You can tell a lot of work went into this. Fine performances from Hiddleston and Wilson. I struggle to come up with any criticism; the dialogue can be so technical as to seem convoluted. That's about it. Original concept. Good soundtrack production. I think people will rewatch this. Looking forward to more.
Reviews
98 Reviews
Riders of Justice
(2020)
A very dark comedy
24 May 2021
Good film. If you liked 'Parasite' you'll probably enjoy this. Somewhat predictable plot... 25 minutes too long... Just plain unbelievable at certain points.... Excellent lighting and cinematography. Excellent performances from the lead and the entire cast.
Godzilla vs. Kong
(2021)
Enjoyable movie. But not a 8.
1 April 2021
This movie is an homage to the very-campy Godzilla movies made in Japan during the 80s and 90s, which became exceedingly fanciful, and eventually resembled anime-style fantasy. Never mind that technologies which can't possibly exist are commonly used, nor that no country on earth could afford to build such things, much less any private company.
Action scenes are entertaining and even brilliantly imaginative at times. Godzilla's face displays emotion for the first time, in a way which is not corrosive to the character. In "reality" this contest would end the moment Godzilla used his "atomic breath". The producers have come up with a decent if fanciful device to balance the odds.
Intermediate scenes are tedious, and feature the same kind of low-octane humor and affable cast we've seen so many times (in Transformers, Pacific Rim, etc.)
I wish I could give this a 6.5, but I can't give it a 7. From a lifelong Godzilla fan.
Action scenes are entertaining and even brilliantly imaginative at times. Godzilla's face displays emotion for the first time, in a way which is not corrosive to the character. In "reality" this contest would end the moment Godzilla used his "atomic breath". The producers have come up with a decent if fanciful device to balance the odds.
Intermediate scenes are tedious, and feature the same kind of low-octane humor and affable cast we've seen so many times (in Transformers, Pacific Rim, etc.)
I wish I could give this a 6.5, but I can't give it a 7. From a lifelong Godzilla fan.
Cobra Kai
(2018–2025)
Good show, but violent and not for kids
12 January 2021
I've watched all three seasons. Guilty pleasure.
Macchio (who is 75% Italian but looks 200% Greek) is a servicable actor. Zabka's acting is rusty but improving. In my opinion the breakout star is the kid who plays Dimitri.
I looked at advisories online for this show and was surprised to find a great many reviews critical of the show's sexuality, but nearly none which mention violence. In nearly every episode, teenagers beat each other up, break each other's bones and put each other in the hospital.
Macchio (who is 75% Italian but looks 200% Greek) is a servicable actor. Zabka's acting is rusty but improving. In my opinion the breakout star is the kid who plays Dimitri.
I looked at advisories online for this show and was surprised to find a great many reviews critical of the show's sexuality, but nearly none which mention violence. In nearly every episode, teenagers beat each other up, break each other's bones and put each other in the hospital.
This is just generic sci-fi action branded as Star Trek
16 October 2020
I've stayed away from this show despite being a lifelong Trek fan. I more or less knew what to expect. Some of these shows start to turn around in season three so when I saw this episode appear in my queue I decided why not.
Just flat and cringeworthy. Scenes and graphics which could have been found on stock footage websites and in well-worn screenplay books. The dialogue seems to emphasize profound, propulsive language, behind which there is no meaning. The actors are doing the best they can, with material which is wanting to say the least.
The bottom line is is: this isn't Star Trek, has nothing to do with Star Trek, and is just milking a cow which has already been milked dry.
Just flat and cringeworthy. Scenes and graphics which could have been found on stock footage websites and in well-worn screenplay books. The dialogue seems to emphasize profound, propulsive language, behind which there is no meaning. The actors are doing the best they can, with material which is wanting to say the least.
The bottom line is is: this isn't Star Trek, has nothing to do with Star Trek, and is just milking a cow which has already been milked dry.
Raised by Wolves
(2020–2022)
Stupid beyond belief
13 September 2020
I gave up halfway through episode four. The series started out promising but fell off a cliff. They must have known there were major problems during the production. Art design is nice. Earth battle could have been from any sci-fi movie; nothing we haven't seen before many times. This show is full of strange scenes designed to take up time. Some of the editing is weird. Screaming and shrieking is not a substitute for character development. I feel like people are overly positive about this series because we're in an entertainment drought.
