Reviews

First off Spacey, ( as ever) gives a great performance as a damaged (emotionally and physically) but kind hearted and inspiring teacher. It frustrates me that I struggle to watch him now (2024) because he is such a superb actor!! Second, Helen Hunt. Good actress but hopelessly and I mean hopelessly miscast as a sassy, downtrodden alcoholic single mum. It's not her best role or finest hour. She's too prim. Doesn't let herself go at all. Anyway, the premise of doing good for strangers ( pay it forward) is a wholesome ideal and can be an aspiration that tries and struggles to provide the arc of the story. Some of the situations ( love story) are unclear and drown out the original idea. Haley Joel Osment does his usual acting turn with aplomb but again is lost in the original idea. Many loose ends. No karma or redemption that I would expect. It just of meanders along like a boozy evening with Trevor's mum (Hunt) . The one plot line that tries to sow it all together is the journalist's pursuit of 'Pay it Forward' as something benevolent and selfless after being gifted a car by someone who benefited themselves. A couple of twists work nicely later on though the plot does all become quite contrived. I'd have rated this higher but Helen Hunt is just so misplaced, it jars.

I'm not sure what level of reality I'm expected to be operating on..( said Malcolm Tucker in 'The Thick of it') Never been a big fan of Catherine Tate but always tried to give her the benefit of the doubt to tingle my comedy tastes. This doesn't help me at all. It's dross. So unfunny. Incredibly bland. The idea that she would be a Princess in the first place with her contrived, unpolished demeanour is a stretch at the most generous. Her character in Dr Who was her renaissance. Her short term role in the US Office was less impactful..It does show that her early success was due to some lucky writing collaborations and big budgets. I hope she has further success in other projects. But not with this. Awful.

You know, years ago I read a very simple comment about the fact that Indiana Jones presence, in Raiders of the Lost Ark, actually changed nothing. His intervention didn't stop the Nazi's opening the ark of the covenant. In fact he assisted them. Now that may be open to debate Still a great adventure, brilliantly done. A classic!

I draw the comparison because of Jennifer Lopez and her inclusion in this film. It adds nothing and detracts from a capable story. As I understand, 20 years later, the director/writer had to change tack making it into a confused and static rom-com. Static because the dialogue just pushes nothing, solves nothing, creates barely any excitement or intrigue. The appearance of Christopher Walken as a veteran cynical cop is a rich cameo that is lost in the relationship building that is totally out of place. All the planned poses of Lopez; smiling, at yoga, pouting etc. Brings any momentum to a shuddering halt. Affleck's awkward ham acting actually helps at times but no one really cares. In the end it's as predictable as it was within the first 15 minutes. It sits rightly in the bargain bin of missed opportunities and studio editing from hell.

Lopez could have been removed from the film and it would have been a good story.

Indiana Jones on the other hand is Raiders of the Lost Ark and drives the whole film. Now imagine if Spielberg had pressure from the Studio to just make it a Rom-Com with Marian and Jones sitting about her bar for half the film. It's not entertaining. Reviewing this in 2023, it's a movie that ironically feels static and shallow.

I liked the comedy in theory and how it might sit in this light action escapade. Something new perhaps but what a great disappointment. I'm afraid this probably would not have been made had it not been Arnie as the lead. The plot has so many varying holes but also riddled with cliches and as I've said about politicians (saying they'd offer something new) I've seen it all before! The casting director should really look for another job as this ensemble are really poor. Acting is so average. You expect from Arnie of course. He's never improved . The Roo character is like a Disney animation; street smart but also a seemingly expert in aviation, mathematics and IT. The NSA intern transforms from a nervous ninny in episode one to suddenly becoming skilled in a variety of roles by episode 2. It's clunky and unsatisfying. The crowning failure seems to be script but worse...plot! The relationships are cringe making. Jay Burachel is wasted (3 episodes in) by just being a wet boyfriend to Emma. Though I'm hoping he's going to be an antagonist, I can't see it. The work this "special group" undertake seems to be incredibly part time. No real hard work. As others have mentioned it does feel like an AI has written the script. Sadly they don't care about reviews! Could have been much better had the plots been thought about. It's just really forgettable.

I'm really just here as a viewer not a games fan just to say how incredibly impressed I was by Nico Parker. Holding the first half of the first episode almost single handedly. What a great actress and what a smile. I think the whole concept is frightening and so depressing but well done to HBO for having the spuds to release this in such a world we currently have. It's living up to the hype and showing that young talented actors, given the right vehicle, can outplay ( see the games reference) the adult counterparts quite superbly. Pedro Pascal gives that weary look of a man working to deal with his grief quite superbly but it's Bella Ramsey as Ellie who really sets her sights on grabbing this show by the parasites. However, for all their efforts, Nico Parker gets my vote for the best, understated performance by a teen in a very adult show, that I've seen in years. Great start. Press play!

It's very poorly written, Besides the efforts of some great talent and experience, it lacks any cohesion. This could be cleaned up a bit and fitted into a daytime slot. It's very bland. Yet another vehicle for Sheridan Smith, who've I've never been convinced she's leading actor material. A younger actor could have been better at the role more enthusiastic for example the drama seam of her addictions ( stemming from denial of assault or abortion) is confused and never seems to be addressed in a mature manner. Having mentioned that, the drama is better than the comedy. She never convinces as the wayward daughter. It's just poorly written . It needs a rewrite (if this sees the light of day for another series). I get the impression they've tried to take one of 'The Derry Girls' and plonked her in an up to date story.

Priestley was a great story teller. This possibly his greatest achievement. The stage play itself was extraordinary. This film elevated it to iconic!

Along with 12 Angry Men it is such an absorbing story that you cannot but get pulled in to the machinations of this troupe. Reviewing this in 2022 makes the story so pertinent. The haves and have nots. The rich, the poor etc. Nothing has changed! Ironically my only criticism would be that Eva could have been saved in the time it took the Inspector to reveal the family's dreadful attitude and unconscious collusion. Stellar performances from them all. Guy Hamilton as director did an extraordinary job and must take huge credit. However I take my hat off to any actor who accepts the challenge to appear alongside Alistair Sim. The man was a bloody genius of an actor.