emaybb95 Reviews

Velma (2023– )

Rough start, but so much potential.

[7/10 · 28 September 2023]

I get there's a lot of hate, the Scooby franchise is literally worshipped by some, but it's honestly not THAT bad of a show.

The issue with Velma is the start is like a slap in the face. The writers took the shock therapy route to make it clear that this show is vastly different from previous instalments in the franchise. The first few episodes were a meagre 4-5* rating from me.

It's unfortunately not until episode 7 (of 10) when it feels like a fun Scooby show. Not only are the last 4 episodes way more fun, the writing and pacing is unrecognisably better than the start of the show. This turning point also marks when the show refocuses on the mystery at hand whilst sneaking in a plethora of smile-inducing nods to the previous Scooby-Doo shows.

I honestly loved the last few episodes so much that I bumped by rating up to a 7/10.

If the show get another season (and that's a big IF), I sincerely hope they continue with the same direction/writing/energy from the end of the first attempt. As a fan of scooby doo, I am so excited to see how they do the next part of the Mystery Gang's beginnings.

No Time to Die (2021)

Surprisingly nuanced

[7/10 · 13 October 2021]

A much more emotionally charged bond adventure than we've previously seen. Great fun and adds a new dimension to the many loved characters of the franchise.

I wasn't as blown away by the IMAX scenes as I hoped, but still a thoroughly enjoyable film!

8/10 (It lost a star for infuriatingly obvious product placement.)

I Care a Lot (2020)

Not a generic "good vs bad" narrative

[8/10 · 4 March 2021]

Congratulations, another film that completely steers away from the tiresome "good vs evil" formula that is constantly shoved down our throats! J Blakeson has given us an intruiging tale which is a fun ride that manages to be unpredictable throughout. THIS is the type of writing Hollywood should use, NOT using the same character arcs and narrative structures for over a century.

I mostly blame Hollywood's horrifically generic film formulas for the vast amount of 1-star reviews that complain they disliked the main character and/or they didn't know who to "root for". A story does not require an antagonist, so why should it require a Protagonist? Also, you don't need to "like" a character to be excited to see what happens next: American Psycho, a Clockwork Orange, Filth (2013, with James McAvoy), One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (and Netflix' recent prequel, Ratched) are just a few examples of brilliant films with bad people as the main characters. (Writing this, I notice another connection is they are all based on books, a platform slightly more liberated from the rules of following a strict narrative formula.)

Another reason for low ratings is the Comedy label. This is clearly a dark-comedy, not a laugh-out-loud or slapstick film... Why can't people understand there is more than one type of comedy?

To be honest, I'm only writing this review because I was somewhat irked by the copious amount of low ratings from people who clearly only enjoy simple, predictable schlock that passes 90 minutes of their time. If they get to complain, so do I! I've now run out of steam and can't be bothered to vent anymore... so in conclusion: I thought this was a brilliant film with brilliant twists and turns, great acting and (surprisingly) incredible cinematography - but that's just my opinion. If you haven't seen it yet, quit reading reviews and just watch it. It's the same as any movie, you'll either like it, not like it, or ponder the ideas and themes presented within - or maybe all three?