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Reviews
The Bear: Forks (2023)
Absolutely stunning
Ok, I get it now. Before this episode, I didn't really see what all the fuss was about; I thought the show was ok, but nothing to write home about. However this episode is one of the best pieces of television I've seen in some time. Even better that I'm binging it, and it contrasted so starkly against the chaos of the previous episode. Transformation/redemption of a character can be tricky to sell without being corny - this was done perfectly.
I hope this tone continues through the rest of the season.
(And now I really have a craving for deep dish - not likely to be fulfilled any time soon as I live in the UK!)
Road House (2024)
Please never cast McGregor again
The first half of this movie ok. No better, just ok. Gyllenhal carries it with reasonable acting (admittedly I'm not a fan of his) and the remake resists the temptation to regurgitate the classic "I though he'd be bigger" of the original with a few mildly amusing instances of people looking him up and down - we know what they're thinking.
Then Conor McGregor turns up and provides the worst acting you'll have ever seen. I'm not kidding - your 4-yr old cast as a sheep in the nativity was probably more worthy of an Oscar. What's worse, is Gyllenhal seems to catch "bad acting syndrome" from McGregor and the whole thing becomes irredeemable.
Avoid.
Rebel Moon - Part One: A Child of Fire (2023)
Not the epic space opera I hoped for.
I wanted to love this. Despite not being a massive fan of Zack Snyder, the first trailer made me think something great was coming. The second trailer dampened my enthusiasm slightly, as the visuals were classicly Snyder - too much green screen done in a way which to me looks more like cells from a comic book with not enough effort to make it look realistic; maybe that's the point. I felt the same way about 300, Justice League, etc. The movie looks like this all the way through, with additional visuals such as blurring around characters in early scenes.
But the real problem with this film is the writing. What little plot development there is does nothing to develop the characters, or build a world which draws you in.
Someone in another review here describes it as "soulless". I can't believe I've never though of it before but that perfectly encapsulates this, and all of Snyder's work.
I'll probably watch the sequel in April, as it effectively costs me nothing. But I would not pay to see it in the cinema were that the only way.
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023)
It's ok, but a far cry from the original films.
First off, I haven't read the book. So I've nothing to be disappointed about in its adaptation.
This is an "ok" film, which suffers from comparison to its predecessors. What it does well, is an interesting portrayal of Snow's journey and descent into the man we see in the originals. Unfortunately, the lead female will suffer from an inevitable and unfavourable comparison to Jennifer Lawrence. It feels like she was cast solely for her singing ability which is impressive, but unfortunately her acting skills lag far behind. Perhaps it's the writing, and the book character is the same, but there is nothing endearing about her.
Maybe there will be more content, maybe not. I'd possibly be interested in seeing an earlier story depicting the war, but probably not more from these characters.
All the Light We Cannot See (2023)
A wonderful way to spend a wet winter afternoon
On hearing this was to be filmed by Netflix, I elected not to read the book. All too often I have been disappointed by adaptations, so was able to go into this with no expectations. I thoroughly enjoyed all four episodes.
I can't put my finger on exactly why this moved me so much; perhaps it's due to parallels with certain events going on in the world right now, but rarely have I been so emotionally affected by a TV show.
What I know is that I will certainly read the book. If it's better, great. If it's just as good, still great. But I'm glad I could view the adaptation with no preconceptions to be spoiled.
Heart of Stone (2023)
When you order Mission Impossible on Wish.com
This is truly terrible. Gal Gadot plays a female Ethan Hunt wannabe and, while there's no harm in that concept, it needs to be backed up with credible effects/stunts. Unfortunately, along with the writing, directing and acting, the stunts in this movie are not even remotely convincing. It starts with a bad speedflying/speed riding scene, and don't get me started on the wingsuit nonsense.
What I loved about the new Mission Impossible was the "almost" believable stunts. What I disliked most about this was the absurdity of everything Gal Gadot's character did.
Come on Netflix, you can do better - I hope.
Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One (2023)
Tom Cruise does Tom Cruise
Whatever you think of him as a person, Tom Cruise knows how to make a blockbuster movie. Is there any requirement for him to do his own stunts? No. Could someone else have done them cheaper, and quicker? Probably. But he's Tom Cruise, has Tom Cruise money and influence, so does whatever he wants in this industry.
And it works. The motorbike base jump makes absolutely no sense in the context of the film, but it's a glorious, old-fashioned, practical stunt with minimal use of CGI.
I'm bored of Marvel's 2hrs of green screen - give me more like this. Tom, please go on being Tom Cruise for many more years.
The Mandalorian: Chapter 22: Guns for Hire (2023)
Awful filler episode
Absolutely no point to the first 2/3rds of this episode. Characters introduced are annoying (especially the cameo) and serve no purpose to the overall plot of the series. The tone feels completely wrong, and at odds with almost everything we've enjoyed from the Mandalorian so far.
The final act is decent, and advances the story arc slightly. However I can't see why this could not have been done in a more interesting manner, for the same pay off.
This has been the weakest season so far, and this by far the weakest episode. Hopefully the final two can provide some redemption; the show deserves better than this.
She-Hulk: Attorney at Law: Ribbit and Rip It (2022)
A glimpse of what this show could have been
There we go. The moment we've all been waiting for, and suffering through this show to see. The return of Daredevil was very well executed; yes, the tone is different to the Netflix show, but it worked - Charlie Cox is still excellent in this role.
But although he was the obvious highlight, he did not completely steal the show - She-Hulk was actually an enjoyable character to watch this week! This, however, serves to further highlight the failings of previous episodes. This episode gave us the show we wanted to see. Keep this level up and there's hope for redemption. If there's is a second season, perhaps they'll take into account these episode ratings.
Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)
Polarising
I suspect that if you 'get' this film, you'll love it. If you don't 'get' it, you'll find it quite painful to watch. I didn't get it.
Yes, it's an assault on the senses and those describing it as an acid trip are likely quite correct. But for me, those are not positive qualities.
Severance (2022)
Wonderfully weird, captivating.
The best thing I've watched on TV since Westworld season 1, or perhaps even the early seasons of Lost. This should be enjoyed completely unspoiled - cannot wait for season 2.
After Life (2019)
Gervais' best work
This series is full of the brash, crass, comedy you expect from Ricky Gervais. But also, the most perfect representation of the deepest and darkest human emotions we all feel but talk about all too little.
It's blunt, it's true, it's funny, and most of all it's wonderfully uplifting.
No Time to Die (2021)
A Bond movie fit for it's time.
So many complaints that it doesn't fit the template of a Bond film. Ok, perhaps it doesn't, but even though I'm a huge Bond fan, I'm ok with that - in fact, perhaps I liked it all the more for that very reason.
The classic Bonds are still a great watch, but you cannot help yourself feeling that they are relics of a bygone era; a modern Bond film needs a little more emotional depth, which is what they have created here.
Is it perfect? No. Rami Malek is criminally underused as the villain, which I was truly disappointed by. But Craig's farewell is a fitting one. He ranks right up there with the best to play the character.
Tenet (2020)
Only Nolan makes films like this
It isn't perfect, but that's ok. What it is, is the cinematic experience going to the movies should feel like. Nolan's imagination and ambition is a gift to us all.
Cursed (2020)
It gets better
I was almost ready to give up after episode 1, however I stuck with it. It is flawed, and perhaps disappointing, but it definitely improves as it goes on.
If it gets renewed by Netflix, I sincerely hope they pay for better writers, as the series deserves it.
Uncut Gems (2019)
What is this???
I've switched very few films off in my life but I only lasted 40 mins into this.
There seems to be no real plot, other than Sandler's constant stupidity, and not a single likeable character on the screen.
Avoid.
