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Reviews
Ripley (2024)
It's Great/It's Boring
I don't ever remember watching something that could bore you to tears at times, and yet still look so good doing it so that you didn't want it to end.
Visually Ripley is a 10. Performances are a 10. The pace is enough to put you to sleep, and maybe that's a good thing. Maybe we are too used to action, and dialog, and exposition filling our minds and directing us through the story.
Being presented in black and white definitely adds to the atmosphere and Italy looks incredible, and I'm sure exactly as it did in 1961.
I'm not sure if Andrew Scott works as the lead character, Tom Ripley. Usually con men are charming or have some kind of magnetism. He's kind of creepy, and yet things always seem to go his way.
Definitely not for everyone, but worth checking out.
Rebel Moon - Part Two: The Scargiver (2024)
Unwatchable
I remember watching the first installment of this movie but do not remember anything about it. When I cued up Part 2, elements of the story started to come back to me, and not in a good way.
I was only able to get through about 25-30 minutes of this movie before I decided my time would be better spent doing pretty much anything.
It's mind boggling to me the amount of money, time, and effort spend to create a movie such as this, and have it be such a nothing burger. You can apply every negative sci-fi/action movie cliche in the book to Rebel Moon Part 2.
There are too many problems to list, but the thing that made the least sense to me is how this advanced civilization depended on citizens of a slave planet manually harvesting a crop. Just stupid movie making.
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024)
Wait Until It Streams
Nostalgia isn't enough to carry the day with this formulaic tribute to Hollywood mediocrity.
Much has been made of the not-so-thinly-veiled lesbian relationship between Phoebe Spengler and Melody's ghost. What's the reason to include this? Seems like DEI, because there's absolutely zero depth to this relationship and it adds absolutely nothing to story due to the way it's handled. Seems like it's a 'check the box,' plot point.
They are lesbians: who cares? If you're not going to actually do something to develop it, why bother? It's more cowardly to have handled the relationship they way they did. Would have been better off not even including it, precisely because it seems like it's just another thing to do rather than something important in the story.
Bill Murray in one of the all-time, mail it in performances. Ackroyd gives it his all. Ernie Hudson is earnest and looks like he hasn't aged since the original.
Depressing to see a cookie cutter, by the numbers production of an iconic franchise, when the movie could have been good.
Dune: Part Two (2024)
Great Movie With Holes in the Plot
Dune 2 is a great movie that can be enjoyed despite some holes in the plot and questionable story elements. The movie is great visually and serves as an example of how CGI doesn't have to make a movie seem sterile and fake, or like watching a video game like the new brand of Marvel movies and Aquaman do.
The cast is great - Christopher Walken should have had more scenes and other than it being him, his performance was not unique in any way - and there is a non credited appearance that I'm not going to spoil that is a wow!
The movie is long, but there's a difference between long and too long, and any movie that wants to be an epic.
Mean Girls (2024)
Hollywood's Vacuousness On Display
I went to this movie because I have a pass to a movie theater chain that allows unlimited monthly viewings, so on the plus side I didn't pay $15 to see this garbage.
The fact that Hollywood's 'creative' minds decided to green light a remake of a mediocre 20-year old Lindsay Lohan film tells you all that you need to know about just how barren Hollywood's creative cupboard is. And as a musical to boot.
I only stayed to see just how bad the this movie could get, and not only was it bad, it was terribly boring, which is a greater insult. Every teen movie convention is jammed into this film, but it's as if the filmmaker's goal was represent these plot standards as poorly as possible.
Don't bother!
Monarch: Legacy of Monsters (2023)
Split Personality, But Definitely Worth Watching
The show is a 10 from the standpoint of the concept, story, action, and Kurt Russell and his real life son Wyatt. Actually, the majority of the cast is great.
However, the 'modern day' group of 3 is a disaster of millennial angst that seems to be TRYING to ruin the show. Whomever decided on this group - Cate, May, and Kentaro - was way off base as they are unlikeable, whiny brats for most of their screen time who throw tantrums based on personal issues when they are faced with the survival of the planet.
I was originally going to give the show a 4 or 5 to 'even out' these elements. But the more I thought about it, the strength of the positive elements of the show overcome these 3. I really think the story line could be told with a minimum of the personal nonsense that has been imbedded into the script.
FBI: International (2021)
Propaganda By Any Other Name...
