papagato39 Reviews

Your Christmas or Mine? (2022)

Very enjoyable Christmas Movie

[7/10 · 3 December 2022]

I watched this film on a whim and really enjoyed it. You will guess the basic boy meets girl plot from the off, but it quickly takes an unexpected turn and that's when the interest really starts, followed by some nice plot twists throughout. The main protagonists have clearly come from different backgrounds and that's the main driver for the comedy and pathos within the story. The two families are socially poles apart. Pretty much a feel good film with a nice Christmas message. There are some great characters, and I'm sure there's a lot that viewers can identify with. Very funny at times and has a great cast.

The Family Stone (2005)

Truly awful

[3/10 · 27 November 2021]

Truly awful film with implausible, unlikeable, unconvincing characters, and lightweight plot. The actors involved surely should have known better. The only saving grace was use of sign language, which showed some innovation. Don't waste any time watching this.

Chaos (II) (2005)

Jason Statham's accent

[5/10 · 21 February 2021]

A pretty regular cop/villain romp with a reasonable idea that could have been executed much better. Jason Statham's accent wasn't convincing and I found that a constant distraction. The Shane Dekker character developed well, and Wesley Snipes was good value. It's good fun as an action shoot 'em up, so if you like that sort of thing you won't be disappointed.

The Investigation (2020)

Real story with real characters.

[8/10 · 27 January 2021]

This is brilliant, one of the best crime series I've seen in a long while. The characters are real, believable and sympathetic. Nothing too showy and no prima donnas. Educational too. I don't normally binge-watch but this was compelling.

Howard the Duck (1986)

Interesting idea, but it is rubbish!

[3/10 · 24 December 2020]

It might just work as a crazy sci-fi romp, but even in that sense it left a lot to be desired. It started out as if it was going to be some kind of promising satire (even if it was duck based) but failed miserably.

Le Week-End (2013)

Pretty grim

[3/10 · 13 December 2019]

I found this a hard watch. I felt little sympathy for either of the main characters at any stage. I was hoping that the so called 'comedy' aspect might save it but no chance. I would never bill this as a romantic comedy, very disappointing.

High Plains Drifter (1973)

expected it to be better

[5/10 · 2 December 2019]

I am a fan of Clint Eastwood but was disappointed with this film. It's fairly standard western fair, a troubled town with dodgy characters and a stranger (Eastwood). I was disturbed by the rape scene early on and my support for the main character never really recovered from that. The strategy to deal with the real threat (i.e. returning baddies after being recently released from jail) was pretty bonkers. The stranger instructed the townies to do apparently stupid things that I hoped would later be relevant, but they sadly they never were. Having said that, it was ok but was never going to get more than a 5 from me. It's not a patch on Fistful of Dollars or The Good The Bad and The Ugly.

Annie Hall (1977)

Disappointing

[4/10 · 21 November 2019]

I'm gradually catching up with films that I have not seen but are deemed to be classics. Generally I'm impressed with the 'classics' but not this one. Maybe it was trendy in the 70s but it just doesn't work. It's an uncomfortable watch with just a few reasonable jokes. The only reason I have it 4 was it seemed to be trying to do something original. Overall a big disappointment.

The Favourite (2018)

Potential not fulfilled

[5/10 · 5 October 2019]

The three lead actors are great, but the film on the whole was disappointing. Interesting storyline based loosely on fact, but with a quite rubbish ending. Worth watching for the three main characters, but do not expect a classic.