adamonIMDb Reviews

Perfect Nanny (2019)

Doesn't translate well to the big screen

[3/10 · 31 July 2022]

Screen adaptations of thriller novels can be hit and miss and I'm afraid this one is firmly in the 'miss' category for me. It's extremely slow, fails to build any kind of suspense or tension, and I frankly didn't care for any of the characters or their fate (including the two children, as harsh as that may sound).

Perhaps the only positive is the acting - Karin Viard puts in a good performance as main character Louise and at least makes the film watchable. The ending was rather predictable too and doesn't have the shock-factor the director would have hoped for.

All-in-all, another poor and frankly boring screen adaptation of a thriller novel. It wasn't worth making and it's certainly not worth watching.

D.B. Cooper: Where Are You?! (2022)

A four-part series that's three parts too long

[31 July 2022]

Like a lot of people, I love a good unsolved mystery and the D. B. Cooper case has always intrigued me. It's one of the most brazen crimes ever committed, but also one of the most impressive in its perfect planning and flawless execution.

I therefore expected to love this Netflix docu-series doing a deeper dive into the case, and into the identity of the mysterious D. B. Cooper. But I was disappointed - this isn't the detailed look at the case I was expecting. Instead there's one half-decent episode that focusses on the case and three filled with ridiculous conspiracies, delusional, self-important private investigators and some loopy Cooper fanboys.

I watched the whole thing, but wish I'd stopped after the first episode. As a standalone episode, it would have been okay. Instead Netflix tried to string it out as a mini-series, and it was pretty awful.

Four Christmases (2008)

Decent Christmas comedy with some funny scenes

[6/10 · 23 December 2020]

'Four Christmases' is a decent piece of light-hearted Christmas entertainment with a great cast and some funny individual scenes. The storyline and characters will be relatable for many and, while it is quite predictable plot-wise, it is somewhat enjoyable and provides a few good laughs here and there.

As Christmas films go it is by no means a classic but it's also far better than a lot of others in the Christmas/comedy sub-genre. Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon go well together deliver good performances as main characters Brad and Kate.

While not consistently funny, 'Four Christmases' has its moments and was better than I expected.

1917 (2019)

Visually stunning but emotionally void

[6/10 · 23 December 2020]

There's no debating that '1917' is a groundbreaking piece of cinema. With the entire film consisting of only one continuous, uncut scene, it makes for impressive viewing. It will no doubt be remembered for its innovation and breathtaking cinematography.

But while '1917' excels in the visuals category, I was left disappointed overall. The problem with creating such a visual feast is that people end up more interested in how the film looks rather than what actually happens it in. It felt like the plot was complementing the visuals a lot of the time rather than the other way round.

While '1917' looks fantastic and is well acted and produced, the story failed to grip me, there wasn't enough character development, and there was a serious lack of emotion for a war film.

Léon: The Professional (1994)

Fantastic, so much more than just an action movie

[9/10 · 16 August 2020]

Action films are not usually my thing but I thought 'Léon' was excellent. Unlike so many movies in this genre, it has a storyline with depth and substance and well-developed, intriguing main characters who the audience can connect with and care about. That's always been rare to find in action movies but it is virtually non-existent in the latest releases.

As the story in 'Léon' develops, the action becomes more prevalent, and the final half an hour or so is almost exclusively action sequences. It builds the drama and tension with great effect and holds your attention effortlessly. Jean Reno and Natalie Portman are both outstanding as Léon and Mathilda respectively, but my personal favourite performance was Gary Oldman as Stansfield - one of the best portrayals of a villain I think I've probably ever seen.

I watched the extended version of this movie, which contains a few 'romance' scenes cut from the original release for being considered inappropriate. While I would agree that a middle-aged man having a romantic relationship with a young girl is definitely inappropriate it was never taken too far, though admittedly these scenes are quite creepy and uncomfortable to watch.

The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019)

A wonderfully weird feel-good film

[8/10 · 8 August 2020]

I knew before I even started watching 'The Peanut Butter Falcon' that I was going to love it. Just by reading the synopsis, and without even viewing the trailer, I knew that this would be my kind of film. Sure enough, it was every bit as enjoyable as I expected.

