duvernetphotography Reviews

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003)

A History Brought to Life

[9/10 · 13 October 2023]

The story line is almost a secondary issue in this movie. The effort to show all the aspects of life at sea at this time is outstanding. From rigging details, sailor skills, nautical navigation, seamanship, the surgeon and so much more. It is just outstanding. The only quirk was when the captain picks up a violin and attempts to play it. It was obvious that the captain had no idea how to play the violin, no matter. The sea music, stops along the South American coast, sailing in high winds and seas, it must have been horrendous to film this movie. It is a work of art as much as a tale of action and war.

Bad Boys for Life (2020)

Cheap Action thrills and a Silly Story

[4/10 · 3 February 2023]

The plot line really made no sense from the beginning. The only good part is the opening drive sequence. Smith tries to be this crazy cop who is invincible and breaks the rules and always comes out the winner. The action otherwise is cheesy with bad guys standing waiting to be shot or hit and thousands of rounds missing the good guys when just one bullet from a bouncing Smith finds its mark. Why are Mexicans the only bad guys around? How does Smith, an average beat cop, afford all these expensive cars? I guess the bling is an attempt at ratings. The movie is filled with cheap eye candy that tries to make up for incredibly weak dialogue. Lawrence looks so cheesy at times, clearly in a CGI setting with only two words to say... "Oh. Shxt".

The Fabelmans (2022)

Wandering, historical, indulgent

[7/10 · 27 December 2022]

Firstly the movie is way too long. One hundred and 50 minutes is really pushing it for a movie of this nature. The historic bits of the 1950's, scouting and the outings was fun. The religious bits are unnecessary, but make a strategic point. Otherwise, there are fun bits where good parents explain, indulge and ultimately foster talent. That is as it should be. It is also a noteworthy and timeless message that parents often dismiss their child's passion as unworthy of a career focus as they would understand it. There are numerous technical bits that get washed over and others that are insightful. Cameras were not autofocus and waving a Bolex around without ever focusing wouldn't yield the crisp results we see on the screen. Keep an eye out for that. Otherwise, it was an enjoyable fun movie that makes you think about what a parent's role is or should be.

Maverick (1957–1962)

Great Timeless Stories

[8/10 · 17 December 2022]

The Maverick television show might be over 60 years old, but most of the stories are as interesting today as ever. The whole show blends some of that classic film era fashion and style with the good old west cowboy world. A bit of interpretive history is blended in for story foundation. The audience can never tire of the charisma, determination, honesty, humour and intelligence of the two leading characters. It's a timeless show. There are so many historic references for better or worse. The show frequently reveals class and race arrogance and struggles. The stage coach rides, trains and themes of opening up America are truly revealing. Has either Canada or the US of A evolved beyond this frontier mentality of more than 150 years ago? Doesn't seem like it, but we sure better soon.

Detective Knight: Rogue (2022)

Predictable Derivative

[3/10 · 5 December 2022]

I couldn't watch past the first 20min. When they mentioned how to make a bomb, I thought enough of this garbage. Willis was never much of an actor. He depended on the production effects and a suspenseful story line to carry him through. Now with his health challenges, the dialogue is next to nothing, not that it was ever very insightful. This movie is best avoided, unless you need some mind numbing diversion from a tedious chore. This movie relies on suspenseful background music to turn a simple action into something possibly significant. It is one cliche after another with some very questionable story concepts thrown in. This makes movies like Zoolander or Blazing Saddles seem like Shakespeare.

The King's Man (2021)

Mature Perspective

[9/10 · 16 October 2022]

Unlike the flippant and light-hearted perspective of the others, this one is serious business. It references the impact of colonialism and war. For anyone with parents who lived through a war, the perspective of this movie is truly refreshing. It highlights the futility of war. The wasted deaths for the ego of rulers and politicians. During the First and Second Great Wars, so many young men and women were simply canon fodder. Where to find dignity and purpose in the process of war. This version makes the others look almost cartoon like. In Flanders Fields the poppies blow between the crosses, row on row, that mark Our place.