Why are we bombarded with FBI shows? Why is the FBI getting the CSI and Law and Order treatment? Operation Mockingbird is alive and well, as evidenced by these shows and storylines.
Why not a show about the IRS, as they are equally as reviled and as corrupt as the FBI? If anyone doesn't think the entertainment industry hasn't been captured by the Deep State/government, this show should dissolve any remaining doubts for anyone not sure.
At a time when this agency is rotten from the top down - and has been for years - this attempt at making the FBI good guys is transparent and laughable. While in reality the FBI is running roughshod on the Constitution, spying on churches, school board meetings, and our own politicians, this show serves as nothing more than government approved propaganda.
Star Trek: Turnabout Intruder (1969)
Ruined By Ham Shatner
Some have said this is the worst - or one of the worst - episodes and it's a shame that it was the last episode in the series.
I disagree and actually think the story is one of the best of the 80. However, what IS the worst is Shatner's performance. As a matter of fact, I think many of the funny quirks that people use to make fun of his acting - and over acting - were born out of this episode.
The concept of switching personalities and the execution of it is well done. The crew rightly catches on and starts to question Kirk's behavior almost immediately, with Spock and McCoy being the first and most 'clued in,' to something being wrong.
So while it wasn't a great episode to mark the end of the series, it's due to Shatner, not the story or other elements of the show.
Star Trek: Requiem for Methuselah (1969)
Should Have Been a 10, Proves Spock Was Real Star of Show
This episode has all of the necessary elements that should have made the one of the best of the 80 episodes. As it is, the story is one of the 3 best of the series.
My main takeaway is that this episode makes it clear that Spock is clearly the star of the series, not Kirk. Certainly, Kirk is the center of the stories, but without Spock the show does not achieve greatness. Keep this in mind and go back and re-re-re-rewatch 😋the episodes from 1-80, and Spock's primacy is obvious.
None of the Enterprises successes would have been possible without Spock. Kirk rode his Vulcan coattails.
This episode is almost ruined by Kirk's puppy dog love crush on Reyna, and it's too bad that the director didn't soften this a bit.
Star Trek: The Way to Eden (1969)
Worst of the 80 Shows
Star Trek dealt with 'big picture' issues faced by society in the 60's. However, this episode that grafted a hippy resistance storyline to the Star Trek universe is just silly and doesn't age well. The numerous musical numbers combined with using 60's slang and clothing styles is CRINGE on a grand scale.
Watching the series from 1-80 this episode is the proverbial turd in the punchbowl, especially coming on the heels of the 'Methuselah' episode.
There are so many absurd plot points in this script that you can't help but think the show's producers knew the end was near and just didn't have the energy to tighten it up.
The only thing that makes this episode a 3 and not a 1 is the dialog between Spock and Kirk, where Kirk realizes he's the 'square,' after Spock tells him the meaning of the term the hippies applied to him.
Napoleon (2023)
Contributing to Death of Traditional Movie Business
Not much happens. There are a lot of battles. There is zero context to provide why Napoleon was able to come to the top of the power structure in France. In my viewing of the movie it appears that everyone around Napoleon was kind of laughing or at least snickering at him behind his back. Phoenix has two expressions, and one of them is expressionless. Like DeNiro mugging for the camera in Killers of Flower Moon.
If this is acting, it's no wonder people are staying away from movie theaters.
There is a bigger problem with this movie and the other so called blockbusters of 2023, aside from Mission Impossible and Indiana Jones (not a popular opinion).
Nothing in Napoleon, Priscilla, Killers of the Flower Moon, The Creator, Marvels, or any other movie except for MI has made it special to go to the movies. Streaming services produce movies and other shows that are way more compelling than these studio motion pictures.
It's no surprise that box office receipts are down with these uninspiring movies.
Priscilla (2023)
Nothing New. Boring. Why Bother?
Okay, we get it. Elvis was an immature guy with mommy issues, who lacked the real confidence everyone assumed he would have, and abused drugs. It's been 50 years of this. Not interesting.
This is a grim, drab, one dimensional movie that offers nothing new to the Elvis/Elvis and Priscilla story. The actress playing Priscilla doesn't change one bit and in the last scene of the movie - a horrendous ending BTW - she still seems like the 14 year old girl at the start of the movie. Her and 'Elvis' seem like 2 kids in costumes playing grown ups rather than actors playing roles.
