kuan-joe Reviews

Gen V (2023– )

Characters design have full of holes.

[4/10 · 7 November 2023]

These superpower teenagers should have the most complex characters but they are not. Simple, predictably inconsistent characters.

For instance, the girl with superpower changing people mind, she is beautiful and why on earth she is the most loving and caring person in the story. She should be the most spoiled, arrogant, manipulative, toxic, cunning, scary person. Just imagine if a girl is pretty and can manipulate anyone to what/how she wants with a finger click, what kind of person will become. The whole thing just doesn't make sense.

Personas are all over the place, not consistent. It's more the personalities changing from one place to another to suit the story. It should be the other way round that the consistency of surreal, self-centered characters with their own agendas that drive the story.

Should be a power struggle with some twists. Getting to the truth shouldn't be high in agenda. It should be how to cheat, how to steal the vaccines to climb to the top for their own reasons, vengeance, dominate the world, rescue someones, etc.

The Batman (2022)

Matt Reeves proves why Nolan worths the money.

[3/10 · 28 March 2022]

The movie has received top and dire reviews. So I went to see the movie and make up my own mind.

This movie tries to capture many cinematic and atmospheric moments but totally fail short. First, it's 3 hours way overrun of VERY slow takes, not much actions and extremely slow conversations like everyone in Gotham talks that slow. Secondly, when it comes to actions, it's not that breathtaking. Finally, it tries to force some political views which it ruins it. Stay focus on entertaining viewers.

Also I got a feeling Matt Reeves is trying to mimic the Joker movie due to it's tremendous success which is not really an action movie but focus on character development and how society evolved have changed him which is a very refreshing approach.

Matt Reeves tries to do similar on Batman character as well as with the Riddler, Catwoman and other bad guys which is just far too confusing to me.

Cowboy Bebop (2021)

Some good some bad

[6/10 · 17 December 2021]

Overall is really 6.5/10. The Jazz style action adventure is quite refreshing but the whole storyline is not that intriguing. Actions are below average. The main two male casts (Spike and Jet Black) are forgettable, so as the villain.

The only good thing about the series is Daniella Pineda (Faye Valentine), she really spices up the whole series. Her kind of unpredictable actings is quite fun to watch. Without her, it would be much worst.

The bar tender (Mason Alexander Park, Gren), difficult to describe but he is quite special. The way he talks, he really draws my attentions. Reminds me of the bar tender in Altered Carbon (season 1).

Dune (2021)

This is what a sci-fi should be for the grown ups

[9/10 · 25 November 2021]

It's quite an arty film, so the pace is medium but not to the point of pointless arty farty movies in snail pace. So overall it is very engaging and stunning experience movie. The only downside in my personal opinion is the pace or flow of the movie is disrupted by the flashbacks in a few occasions which can be cut to shorten the movie a bit.

The costumes are outstanding, as well as the choice of technology design - a blend of futuristic and old school looks are very cool.

What I love most about Dune is that this is what a sci-fi movie should be for grown ups. It has the political side and the dynamics of power, greed and peace are well explored. The desert environment and the creatures very are plausible and audience can relate to. Unlike the modern Star Wars (except Rogue One) which has no personalities, substance, message or theme, just some space adventures, forces and cute aliens to appease the general audiences.

Although overall it's a medium pace, it is really thrilling when the actions come. The actions are all about conflict & survival, nothing about style which is 99% of sci-fi movies aimed for.

If you are expecting as one of those Marvel or Star War movies, don't waste your time. You won't appreciate it.

The Boys (2019– )

The Boys is easily by far better than those lame superhero dramas in Netflix

[10/10 · 12 August 2019]

I never like superhero movies or dramas. They are all just one dimension characters, predictable storylines, superhero always good looking, evil people ugly (really??), good always wins. The reality is anti-hero dramas is always so much more interesting, so many things can go wrong, there are so much you can develop with the characters.

The reality is 'Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely' and the Boys have delivered that with shock after shock, colorful & twisted characters, poweful lines, gut crushing moments and brutal action scenes.

The actings of how pyscho of Homelander is so breath taking. Billy Butcher loud sweary mouth is ice on the cake. I wish Amazon have made it more shockings by not pulling back some of the decisions. Can't wait for season 2. As long as Eric Kripke keeps up the momentum, I am in for Prime member.

Netflix is definitely lacking behind recently.

Polar (I) (2019)

John Wick + Quentin Tarantino. Netflix finest original action movie

[9/10 · 4 February 2019]

Normally when the trailer looks awesome is really the best part of the movie but this one is hell no. I normally don't write review on IMDB for action movie. Hat off to the director, this one is by far the most unique, bold, shock, ultra violent, action pack to the bone, so so bloody and most stylish movie I have seen for a long time.