With a bizarre yet uplifting storyline, quirky humour and an interesting mix of oddball characters, 'The Peanut Butter Falcon' is great. But there is one problem, called Shia LaBeouf. He features quite prominently in the film as Tyler, but thankfully is not as insufferable as you might expect.

This is definitely a film I would recommend, especially for those who like their movies on the more 'unusual' side like me. 'The Penut Butter Falcon' is about as unique and original a film as you are likely to see, and with a very enjoyable storyline too.

Memories of Murder (2003)

Great Korean crime drama but the ending lets it down

[7/10 · 6 August 2020]

After enjoying last year's 'Parasite' I thought I'd explore more of Bong Joon Ho's movies. 'Salinui chueok' or 'Memories of Murder' was a natural choice for me to watch as I enjoy crime dramas and, from my experience at least, the standard of Korean films in this genre is very high.

This is a well made, deep and engaging drama film with some very funny moments, which I certainly wasn't expecting. As with any decent murder mystery, it has plenty of unpredictable twists and turns and keeps you guessing throughout. The storyline is realistic and the strong acting and well-developed characters only add to the realism. It is another impressive piece of Korean cinema.

My only gripe, and unfortunately it is a big one, is the film's ending. I'm not a fan of 'open' endings in general - after spending over two hours watching something, I want closure. But for a crime film like this involving a murder investigation to offer no explanation is especially frustrating. Even if the ending is well-executed, personally I wanted some closure to the story.

Olympus Has Fallen (2013)

More dumb Hollywood trash, don't take the bait

[4/10 · 5 August 2020]

I thought I'd give 'Olympus Has Fallen' a chance based on the fact it features Morgan Freeman - one of my favourite actors. But despite Freeman's prominent position on the cover artwork, which was no doubt done intentionally to draw in viewers, his role is no more than a supportive one, with Gerard Butler and Aaron Eckhart, two actors I am far less enthusiastic about, in the lead roles.

Truth is, unless you are naive like me and drawn in by an well-produced trailer and some colourful cover artwork featuring your favourite actor, you'll know what you're getting before the movie even starts - more brainless, plotless, action-obsessed, generic Hollywood trash. It was so obvious, but some of us were dumb enough to take the bait and watch it anyway.

I suppose if you watch this without thinking about the sheer absurdity and unoriginality of everything that is happening on-screen, and just take the action at face value, there is some entertainment to be had. But the moment you start thinking is the moment 'Olympus Has Fallen' is exposed for what it really is - Hollywood trash.

The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear (1991)

Great sequel with more hilarious memorable scenes

[8/10 · 30 June 2020]

'The Naked Gun 2½' is without doubt one of my favourite comedy sequels. Rather like the 'Airplane' sequel, this is just more of the same of what made the first film such a hit and anyone who loved the first film will find this film just as hilarious.

The formula of the 'Naked Gun' sequel is exactly the same and Leslie Nielsen is once again on top form, delivering a laugh-a-minute performance and some classic lines. Nielsen's comedic timing and delivery is second to none and is without doubt the main reason for the success of these films.

Silly spoof comedies seem to be more popular than ever now, but I can't think of any from recent years that have been anywhere near as good as the 'The Naked Gun' and 'Airplane' films. I doubt we'll see many comedy actors as talented as Nielsen again unfortunately but at least we'll always have these comedy classics to revisit - these films are timeless.

It Chapter Two (2019)

Despite a few positives this sequel is mostly hot air

[5/10 · 14 June 2020]

I wasn't much of a fan of the first 'It' film from 2017 and found this sequel to be generally much the same, only longer and with fewer original ideas. The CGI is impressive and the acting is good, but there's not much else I can say I appreciated about 'Chapter Two'.

The big problem I have with this film, and to a lesser extend its predecessor, is its running length. There's just no need for it to be anywhere near 3 hours long and there were ample opportunities for scenes to be cut or trimmed. There isn't enough depth in the plot and it really does drag.

The storyline is okay but rather predictable and quite clearly lacking ideas. It resorts to jump scares too often, most of which you can also see coming. Overall, while not a bad horror film, I won't be spending another 3 hours watching again.

Hard Candy (2005)

What kind of deranged sicko comes up with this stuff?