There is not one character with any depth in the entire picture. This might as well have been filmed with just the 2 leads surrounded by cardboard cutouts. The fact that Priscilla cooperated with the production of this movie doesn't speak well about her.
People in the media and movie makers should have this much energy looking into and tearing down people in our society that have real impact, like politicians, business leaders and religious leaders. Who really is shocked when a singer or actor is a bad person or a substance abuser? Who cares?
Skip this movie.
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023)
Loved It. Will Go Again.
I have grown up with the Indiana Jones movies, so perhaps I'm biased, but I don't know what more Indiana fans could want in a movie. We get one last time to spend 150+ minutes with our favorite archeologist.
The gift of Harrison Ford keeps giving and after 40+ years the 80 year old Harrison/Indiana gives a great and appropriate performance. I thought the de-aging scenes were great and incredibly natural looking.
The action scenes were exciting and didn't drag on as they did in the interminable Flash and recent Guardians of the Galaxy. The CGI wasn't overwhelming and didn't detract from the movie as in those above mentioned movies and the latest Any Man film.
The story was great and all the performances were in keeping with the exceptional jobs done by actors in the other movies in the series.
If you're an Indy fan go see the movie and enjoy yourself!
Into the Deep (2020)
I Don't Understand Low Scores
Truth is stranger than fiction has never been more true. For people who watch - and enjoy - other fictional shows and movies that seem to be beyond bizarre, 'Into the Deep,' is everything you could ask for, but not fiction. This could be an episode of 'Black Mirror.'
When watching the documentary there are times where you'll think this is a movie and not a true story. All of the 'characters' are real and are having real reactions, in real time, to the revelations about the case as they become public. It's super interesting to see, not acting, but how real people react when they are thrust into the middle of a controversy/tragedy, as it unfolds and not after the fact.
An amazing moment in the documentary is when a female crew member of the team realizes, as the story unfolds about the murder of the female journalist, that she very well could have been the murder victim, if she had gone out in the sub, after having been invited by Peter.
The creepiest element of this documentary is the portrait of the villain, Peter. He's not some Hollywood characterization of an obvious psychopath, which makes the story more compelling.
Silo (2023)
Great Show. Must Watch.
Silo is a great show and worth waiting for the new episode to be released every week. If you haven't watched the show yet, you will miss the anticipation for the next week's show to drop, but you certainly will want to binge watch.
The story has a similar feel to many of these mysterious, dystopian shows. Part Thriller. Part Mystery. Definite Social Commentary.
The production values are high and with the exception of Common - he has a cool voice, but can't act - the show's cast is fantastic.
I'm glad that it's been announced that there's going to be another season because I'm sick of investing time and effort into a season of a show only to find out it's been canceled.
The show has also made me want to read the books. Definitely check out Silo.
Black Summer (2019)
Falls Prey to Cliched Writing Trap
I really want to like this show - but just like so many other shows of this genre, we are given dumb characters doing dumb things despite knowing they are doing dumb things.
Shows of this genre have the same set up; don't trust anyone, don't chase anything that takes you from the group, don't forget there are zombies around every corner, don't draw attention to yourself, don't make any loud noises, etc.
And yet in every episode, every character violates one or all of these rules. It's the same crap, the emotional tug is too much and they go looking for the little kid or walk into the abandoned supermarket for a wonderful shopping spree until they stumble across a zombie and the de rigueur chase commences.
Endless, chaotic chase/fight sequences with crazed zombies biting and overly armed crazed non-zombies firing indiscriminately, and always hitting their targets
It's amazing to me with all the thought and effort that goes into making these shows, this lazy writing predominates.
By the second season I disliked every character in the show and didn't care who lived and who died.
MH370: The Plane That Disappeared (2023)
Definitely Worth Watching
I wonder if these negative reviewers actually watched all of the shows.
Seems that the new way to shut down thought and debate is to cry, 'conspiracy theory, and offer up no other evidence.
First of all, to say this is a case of when in doubt blame Russia, renders the reviews worthless, as blame is spread over a wide range of countries and entities, not the least of which is the US & FBI.
To say this series isn't worth watching, or that it's simply an outlet for outlandish conspiracy theories, is ridiculous, and again makes me wonder if any of these negative reviewers even watched the shows.