Jack Whitehall: Travels with My Father (2017)
Michael Whitehall for Prime Minister
Yes, it's clear much of this is scripted, however that doesn't detract. Jack Whitehall is an amusing comedian, however his father Michael is a revelation - he is the true star of this series and, arguably, the funniest man on Netflix.
Game of Thrones: The Iron Throne (2019)
Rushed, misjudged, disappointing.
I think the best comparison of season 8 is with Lost. Where Lost was one of the first shows to suffer from internet fans predicting the plot/ending and seemed unsure how to see it through once this happened, GoT did the opposite; unfortunately the result is a mess, in which no character feels to have had the end of their arc developed competently in the final season.
I'm not condemning the final result, simply the way it got there. A mere 6 episodes forced everything to happen far too quickly; the Night King's demise seemed only to serve to make us need the spin-off series in order to tell his story properly; Danaerys going mad and being killed by Jon Snow was tragic, yet they could not devote more than a few minutes screen time to it etc.
Part of me is cynical enough to believe that, once they had overtaken the books, Martin stopped helping in the knowledge that many people would turn to the books (if they are ever finished) to obtain a satisfying resolution, once HBO screwed up what is arguably the best show in TV history.
1 star for the dragon burning the throne, 1 star for Jon's reunion with Ghost, and 1 star for Peter Dinklage - the only person who's character has been well-written this season.
The Dirt (2019)
Terrible adaptation of a crazy book
I remember reading the book about 10 years ago and loving it - this adaption does not do it justice. It rushes the story, changes parts of the narrative, and misses some of the craziest, most debauched stories altogether.
Now I get that they may have missed out some parts to avoid offending people to the point that viewers turn off, but if your making a Motley Crue movie you really shouldn't hold back.
I've added two stars purely out of respect for the music.
Captain Marvel (2019)
Excellent. One of the best Marvel instalments yet.
There are many reviews on here which criticise the lack of spectacle, poor writing, and predictability of this film, however I cannot help feel they're missing the point. We all knew this was 2 things: a setup for Endgame, and Marvel's attempt at a successful lead in answer to DC's Wonder Woman.
In the first, it succeeds. I'm excited to see how Captain Marvel helps solve the problem leftover from Infinity War.
In the second however, it exceeded my expectations entirely. The true beauty of this film is that it's a film made with a feminist agenda by someone who doesn't actually seem to hate men. It's about empowering women by virtue of their own ability; showing what they can achieve simply by themselves, not by patronising them with special treatment.
It also succeeds in showcasing a female superhero without feeling the need to make her a sex symbol in a short skirt/using gratuitous shots of her bottom. Brie Larson looks great throughout, but at no point did I ever feel that was a focus.
Full disclosure - I am a man. If I ever have a daughter, I want films like this to inspire her.
Maniac (2018)
Weird
Fans of this series will say I just didn't get it. That's fine, though I'm not sure what there was to get. It's weird for weirdness' sake, though I'm sure those who enjoyed it will say that was part of its charm.
Point Break (2015)
A disgrace to the sports it portrays
The original Point Break is one of the films I can say inspired me as a child to want to skydive. 20 years later, having followed that dream I can pick holes in the original, but it still carries the same feeling for me that it did when I was a kid. The new film, is an emotionless void. We had been sold by the build up, directors telling us they wanted to commit to film the best extreme extreme sports action sequences possible. They failed. We heard how they were committed to using real athletes to make the scenes as authentic as possible. They needn't have bothered when they are using so much CGI anyway. Take the wingsuit scene for example. The crack is one of the best known lines in the sport, and a quick 5 minute search on YouTube will fine you dozens of clips of many different people flying that exact same line with better cinematography, filmed by their mate with a GoPro on his helmet. The film instead cuts in CGI close ups which absolutely diminish the incredible skill of the pilots who flew the line for the film. Aside from that, the plot is weak, the acting is wooden and you don't care about the characters at all, but that's not why we went. We were sold on the promise of the best extreme sports scenes ever filmed, and what we got was a complete mess, full of the CGI we were hoping to be absent.