[1/10 · 14 June 2020]

The first 20 minutes or so of this film is good. It tackles a common problem in society of an adult man chatting with an underage girl online and agreeing to meet up with her. An interesting concept with promise that could have gone in a number of different directions and been a really good film.

But the route 'Hard Candy' goes down is one of torture, suffering and emotional manipulation. Despite the potential for a interesting plot, the film instead becomes nothing more than a back-to-back series of near-unwatchable torture scenes that nobody in their right mind could possibly get any enjoyment out of.

Contrary to what others have said I thought 'Hard Candy' was unconvincing and poorly made - overwritten and overacted throughout, with scenes and scenarios that would never realistically happen in real life. A horrible film with no purpose other than to shock and disgust the audience.

Hostiles (2017)

Enjoyable classic-style Western with strong performances

[7/10 · 13 June 2020]

While it may seem like Westerns are dying out, there have been a few welcome additions to the genre in recent years and demand for them is certainly still there, even if it is dwindling. 'Hostiles' is another solid classic-style Western - slow-moving, atmospheric, and character-oriented. It ticks all the boxes for fans of the genre.

An explosive and dramatic opening sets up the story nicely and it held my interest throughout - not always the case with longer films. The film looks great, it is beautifully shot and the cinematography is impressive. Bale and Pike deliver strong performances and I could buy into the characters and the story.

'Hostiles' is an enjoyable film all round and definitely a Western worth watching. Let's hope they continue making films like this.

Logan (2017)

More mature and accessible than the previous X-Men films

[7/10 · 10 June 2020]

I've never been an X-Men fan but I enjoyed 'Logan', probably because it is less comic book action-obsessed and has more depth to the story and characters than the previous films. It is grittier, darker, and feels more mature and adult-oriented in general.

'Logan' is impressive all round - well-written and acted with some standout action scenes. Hugh Jackman is excellent as the title character, delivering a highly convincing performance in a role that suits him perfectly. I also enjoyed Patrick Stewart's performance as Professor X.

To my surprise, 'Logan' is very accessible, even to those with little or no knowledge of the X-Men series. It's easy to grasp the plot and characters and to follow what is happening and there is still much to enjoy even if you aren't an X-Men fan like myself.

Donnie Darko (2001)

Overrated, nothing special about this for me

[5/10 · 10 June 2020]

I'd been meaning to watch 'Donnie Darko' for some time having heard great things. Perhaps it didn't help watching it with such high expectations but I'm questioning why so many have rated this film so highly. While it is certainly an engaging, perplexing and even thought-provoking film, I was left with a sense of disappointment once the credits rolled.

The are things I liked about the film - it's well-acted, the main character is interesting and the set-up is unusual and fascinating. The end result though didn't do much for me. Ultimately the film leaves a lot open to interpretation and presents more questions than it does answers, which is not what I watch a film for.

I've noticed a few users have mentioned that this film gets better with each viewing. Considering that, maybe I'll revisit it some time in the future and have a different opinion. For now though I don't think 'Donnie Darko' lives up to its reputation.

Lake Placid (1999)

Somewhat amusing, better than I was expecting

[5/10 · 10 June 2020]

'Lake Placid' is a fair attempt at a comedy horror that manages to be consistently amusing while never succeeding at being 'laugh out loud' funny. The storyline is ridiculous, as you would expect, but as a piece of entertainment it is watchable and somewhat entertaining, though the short running length just about prevents it from becoming tedious.

The special effects in 'Lake Placid' are pretty terrible (even for its time) but, with this being a spoof comedy that was never intended to be taken seriously, it doesn't make much difference to the overall enjoyment of the film. There isn't much horror in the film and there are very few scares, though it does maintain a somewhat eerie atmosphere throughout.

Better than I was expecting overall but far from being a great comedy/horror. It kept me interested and amused for the duration (just about), so it can't have been that bad.

Shrek (2001)

Childhood classic with great characters and humour

[7/10 · 17 May 2020]

Whilst stuck in coronavirus lockdown I've been revisiting some old classics from my childhood. I'd been wanting to re-watch the original 'Shrek' movie for some time so this felt like the perfect excuse/opportunity. Almost 20 years since its release, it's impressive how 'Shrek' has kept its appeal and is still one of the go-to kids' films after all this time.