Bill & Ted Face the Music
(2020)
Unwatchable
31 August 2020
I'm not political. This is a low-budget movie which looks like it was made over a weekend by junior screenwriters on a macbook. Essentially a vehicle to introduce younger versions of B&T. The actors look old, out of practice and ridiculous. Too much emphasis on special effects.
The father was right: they are losers ;-)
The father was right: they are losers ;-)
The disneyfication of Star Wars
17 August 2020
I guess I'll give this film a six. That's exactly what it is, right? This is an average, family-friendly, formulaic film which plays it safe. Perfectly fine performance from the cast. Story is a letdown. No memorable scenes. A couple of embarassing ones, including a planet where aliens dance like African villagers for some reason. A moment in the cockpit of the Millenium Falcon where, surprise! The little alien dude is on board during a battle for some reason. That kind of trope is dead wood now.
My biggest gripe with the new Star Wars movies is that they don't try to push the special effects envelope as the old ones did.
Nice movie poster though.
My biggest gripe with the new Star Wars movies is that they don't try to push the special effects envelope as the old ones did.
Nice movie poster though.
1917
(2019)
A great film
20 July 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I had no idea what to expect, and wrongly assumed this was a movie of large-scale battles and troop movements. Instead this is a personal journey through the battlefields of WWI, with a very impressive -and athletic- actor in the lead.
By now so much has been said of the cinematogrpahy that I won't go there. I will reluctantly point out what in my opinion could be considered flaws: when the corporal meets up with the first truckoad of troops, and informs them of his mission, wouldn't they immediately cease their current mission and ferry him to his destination, considering the importance of success? I also have to say I found the scene with the girl and the baby to be a bit cliche'. Would civilians really still be lingering in a completely bombed-out city?
These are very minor quibbles. '1917' is a beautiful film to watch. It's a testament to human endurance and power and in my opinion a fitting tribute and one of the greatest war movies ever made.
By now so much has been said of the cinematogrpahy that I won't go there. I will reluctantly point out what in my opinion could be considered flaws: when the corporal meets up with the first truckoad of troops, and informs them of his mission, wouldn't they immediately cease their current mission and ferry him to his destination, considering the importance of success? I also have to say I found the scene with the girl and the baby to be a bit cliche'. Would civilians really still be lingering in a completely bombed-out city?
These are very minor quibbles. '1917' is a beautiful film to watch. It's a testament to human endurance and power and in my opinion a fitting tribute and one of the greatest war movies ever made.
Hamilton
(2020)
I wanted to like this
4 July 2020
This was my first time watching the play. I'm a history buff. I'm also a Lloyd-Weber fan.
This was a disappointment. I guess my first gripe is the soundtrack. It's just non-stop thumping. It gets monotonous. The 'I'm not satisfied' number is well performed but goes on too long. The sets are unambitious. Costumes look nice but why not add some color to the view? The lead actor doesn't fill the shoes of the character he's trying to portray. Sorry.
With all the hype this has received, I'm quite surprised by my reaction to it.
This was a disappointment. I guess my first gripe is the soundtrack. It's just non-stop thumping. It gets monotonous. The 'I'm not satisfied' number is well performed but goes on too long. The sets are unambitious. Costumes look nice but why not add some color to the view? The lead actor doesn't fill the shoes of the character he's trying to portray. Sorry.
With all the hype this has received, I'm quite surprised by my reaction to it.
Bravo!!!
5 March 2020
Well, now I'm excited. Congrats to the producers for a very satisfying full hour of Star Trek. This episode didn't spare anything except maybe a small space battle. The tempo of this episode was excellent. Direction was excellent. Great support from the full cast as well as some old friends. This is how Star Trek should be. More please!
One of the best episodes so far
22 February 2020
This was the best episode at least since the pilot. Good performances from the entire cast. A storyline which has some twists and turns. I honestly think the scene with Patrick Stewart in a beret was designed to be memed.