The Girl Next Door (2004)

Too Easy

[6/10 · 4 July 2022]

A porn star next door who happens to be a barely legal girl? The guy's sense of self-worth depends on meeting this hot girl, doing her and then doing something stupid to show he is cool with his ever so cool high school buds. Eventually. The movie gets around to proving all this isn't necessary to establish self-worth. But it does show that the exploitation of women and the shallow nature of it all. How easy both sexes are to be manipulated over sexual desire. Some men and women may truly enjoy the "artistry" of it all and that is fair too as long as easy player is in charge of their roles.

Apex (2021)

Complete Trash

[2/10 · 8 December 2021]

When WIllis is smiling at the camera he isn't supposed to be looking' at you know it's trash. Not only is this movie incredibly slow, it plays trash for trash. Bad stereotypes, weak story, lame acting and more. Watch it as a brainless diversion for something else like washing the floor.

Bruised (2020)

Another Comeback Fight

[5/10 · 2 December 2021]

The story has been written many times before. Through in some warm fuzzy and heart tugging ideas and change the main character from male to female and the story is pretty predictable. The attempt to update the ambiance with rap music with all the right four letter words is over done. Halle is in great shape for some so old. It's difficult to accept Bat Woman, Bond Girl and so on, as a down and out of any kind. The rest of the crew is very supportive. Overall it was entertaining. Without the kid, it would have been difficult to pull the story together.

Black and Blue (I) (2019)

Stereotypes and more Stereotypes

[3/10 · 26 September 2021]

Every thinkable stereotype possible is played. Even the music pushes the stereotypes. Gold teeth, the Escalade, the hood, suspense building music. On top of it all, such a thin story line. Shame on this.

Force of Nature (2020)

C Grade Thriller

[3/10 · 26 November 2020]

Mel Gibson and Kate Bosworth lead what could have been a good thriller, but the story is full of holes and the acting is middling and the fight scenes look overly choreographed. The movie seems more like a make work project for sidelined actors. I couldn't watch it to the end.

Belly of the Beast (2003 Video)

Seagal relies of B level movies

[3/10 · 26 October 2018]

Seagal used to be able to carry a good story line. Now, his movies rely on a few cliches of martial arts. What makes this movie so amusing is to watch a headless Seagal doing flips and leg swings. Too bad Seagal is too over weight to do them himself anymore. He can barely bend over, let alone do any flip. Luckily, there is a minimum of flying on invisible wires.

Quantico: Hell's Gate (2018) Season 3, Episode 3

predictable, unrealistic, soap

[4/10 · 5 June 2018]

From the very beginning, Quantico has been a soap in the guise of a B-thriller. The soft love triangles, the prancing and bulging, the macho and slinky moves are all soapy stuff. This episode tries to go into more thriller territory, but the shoot outs, the staged conflicts are just not realistic. No law enforcement agencies would engage in a full blown shoot out surrounded by civilians. There are just too many scenarios like this. The dialogue is also soapy with every event hanging on some emotional life changing experience. Come on, real law enforcement personnel are far more detached, professional and focused. This is just a soap with an ethnically diverse cast.

Murder on the Orient Express (2017)

Kenny is no Peter

[5/10 · 5 February 2018]

If you have ever seen the first film version, this will leave you rather wanting. Truly a great cast and a great opportunity. It is well done, no question and all the acting is generally compelling. Some versions are their own standard, timeless and always great. This version will not likely stand the test of time as did the first. There is way too much CGI, too much fake snow, too much sugar coating, too much set acting. The story is no surprise and is fairly true to the book, but Poirot is just not convincing. Way too athlete jumping around, not enough true Belgium affect. Enjoy it but do yourself a favour and watch the original. The opening chug of the steam engine is unforgettable.

Geostorm (2017)

Typical Hollywood

[5/10 · 20 January 2018]

All the world's disasters begin and end with America. They all happen to America, about America and only America can save the world. The premise is that a network of satellites and a space station can have sufficient control over the Earth's weather to solve the extreme weather patterns that are developing. One man, Mr. Butler, designed the station at the heart of it all.