That's probably because there are very few animated children's films that have the ability to also appeal to adults. Whilst it is very much geared towards a younger audience, I think any adult who says they didn't enjoy some of the humour in 'Shrek' is lying - this film has universal appeal and that's what made it such a hit.

After all these years, 'Shrek' still feels fresh and unique. It is a great film all round with an interesting storyline, entertaining characters and some very funny jokes.

Ad Astra (2019)

Another dull and uninteresting space adventure

[4/10 · 16 May 2020]

Sci-Fi has never been my genre of preference but I've definitely noticed a dip in standards over the last few years. The likes of 'Arrival' and the newest 'Blade Runner' were massively overhyped and even 'Gravity' and 'Interstellar' did nothing for me. I'd have hoped technological advancements would have driven up standards in the Sci-Fi genre but it seems to have had the opposite effect and resulted in an over-reliance on CGI and special effects.

'Ad Astra' is no different I'm afraid - another plot-light, boring space adventure more interested in looking good than telling a story. Though that's hardly surprising as the Sci-Fi genre has always prioritised style over substance. The casting of Brad Pitt as the lead character is perhaps proof enough that style and visual appeal was all this movie was ever trying to achieve.

The Sci-Fi genre is crying out for something fresh and different but 'Ad Astra' isn't it. This is just another disappointing style-obsessed space adventure with a weak and unoriginal plot.

Traffic (2000)

A deep and complex film about America's drug problem

[7/10 · 20 April 2020]

'Traffic' is an impressive drama/thriller that provides a detailed insight into America's war on drugs. The film takes a 'neutral' stance, giving the perspective of multiple people on both sides without pushing an anti-drug agenda. Its documentary-style approach lets the viewer make up their own mind, which I appreciated.

This film has multiple storylines running parallel with one another, which is not easy to pull off and has not always been a success when I've seen it attempted before. However, in the case of 'Traffic', it becomes immediately clear that we're in the hands of a skilled director and the film is expertly executed. It is a very realistic film and the characters are all highly convincing.

Because of the subject it covers, 'Traffic' is not always an enjoyable watch and it highlights how deep America's drug problem runs. But be in no doubt that this is a very good film all round.

Australia (2008)

A hot mess, but somehow rather enjoyable

[6/10 · 15 April 2020]

Usually I've formed an opinion, good or bad, about a film by the time I'm halfway through it, but in the case of 'Australia', even after sitting through nearly three hours of it and writing this review several days later, I'm still very much 'on the fence' about what I saw.

There are some things I liked about this film. It's wacky and (very) out-there, which always earns bonus points from me. However it achieves it, 'Australia' is a very entertaining film that mixed multiple genres with some degree of success. The characters are fun and eccentric, a little annoying at times, but on this I'll give the film the benefit of the doubt.

Now for the problems - and there are many. 'Australia' really is a mess. I don't even think the filmmakers knew what they wanted out of this film. The storyline and direction is all over the place - one minute it's a slapstick comedy, the next a soppy romance, and then a tense war drama... all in one film.

You can call 'Australia' many things, but boring isn't one of them. Even at nearly three hours, there's always something happening in the film to keep you interested. For all its flaws, there is a lot to like about this film. After all, this is the entertainment business, and 'Australia' certainly fits that bill.

Margin Call (2011)

Absorbing and highly convincing corporate drama

[7/10 · 15 April 2020]

Corporate dramas are not usually my thing but 'Margin Call' had me gripped throughout. Covering events at a bank over one day just before the financial crisis of 2008, the film is effectively tense and absorbing and had me hooked from start to finish, something other corporate dramas I've seen ('The Big Short' for example) have struggled to do.

The main reason 'Margin Call' is so gripping is how realistic and convincing it is. With it being set over such a short space of time, it is easy to feel like you are watching events unfold 'in the moment', almost documentary-style. The film is well-written and the acting is first-rate, which no doubt adds to the realism. I found the characters interesting too, which is not always the case in films like this.

'Margin Call' is an all-round well-made corporiate drama. Engaging, informative, tense and gripping throughout. A very good and highly realistic corporate drama film.

