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godfreyvanwyk
Reviews
3 Body Problem (2024)
Interesting story with weak ensing
The story line is something unique and held a lot of promise. However, as the plot unfolds it lost a lot of steam. The pace is also at a snails pace and the storylines are weak. It could have been one of the smash hits of the year but in the end it just another mixed stir fry with weak spices added for flavour. The weak link for me is the agency investigating the phenomena. Two guys alone uncovering decade long secrets by just following people. They have left some crumbs for the second season and I hope it will be more fast paced and full of surprises. Otherwise they should just not bother to make the sequel.
Searching (2018)
Refreshing
Althoigh this is a pre-Covid movie, it would actually have been quite right at home with the "single location, easy flow genre" of the said pandemic movie era. This movie should be remade later on with glitzy teens and maybe a crazier dad. The twist was well hidden and the central story surrounded more the fact that our life's are online, it thouroughly enjoyed something new (although an old movie) and really capturing the current social scene. If this movie came out with bigger stars and more all round chic it could probably have been an Oscar nominated movie. Really refreshing and enjoyable watch.
The Ledge (2022)
Been done before
It is obvious that movie studios follow each other with similar releases. That is why the The Fall and the Ledge follows each other in quick succession with similar core stories. The rock climbing thriller cannot be better than Vertical Limits. The girl alone agains the odds has been overdone in the past years with probably the best of them being The Shallows ( the shark movie). The storyline is predictable and shallow. Some people will mention the breathtaking scenery but I prefer the barren landscapes of the The Fall as it adds a degree of hopelessness. This movie is watchable but don't expect a classic, or a surprise such as Spit on your grave.
Zon 100: Zonbi ni naru made ni shitai 100 no koto (2023)
Zombieland 0.0
Zombies are serious business and I prefer it with a dose of action and grit. Trying to merge zombies with slapstick and romcom is a slippery slope. Zombieland is probably the best attempt at such a movie. This movie started out well but loses steam and given the plethora of zombie movies out there uses the predictable nuances of zombie movies and therefore offers nothing new to the viewer. The role of the heroine is very underdeveloped and the portrayal of the heroes in eastern movies are one dimensional. If you are bereft of choice and finances to accesss a good movie, this movie will occupy you for two hours. However it is like fast food, it stills the hunger but does not contribute to the dietary requirements. Give it a skip.
The Mother (2023)
Flatlining all the way
It is surprising how many secret agents' kids or family get abducted and then they have to free them. One would thought that as secret agents their identities are hidden. But alas.... The movie plot has been done before and compared to a Long Kiss Goodnight, it is like junior school vs university. The villains are plastic at best and the storyline is flat and predictable. J Lo is not a bad actor but she requires a typical romcom or emotional role. The action hero is probably a bit too far to be believable. Everytime she goes into a fight scene I waited for a background soundtrack of "Waiting for Tonight".
Luther: The Fallen Sun (2023)
Rip-off from Hostel
One realises that there are only so many storylines and that it is difficult to create new content. But Luther, the fallen sun is a blatant rip off of Hostel with the plot of people being kidnapped and killed for the amusement of others. The low down dirty gritty Hostel movie was much more believable then this drivel. The. You have a permed villain trying to audition for a Bond villain. Edries Elba is becoming a frustrated actor. He had so much potential but chose some bad scripts. He is now falling from one flop to another. The movie in itself is shallow and does not achieve any heights. The last scene in the movie is very Bond like when he goes to kill Mr white across a lake. The movie was disappointing and unoriginal. Guess that's why it is on Netflix.
The School for Good and Evil (2022)
When Harry Potter meets High School Musical
I looked at the list of well-established stars and thought that it could be some interesting viewing on offer. Needless to state that the movie is geared towards the teenage market, but shame one must feel for teenagers being fed on a movie diet of candy floss and soda. It looks good but you are gonna regret it later. Same with this movie. The build-up is not bad, but not original in he same breath. It must really be a tough time for actors in Hollywood and it must be demoralising for oscar winners and nominees to put their names to hogwash. What a waste of talent on a non-descript movie. If you need to switch-off your brain for an hour or two, look no further.
Morbius (2022)
Predictable
I expected more, but the plot was predictable. Too much emphasis placed on the special effects to whow the audience. I think Marvel should give it a rest now. Halfway through the movie there was no identifiable villain and it was obvious who the villain was going to be and how the plot was going to unfold.
There has been many excellent vampire movies and each had its own flavour. From Interview with a Vampire, Vampires, Blade, Dracula the 2020 remake, Underworld, each of these were classics. In a way I think that they wanted to create a comic feel to the movie and failed dismally to transport us to a place where we can be entertained.