The gun fight scenes are very creative and clever. The action sequences, OMG, so brutal and some scenes are so just bloody that my reflex just turned my head away.

It is a memorable first class action pack movie. Really enjoyed it.

Close (I) (2019)

Typical boring subpar action movie

[2/10 · 4 February 2019]

The movie instantly have a rather low budget feel, a lot of unfinished rough ends. The scenes are plain, dialogues are plain and the actions are plain. Wrong choice for the girl who acts as the rich daughter, she is more suitable for coming of age movies.

Base on real story doesn't mean it should have a minimum score if the movie is done average at best.

Tag (I) (2018)

Probably the only comedy with good action sequences.

[5/10 · 27 October 2018]

The action sequences are really quite impressive, although the storyline is really cheesy and silly. The characters don't fit the story. Wrong dialogues at the wrong time.

Mission: Impossible - Fallout (2018)

It's not Mission Impossible. It's more like Tom Cruise, the greatest showman.

[5/10 · 22 August 2018]

Mission Impossible is all about the cleverness team work and gadgets together to pull out the trick and retreat without anyone notice. This style of agent movie has been long gone after the first Mission Impossible. These days Mission Impossible movies are just about selling how great Tom Cruise is. One man band, the other team members are just chauffeurs and fill in the dialogues.

Twist on top of twist on top of twist on top o twist. When it comes to agent movies (I watch every single one, I am sucker to agent movie), the number one requirement is to keep it (the story) simple, stupid (KISS rule). That's why (The Bourne Identity) was so good and with great actions.

The uninspired & convoluted story is to give Tom Cruise the chance to full out the stunts. He has the balls of steel to pull the stunts but as far as the movie goes, the whole package is just lacklustre.

Those IMDB 8+ reviews are very suspicious, I noticed a few of them are repeated with the exact words.

The Magnitsky Act. Behind the Scenes (2016)

True journalism you don't see these days. Any journalists should watch this documentary.

[10/10 · 2 August 2018]

You don't see these details of due diligence journalism in the current polarisation climate. Nekrasov questions himself and his persistence of seeking the truths on both sides of the story should be the prime example for every journalist.

Ironically, Nekrasov is a human right advocated journalist and he finds out how these oligarchs have hijacked the 'human right' to cover their dirty works.

Also this documentary alone should be awarded with Oscar. However, Hollywood is propaganda organisation with it's own political agenda.

In Search of a Midnight Kiss (2007)

Great small talks romance movie, very funny in places

[8/10 · 24 February 2018]

I don't know but it's like guilty pleasure, I always like those romance movies couple walk around city and all the chats. Like Chris Evan - Before You Go. Although it looks like low budget romance movie, the small talks are really good, absolutely hilarious in places.

The sound track is really excellent, slow and mellow go along with the movies.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)

Dreadful - 180 degrees from the first one

[1/10 · 19 May 2017]

Me and my boy were thinking wtf is going on in the cinema. Everyone in GOTG has gone emotional & sentimental, looking for sister touch, father touch. Action is sporadic and childish. No cool moments, musics have lost the spirits. Way less funny than the first one. I hardly laughed, like watching paint dry. My 13 years son ends up playing on his mobile, not bother watching.

How other people love this move is beyond me. Obviously they have very different standard, easily entertained.

Copenhagen (2014)

Independent movie as it's best

[8/10 · 18 February 2017]

When I picked up this movie, I thought how two different age people touring around Copenhagen looking for someone can be interesting for 90+ mins. However, I never felt bored with the whole movie. In fact, the movie draws my attention so deep that you feel you are in their situation. The movie also shows how truly beautiful Copenhagen is.

True talents to both characters but the real gem is how the director/writer crafted those intriguing small talks between them. This movie is an art.

Nice Guy Johnny (2010)

Watch love story on innocent romance but bad choice of male leading actor.

[6/10 · 24 April 2015]

This film is trying to be a fantasy of innocent romance. Personally, I think the rhythm, predictable storyline, and the scenery delivers. No, I don't expect to be a perfect romance story. I expect to be a 6 to 7 out of 10 love story.

The biggest mistake is the leading male actor, he spoils the whole film. He has a strange body shape, his acting is not convincing. He looks like a little brother of Kerry Bishe, instead of a couple. Casting as a 25 years old bachelor, I expect he has a bit more maturity. As a whole, he doesn't bring the best of Kerry Bishe. However, the innocent and unusual stunning look of Kerry is best captured in this film.

I personally think this is above average of Edward Burn's films.