Butler is playing a shoot-from-the-hip super scientist who designed the station. From all the characters Butler has played, this is the strangest. It doesn't fit his persona at all. Getting passed that is a challenge enough, but the dial a weather storm capability of the station is another implausible freak show. Getting passed that, the fact that one man could bring it all down, was another illogical possibility. Getting passed that...

The special effects were outstanding and Talitha Bateman puts on the crying face better than I've ever seen a kid do. She's fantastic. Abbie Cornish looks so hot in those professional heels and she wields a gun as good as it gets. She plays the SS to save the day. Her partner in crime, to save the day, Jim Sturges is always looking hysterical, so over the top silly.

Have fun watching for a light flick. Don't expect anything serious. It feels as though Butler is laughing all the time. He can't believe he got the part!

Acts of Violence (2018)

What are guns good for? Killing! Bullets don't discriminate.

[2/10 · 15 January 2018]

The synopsis says it all. The story is pretty simple. Unfortunately, this movie does little to speak to the problem of human trafficking. What it does do is glorify the gun and excessive force in civilian territory. There is always someone with a bigger gun, someone more ruthless. These good guys managed to show their brawn and get two family members killed in the process. It wasn't heroic, it wasn't necessary. It was stupid. If you tease a snake you're going to get bitten, especially if you don't kill it first. Americans are so tied to their right of self-defence and right to own a gun, they've forgotten what it is to be civil. This movie taught me how to draw a hand gun, how to shoot first and ask questions later and how to get my family killed in the process. There was no finesse, no awareness of the bigger game, no strategy. Liam Neeson has done it so much better and Charles Bronson before him.

Voyeur (II) (2017)

How an old journalist tries to recover

[4/10 · 14 January 2018]

We learn how a New York reporter tries to cover for a severe professional blunder. The movie tracks a voyeur, who watches people in hotel rooms for decades. From his hiding spot where he spent hours each night staring at people through a hole in the ceiling. The reporter and the voyeur can't get enough of the limelight. They thrive on the notoriety. When it goes sour, when the voyeur's errors in fact come out, our hero reporter spends the rest of the movie covering for himself. From the start, the voyeur is being filmed in intimate detail and clearly enjoying the attention. He wants us to feel him as a victim in this experience. When all is said and done, their isn't much of a story. The film benefits from great production and editing. It would have been much better had the film used the French cinema reality style with a narrator in monotone third person. This film is depressing. The take away is that the more someone proclaims their integrity and honesty, the less likely it is to be true.

The Snowman (2017)

So European

[9/10 · 10 January 2018]

European, especially Scandinavian movies have a different methodology from Hollywood. They expect more from the viewer and frequently are very different in pacing and story structure. It is particularly refreshing. The acting is all first rate, the plot builds intensity, the settings are wonderful. So few movies are set in winter like this, it adds dramatically to the tension. Detective Harry Hole tracks down a serial killer who leaves strange looking snowman at each site after dismembering the victims. It becomes intensely personal and both the murderer and Harry are drawn closer together. This isn't a quick flick, enjoy all the scenery and European flare.

Once Upon a Time at Christmas (2017)

Are they sure this isn't a comedy?

[4/10 · 13 December 2017]

Is it possible that a horror movie could be so bad it is funny? If you were going to make up a spooky story at a campfire, this would be it. Barely average in every respect: acting, dialogue, plot line, filming, etc. It is particularly funny how the corpses are still breathing. The guy with the ax is a wild swinging nutcase who is careful enough to hit the right spot on a victim's chest, you know, where the fake blood bag is. The movie has the stereotypes, smooching teens, giggling girls, slutty night clubs, four level words, white lives crumbling, freaky relatives, a sheriff with a history of drinking, the town mayor more interested in votes and money. So bring it on and have a good laugh. A little more melodrama and it would be full on!