Terrible, and borderline-racist scene with the mother confronting her son. Is this what white Star Trek writers think black people are like? Kind of surprised there isn't more controversy about that character. Sorry for the rant.
Let's give some credit to the effects team. Very impressive for a series. And the music in this show is excellent.
"One more ting to atone for" was a great line!
Terrible, and borderline-racist scene with the mother confronting her son. Is this what white Star Trek writers think black people are like? Kind of surprised there isn't more controversy about that character. Sorry for the rant.
Let's give some credit to the effects team. Very impressive for a series. And the music in this show is excellent.
"One more ting to atone for" was a great line!
I loved this
10 February 2020
Funny, unserious, marginally historical and beautifully filmed. This ambitious musical film makes no effort to hide the fact that it was made on a shoestring budget. The result is a singular piece of work which simultaneously spoofs hollywood cliches yet manages to be artistic and maybe even poignant.
The filmmakers have indulged themselves with lush green scenery and big skies. My only criticisms are the fact that the last 15 minutes are the slowest of the film. And the fact that this movie has very little to do with history. A viewer might potentially be confused on that point. But that's really all the richer for this enjoyable little musical. Watch it.
The filmmakers have indulged themselves with lush green scenery and big skies. My only criticisms are the fact that the last 15 minutes are the slowest of the film. And the fact that this movie has very little to do with history. A viewer might potentially be confused on that point. But that's really all the richer for this enjoyable little musical. Watch it.
Oh man this is the worst episode yet. Were we all wrong? Was the first episode just a dupe?
6 February 2020
It took STTNG several seasons to hit its stride. I hope 'Picard' is able to last long enough to work out these problems. I worry that this show is so expensive they'll pull the plug if ratings drop.
This episode of 'Picard' was bad, but not as bad as some of those first-season TNG episodes. (And even most of the second season and quite a bit of the third.)
In this episode we've got horrible human dialogue. Truly awkward at times. The most laughable moment is when the captain is sitting with a cartoonishly-jagged shard of metal in his shoulder! And he's not even sweating? Where did this thing come from?? And he puts on his shirt over the ridiculously fake blood?
And showing a character smoking drugs! For shame Star Trek! Straighten up and fly right please.
This episode of 'Picard' was bad, but not as bad as some of those first-season TNG episodes. (And even most of the second season and quite a bit of the third.)
In this episode we've got horrible human dialogue. Truly awkward at times. The most laughable moment is when the captain is sitting with a cartoonishly-jagged shard of metal in his shoulder! And he's not even sweating? Where did this thing come from?? And he puts on his shirt over the ridiculously fake blood?
And showing a character smoking drugs! For shame Star Trek! Straighten up and fly right please.
Star Trek: Picard
(2020–2023)
This has potential
23 January 2020
I'm a huge old Trek fan. TNG will always be the greatest, followed by DS9. I actually enjoyed "Picard". You can tell real work went into this; I was expecting minimal service. Patrick Stewart handles the role with aplomb. Give him some credit. Very few actors work into his age.
The plot was fairly interesting. There are subtle references to various Trek themes. As other reviewers have mentioned, there are clearly some kinks which can be worked out, and I encourage them to do so.
Some artistic license is showcased, particularly with regard to the CGI scenes.
Good luck to all the producers of this show. Looking forward to seeing more.
The plot was fairly interesting. There are subtle references to various Trek themes. As other reviewers have mentioned, there are clearly some kinks which can be worked out, and I encourage them to do so.
Some artistic license is showcased, particularly with regard to the CGI scenes.
Good luck to all the producers of this show. Looking forward to seeing more.
Knives Out
(2019)
Not a bad film, but doesn't warrant the IMDB rating
2 January 2020
A somewhat-watchable mystery/comedy. Frankly it was an effort to finish this. I had mostly lost interest with 20 minutes left to go, and my patience wasn't rewarded.
First of all, the plot is completely implausible. It forces a suspension of disbelief. This is a dark film, which takes a particularly dim view of the wealthy, and perhaps even with white-colored Americans. There's a nasty racist joke at the very beginning about Italians.
I guess my biggest disappointment was the ending. It wasn't much of a reveal.