Ford v Ferrari (2019)

Brilliantly shot and acted, a great racing film

[8/10 · 9 April 2020]

'Ford v Ferrari', or 'Le Mans '66' as it is titled here in the UK, is a very enjoyable and extremely well-made racing drama film. It gets the balance between storytelling and action just about right, ensuring it is both entertaining and informative/educational as a true story and biography piece.

My knowledge of racing and cars in general is rather limited, and I certainly had no prior knowledge of Ken Miles before watching this film, but 'Ford v Ferrari' does a great job at being accessible to all audiences rather than just those with an interest in this area. It's easy to follow and you need very little knowledge of motoring to understand what's going on.

Christian Bale and Matt Damon are excellent in their roles. Bale in particular impressed me with his accurate Brummie accent, which can't have been easy to pull off. 'Ford v Ferrari' is great - recommended for everybody, but for racing fans it is definitely a must-see.

Anomalisa (2015)

Unique, but originality only gets you so far

[6/10 · 9 April 2020]

I decided to watch 'Anomalisa' as it sounded interesting and it's not often you get an animated film made exclusively for adults. It's fair to say that this is a very weird film and, although it had me hooked from start to finish, I was left with mixed feelings overall.

The animation is really fascinating - the attention to detail and the way the characters move and act is somehow both realistic and robot-like, which I'm sure was done deliberately. It's also very creepy, especially when all the characters start acting and sounding identical. I liked the sheer strangeness of it all.

The problem is that, for all the film's uniqueness and originality, there isn't much of a plot. It's about a sad and lonely middle-aged man who experiences an 'anomaly' when he meets a girl - it would have perhaps made a decent short, but there's just not enough going on to justify a full length film.

The Platform (2019)

This gets my vote for the worst film of 2019

[1/10 · 9 April 2020]

...and I say that having not yet seen 'Cats', but surely it can't be worse than this monumental pile of garbage. This isn't the first time I've watched a terrible film and then logged onto IMDb only to see people raving about it, but while most of the time I can understand people's reasons for liking a movie, on this occasion I cannot.

Before I even get on to the sheer absurdity of 'El hoyo' or 'The Platform', I have to say that the fact that this film dubbed in English really bugs me. I've seen a lot of foreign-language films and not once have I had a problem reading the subtitles. It's just plain annoying when the visuals and audio don't match.

The initial setup in this film is ridiculous to begin with and becomes more and more farcical (and depraved) as it goes along, eventually reaching what is one of the worst movie endings I have ever had the misfortune of seeing. Yes, I know that it is intended to be an elaborate societal metaphor, but anybody over the age of five understands that this is how the world works - we don't need a 94 minute film to tell us and certainly not in such a disgusting way.

The Place Beyond the Pines (2012)

Tense thriller that turnes into an intriguing drama

[8/10 · 9 April 2020]

'The Place Beyond the Pines' is a strong addition to the crime genre - a compelling and unpredictable film that evolves from an action/thriller into a very effective and moving drama.

Unlike most crime/thrillers of the modern day, 'The Place Beyond the Pines' places a lot more more emphasis on character development and depth of story, which was unexpected but definitely welcome. We get to know the characters and their backstories in the first half of the film which makes it easier to connect emotionally in the second 'drama' half.

Personally I'd have preferred a bit more action and perhaps a shorter conclusion as the film does drag towards the end. Gosling's character, who provides all of the action in the film, is killed off too early for me and the slow pacing in the second half doesn't help. These are minor issues though and 'The Place Beyond the Pines' is a very good film overall.

Happy Gilmore (1996)

Some good light-hearted entertainment

[7/10 · 5 April 2020]

'Happy Gilmore' is another love/hate Adam Sandler comedy and your opinion on Sandler as an actor will probably determine whether you like this film or not. Although he has undeniably been in some stinkers, I've always liked Sandler and found him funny.

It's the same old Sandler formula in 'Happy Gilmore' - silly characters, a ridiculous story and plenty of dumb jokes. Exactly what you would expect, but it does serve a purpose as a piece of light-entertainment and it does consistently provide laughs, which should be how any comedy movie is judged.

Overall, 'Happy Gilmore' is definitely one of Adam Sandler's better movies. It's fun and entertaining, and that's really all you can ask for from a film like this.