Wheelman (2017)

Sorry Wrong Number

[3/10 · 24 October 2017]

So a strung out guy, driving a high powered sports car, gets double crossed from some previous heist. He's being pulled in different directions with threats of death, his wife and daughter. All this plays out on a cell phone and in the car. Occasionally he miraculously dodges bullets and one mess or another. The camera is always tight on the freaked out driver whose dialogue ranges from swearing, shouting and threatening. His car survives all kinds of bullets, rear endings and smashes. Must have been the run flat tires. Without the soundtrack and intense camera angles, this would be even more bland. He drives like every hack behind the wheel of an expensive car. The car could be going around in circles for all the difference it makes. It uses every cliché in the genre. Give it a pass.

Girls Trip (2017)

Bitch, your partner is sleeping with an Instagram skank

[1/10 · 3 October 2017]

This was so bad, not sure whether to laugh at how bad it is or to walk out. Between the swearing, cheap overt sexual strutting, the cheap, crude dialogue, the hopelessly predictable story line and obvious product placements, there isn't much to rank this movie. Ms. Nasty's huge earrings come and go, the word "dick", Ni**a, and everything else that's trash is so frequent in the dialogue. Watch to fill the space on a screen and noise on speakers.

Bring It On: Worldwide #Cheersmack (2017)

predictable but what do you expect?

[4/10 · 10 September 2017]

Cheesy, cute teeny outfits, thumping music, predictable plot line and inter-character drama.It plays out like a teen soap with a bit of skin to keep it interesting. Where do you go with these Bring It movies when the whole premise is so structured? At least interject some personal drama like a cultural rift or fusion. The internet smack down was an interesting concept and had real potential. The introduction of rap moves was pretty lame because that has been done so many times in other more dramatic dance movies. Where was the demonstration of cheer leading at a football game? Where was the school spirit coming through? All in all, it was nice to watch and see such athletic bodies in action of all kinds.

The Saint (2017 TV Movie)

Roger Moore all the way

[3/10 · 15 August 2017]

It's a difficult path to follow, in the footsteps of a legend like Roger Moore as the Saint. If you haven't watched it in black and white, you must. Roger Moore could speak many languages for real and his Volvo was just too special. He was suave when suave hadn't been invented yet. He never had to show off or be impolite. This action flick tries to check all the modern boxes and is as predictable as you could ever imagine. The cast definitely seems a bit B level for sure, but there wasn't much to work with in plot or settings. It feels like a cheap TV show. The greatest fault though lies in failing to capture the Saint feel. The little Saint sound effects grow tiresome and rapidly lose their effect. Val Kilmer was far more intense and personal. This is fluffy and silly. Watch it while cleaning the floor or something equally important.

The Circle (I) (2017)

The Full Will

[6/10 · 12 August 2017]

Great acting. Emma is great. She's youthful, spunky, smart and so normal. Tom Hanks is so suave and natural in these smarty roles. The concept of The Circle is that transparency = truth. It is an interesting concept that all this information and being totally connected is a good thing. That this is uniting, accountable and democratic. The movie attempts to take the concept to the extreme to show us how technology can be as much our enemy as friend. This movie is a statement that needs to be made. Mae gets taken up in the excitement of a hi-tech company that collects information and professes that we should know everything about everyone. She is encouraged to go full exposure wearing cameras everywhere. While this "connects" her with "friends" around the world, the soul search service takes it too far and kills her friend. She decides to turn the tables on the executive by playing public sentiment for their transparency. She proves that not everyone plays equally at the information game. The movie ends rather abruptly and doesn't follow through with the message. Fundamentally, not all information is relevant, needed or worth keeping. Who care?

Going in Style (2017)

A-List Actors Ham It Up

[5/10 · 11 August 2017]

So three old farts lose their pensions. We're talking Morgan Freeman, reportedly worth 200 million and Michael Caine, reportedly worth 75 million, attempt to play seniors who have lost their pensions. I'm sorry, but this just doesn't fly with me. Michael Caine has the better grasp of this, being the poorer of the two. It never felt like they had their hearts in this one. We've seen variations of this theme with Grumpy Old Men and similar. Boys, give it a rest and let someone else have a go.