Decent performance from Daniel Craig in something other than a James Bond movie. The lead actress is cute but I'm not totally sure if she had quite enough presence for the role.
Good rainy-day movie.
First of all, the plot is completely implausible. It forces a suspension of disbelief. This is a dark film, which takes a particularly dim view of the wealthy, and perhaps even with white-colored Americans. There's a nasty racist joke at the very beginning about Italians.
I guess my biggest disappointment was the ending. It wasn't much of a reveal.
Decent performance from Daniel Craig in something other than a James Bond movie. The lead actress is cute but I'm not totally sure if she had quite enough presence for the role.
Good rainy-day movie.
Marriage Story
(2019)
Couldn't finish; I found it tedious
25 December 2019
I found this film to be rather pedestrian yet in the guise of something more sophisticated. The lead characters seem privileged and entitled. A boring story; almost like a documentary about people I wouldn't be interested in knowing.
Avengers: Endgame
(2019)
Disappointing. 'Infinity Wars' was better.
3 November 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Let's face it; no superhero movie is going to win awards for artistry. I collected Marvel comics as a kid so I make a point of watching most of these for curiosity sake. 'Thor Ragnarok' was the only one I've really enjoyed, though 'Infinity Wars' was commendable for the scope, ambition, and special effects. Unfortunately, 'Endgame' is a letdown, a three-hour slog during which every conceivable gimmick is thrown at the viewer in lieu of a satisfying story.
Time travel is a big cheat, in my opinion. The movie tries to be self-aware, making light of the plot device and explicitly referencing other science-fiction movies throughout. A good deal of run time is consumed by rehashing old scenes. Crowding every single cast member into a superscene does not make for a great movie.
There's a scene where all the female heroes fight together in a homage to political correctness and an attempt to lure a certain ticket-buying demographic. I've got to think that moviegoers are getting tired of this.
I've said this in another review, but Mark Ruffalo is a wuss. He should be replaced or given better direction. The Hulk, who was once the highlight of these movies, has been watered down into a boring, predictable character.
Probably a good thing that this film marks the end of a major phase in the franchise. I think these movies have run their course.
Time travel is a big cheat, in my opinion. The movie tries to be self-aware, making light of the plot device and explicitly referencing other science-fiction movies throughout. A good deal of run time is consumed by rehashing old scenes. Crowding every single cast member into a superscene does not make for a great movie.
There's a scene where all the female heroes fight together in a homage to political correctness and an attempt to lure a certain ticket-buying demographic. I've got to think that moviegoers are getting tired of this.
I've said this in another review, but Mark Ruffalo is a wuss. He should be replaced or given better direction. The Hulk, who was once the highlight of these movies, has been watered down into a boring, predictable character.
Probably a good thing that this film marks the end of a major phase in the franchise. I think these movies have run their course.
A shameful attempt on all fronts
27 August 2019
I'm a lifelong Godzilla fan. I hated 2014's "Godzilla" and frankly had very low expectations for this sequel. I was still somehow disappointed. The washed out look of this film, the halfhearted dialogue and storyline, the bland slate of actors lined up for this movie - which appears to have been marketing primarily to less-critical audiences in China.
This is a new minimum-standard in moviemaking. They go through all the predictable motions. No charm whatsoever. In stark contrast to the recent Japanese-made "Shin Godzilla" which was very enjoyable.
I want to call out the male lead in this film. He seems to appear in every movie like this, makes the exact same stupid face and tries to act emphatic. Blah!
Tojo should be careful about licensing their treasured character to fly-by-night cheeseball movie studios. Otherwise they could permanently tarnish the brand.
This is a new minimum-standard in moviemaking. They go through all the predictable motions. No charm whatsoever. In stark contrast to the recent Japanese-made "Shin Godzilla" which was very enjoyable.
I want to call out the male lead in this film. He seems to appear in every movie like this, makes the exact same stupid face and tries to act emphatic. Blah!
Tojo should be careful about licensing their treasured character to fly-by-night cheeseball movie studios. Otherwise they could permanently tarnish the brand.
