even play chess!

[9/10 · 10 November 2020]

Loved this series. It has rich character development and a compelling story that moves through the main character's childhood and early adulthood very fluidly. The sets, locations and clothes are spot on. Just a fantastic viewing experience. Wish it hadn't ended!

The Italian Job (2003)

Fab-u-lous!!!

[10/10 · 27 May 2012]

This movie is on my "Bucket List" of best movies ever. When my kids are old enough to handle it, this movie will be required viewing. Every time it pops up on the movie guide, I can't resist watching it. I should share the fact that I enjoy movies that provide entertainment. Do I notice some goofs and factual errors, absolutely! Do I care? No! Here are the facts about this movie from my perspective.

Rock solid character development and story line. Story is simplistic, characters have fairly 2 dimensional development and it all requires some suspension of disbelief. If you don't like this, watch a *&%$#@& documentary.

This plot offers classic characters from Greek tragedies and Shakespeare. The thief with a heart, the thief with a heart who is going straight after this last job, the heart breaker thief, the geek thief, the brilliant thief with a chip, the scum thief who betrays everything and everyone. Then, as added spice you have the straight laced daughter who goes rogue to avenge her father. Lastly, this is the story that illustrates the edict of "Honor among thieves." All these thieves band together to pursue the thief who has violated this sacrosanct honor.

I LOVE the relationships in this movie. That is what makes me watch the film time and time again. All these characters are so attractive and conflicted. I love how they interact with each other. Naturally, they complement each other, but the beauty of this screenplay is how they enrich each other in the one-on-one interactions. There is good natured teasing between Charlie, Rob, Left Ear, and Lyle. Gradually, Stella is allowed into this "boys club", but with respect for her skills and contribution not because she is just a pretty face.

Honestly, this is the movie that makes me want to embark on a life of crime. If I could find partners like Charlie, Stella, Rob, Left Ear and Lyle, I would be willing to consider high stakes theft! Please, people, this is movie making at its summit. If you love deliberate suspension of disbelief, watch this movie. Just enjoy the artistry of the story/character development and the craftsmanship of the actors and directors.

Star Wars: The Legacy Revealed (2007 TV Movie)

Truly Fantastic!

[10/10 · 17 August 2010]

I DVR'd this documentary for my son who is Star Wars crazy, but watched it to make sure the content was appropriate. Well! I could not stop watching it and then I made my husband sit down and watch it as well. I am a fan of the Star Wars movies and pretty informed. They were an integral part of my childhood. I must admit that I was less enamored of the first episodes than I was of IV-VI. HOWEVER, this documentary explained the genesis (I use that word deliberately)of those stories in such a way that I need to see them again to view them through this new filter.

Ken Burns is such an amazing film maker and this is no exception. I was FASCINATED by the historical, cultural and religious connections he drew between the Star Wars characters and stories. It reinforces why the series has such a profound effect on our culture even to this day. I remember standing in line for hours to see Episode IV in Westwood, CA. Now I am watching it again with my children and seeing it through their eyes as I first saw it, but also as an adult with a much more informed eye thanks to this documentary.

I would really like to purchase the documentary, but can't seem to find it. Is it available for purchase?