All of those in the show who offer their scenarios admit that they are hard to believe, but the story from the establishment that somehow this 777 simply disappeared, is more ludicrous.
Jeff Wise - and other people in the show - NEVER says that his theory is the truth. These people all say that while their theories are hard to believe, the official line from the establishment, certainly is not credible.
The bumbling cast of characters from the Malaysian government and airline, do nothing to give credibility to the story that the plane just disappeared.
As long as the official report doesn't rule out a third party's involvement - which it hasn't - there is reason to explore any and all ways to explain what happened to these people.
Capitani (2019)
Worth a Watch
In my opinion, all foreign productions should be watched in their native language with subtitles, as it adds to the quality feeling of the show.
Capitani is an enjoyable watch, nothing earth shattering, but filmed in a great setting and has enough interesting characters to make the show enjoyable. The episodes are all around 30 minutes, so you don't need to devote an inordinate amount of time to the show before deciding if you want to continue.
The episodes move quickly. Despite the story line being a little muddled from the first to second seasons, it sorts itself out in the end.
The lead actor does a great job portraying a guy, down and out at just about rock bottom, and carries the show over the 24 episode, 2 seasons.
Facing Nolan (2022)
You Don't Have to Be a Fan to Love This
This is a must watch for every sports fan, and non-sports fans will enjoy this as well. Nolan's career arc coincided with the prime of my life as an athlete and sports fan, and I feel like I 'grew up,' watching him.
It is rare that an all-time great athlete is also underrated. This seems like it would be impossible, and yet when you look at his career and notoriety, I feel that Ryan is underrated and under appreciated.
Ryan pitched in a day when you could watch your local team pretty much every day, but rarely did you see the superstar players from other teams almost every day, like you can today. So players like Ryan existed, mostly, in a fan's imagination; you could read the accounts in the newspaper, and imagine what a player did, and then hopefully get a glimpse of him when he played your hometown team.
This documentary does a good job of making you feel what it might have been like to see Ryan pitch regularly, while gaining a better appreciation for his greatness.
It was a treat to grow up watching him play, and a treat to watch this documentary.
Against the Ice (2022)
Great Movie, Worth Watching
Despite what some reviewers have said, this film was not boring. Not every movie can be a 'Fast and Furious' clone with chases and fights. This is a gripping and tension filled film that still provides action, but the best feature is the relationship between the two leads.
The filmmakers did a great job of portraying the tedium and hopelessness of being stranded in the arctic without proper equipment and provisions.
Incredible scenery and great performances by all. Makes me want to read the book, even though I have read about other arctic expeditions, I wasn't familiar with this story.
Amazing true story about survival in the face of impossible odds. Worth watching.
Locke & Key (2020)
Progressively Worse With Each Episode
Five minutes of actual plot surrounded by 40 minutes of meaningless dumb, clichéd, and predictable writing. Over acting and poor writing isn't a good combination. I kept watching with the hope the show would turn around, but no such luck. The shows get worse with each episode. Also, Netflix makes sure to check all the PC boxes, as well. Big disappointment.
Keep Breathing (2022)
A Waste of Opportunity, a Waste of Time
At times I was thinking this was a 7-8+, and at times I felt like giving it a ZERO. A lot of potential squandered. Flashbacks and fantasy sequences grind momentum to a halt time and time again, to the point where it feels like it's on purpose, like they want to piss you off.
The 2 last episodes are the worst.
The main character, on the whole is unlikeable and unsympathetic, regardless of how the story progresses.
Good thing there are only 6 episodes and they are relatively short.
The Prisoner: Once Upon a Time (1968)
If Yelling Makes a Great Episode...
Than this is for you. Annoying and grating and loud. Two adults screaming at each other like pre-schoolers. You'll feel like fast forwarding past the nonsense.
Resident Evil (2022)
Why Bother?
From the first few minutes you can tell this is going to be bad. Bad CGI. Pollution, climate change, seas boiling blah blah blah...
Why did anyone involved with this project make the effort to produce such vacant garbage?!?
Watching the first show was torture. Hard pass.
The Matrix Resurrections (2021)
Boring and Pointless
This movie is like if really crappy filmmakers set out to rip off the original version of a classic. Don't waste your time. I can't believe I have to use 150 characters here to get this review posted, as it's not worth 150 characters or your time to read 150 characters.