Alita: Battle Angel
(2019)
A prequel which could have been a great science-fiction film
4 July 2019
I just watched this. A nice-looking film, no doubt. But it could have been so much better. My chief gripe is that it is ever so clearly setting the stage for a sequel. Making it just half a movie. And as a result there's way too much filler material. To the point that the editing doesn't even seem so great. Anyone agree with that? On the flip side, we get some decent character development - over a running time which seems much longer than two hours.
I doin't even mind that this film is quite derivative. Others will say it pays homage to films such as Robocop and Gladiator. There is one great scene involving cyborg dogs. As I said above, there are other scenes which are just unnecessary.
I liked Alita herself. Good performance from the lead. Definitely didn't like the actor who plays her boyfriend.
Looking forward to the sequel which we all know is coming.
I doin't even mind that this film is quite derivative. Others will say it pays homage to films such as Robocop and Gladiator. There is one great scene involving cyborg dogs. As I said above, there are other scenes which are just unnecessary.
I liked Alita herself. Good performance from the lead. Definitely didn't like the actor who plays her boyfriend.
Looking forward to the sequel which we all know is coming.
The Amazing Spider-Man
22 February 2019
This film is a game changer. It's also the first movie to depict Spider-Man as an adult (as he actually was throughout most of the comic's history).
By now everyone has remarked on the visuals; I'll second that, as well as the lighting, and the sound. You can tell a lot of love went into this.
By now everyone has remarked on the visuals; I'll second that, as well as the lighting, and the sound. You can tell a lot of love went into this.
Venom
(2018)
Well at least I wasn't bored
5 December 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Silly, unserious, and at times completely ridiculous, 'Venom' offers an origin story which is completely unrelated to the comics, and for that matter, spider-man. This isn't necessarily a bad thing. This idea had potential, but the execution results in a bunch of cliches (particularly as concerns the "villain", a stereotypical tech CEO.)
Tom Hardy is great to watch no matter what movie he's in. Without him this film would be completely forgettable.
Using Carnage as the evil symbiote, rather than some random Venom clone would have seemed the obvious route, but they are clearly saving that character for the sequel.
Tom Hardy is great to watch no matter what movie he's in. Without him this film would be completely forgettable.
Using Carnage as the evil symbiote, rather than some random Venom clone would have seemed the obvious route, but they are clearly saving that character for the sequel.
Red Sparrow
(2018)
A pretty contrived depiction of life in Russia
5 November 2018
The person in the seat in front of me on the plane was watching this, so I was sort of subjected to it against my will. This is a pretty cartoonish depiction of Russia. They even have a character who was clearly designed to look just like Vladimir Putin. As far Jennifer Lawrence's character goes, she strips down to her underwear at least a half-dozen times. So just know what you're getting into with this film.
Avengers: Infinity War
(2018)
Entertaining
7 August 2018
Warning: Spoilers
This was one of Marvel's better offerings. It has some great scenes, and some cringeworthy ones.
There's a great scene where they team up and try to restrain Thanos. The racoon is hilarious. The axe-forging sequence was great.
Zoe Saldana's scenes are hard to watch. Mark Ruffalo is very annoying. I don't think he should be in these movies, or at least they should give him better lines and better direction. Chris Pratt is annoying as always.
Most of the movie involves battles where a hero is close to being killed, then gets rescued at the last moment by another hero. This happens throughout the film.
I didn't like Josh Brolin as Thanos. Memorable villains are extremely rare. This one had potential but I would have used a more emotive actor.
Lastly: where is the Army and the police, while Earth is being invaded by aliens. They are nowhere to be seen =/
There's a great scene where they team up and try to restrain Thanos. The racoon is hilarious. The axe-forging sequence was great.
Zoe Saldana's scenes are hard to watch. Mark Ruffalo is very annoying. I don't think he should be in these movies, or at least they should give him better lines and better direction. Chris Pratt is annoying as always.
Most of the movie involves battles where a hero is close to being killed, then gets rescued at the last moment by another hero. This happens throughout the film.
I didn't like Josh Brolin as Thanos. Memorable villains are extremely rare. This one had potential but I would have used a more emotive actor.
Lastly: where is the Army and the police, while Earth is being invaded by aliens. They are nowhere to be seen =/
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