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jamesmaybrick
Reviews
Immortally Yours (2009)
Cheered me up.
For some reason Amazon prime decided to show me this to watch. So I did. It's was obviously a low budget thing, so kudos for actually getting a thing made. Neither I nor any of the other "critics" commenting can say that. Credit where it's due.
It looks and feels like a tv episode of Highlander, I think the opening credits were in the same font.
It's not good. It's really not well made in any one area.
The story is some mishmash of the usual tortured angsty vamp. Nothing new. None of the vampire gang are in any way characters, with the single exception of one who die some reason doesn't like our hero. We don't ever get to know them.
The love interest? The dialogue they have her saying? Just bad. Funny bad.
Everyone else? Bad. Funny bad.
The ending? Genuinely the most hilarious thing I have ever seen. Even Mel Brooks at his best could not come up with something so ludicrously, unintentionally, brilliantly bad.
The Sandman (2022)
Very mixed.
I'm not necessarily opposed to race/gender swaps. But when that is done you still need the cast someone who can carry off the inherent characteristics of that character beyond dangly bits and melanin. You need actors of talent and scripts/dialogue that still capture that character. Why not use the guy who has actually been doing Constantine for around 10 years now?
But all that aside the biggest problems are inherent in the serial killer convention. The Collectors are all far more interesting than any of the actual protagonists. I was rooting for the genuinely excellent Corinthian the whole way. Which is the issue. The actor is a real talent and is able to give a genuine monster far more character and engender far more sympathy than the "good guys". This isn't Dexter.
It's not all bad, just some uninteresting leads and unbalanced acting talent.
The Terminal List (2022)
Incredible show.
Just a great story, fantastic performances and actual characters. The show is one of the most spectacularly violent things I have watched in decades, but that violence always serves a purpose.
I imagine a certain demographic are confused by its total lack of identity politics instead opting for simply having characters.
As much as Amazon deservedly come under fire for their desecration of Tolkien they are the masters of bringing this type of story from the books to your device of choice. Bosch is perfect, Reacher is incredible (better than the actual book by far) and the Expanse and probably others.
Watch it and enjoy a well crafted action thriller.
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021)
Excellent show.
Judging by the reviews of this show, most people watching it have never watched or read anything by Marvel. Just ignore anything which states "too political". Its frankly disturbing to think that this gem is too political, when Cap has always, always been a political character. It's in his name genius's. How could a show in this day an age, with captain America as the central focus, not talk about race and racism.
Crazy talk to think otherwise.
Condor (2018)
Weak
One of the most intriguing characters in the original film is Joubert. He is late middle aged, utterly professional in his murder. Is always calm, methodical. Never cruel, just practical. Joubert in the series is a very pretty young woman, so far so Hollywood remake. But..she is a (in show) described as a psychotic nymphomaniac, who likes to seduce her victims. Then kill them another day. How is this pro-feminism.
Give me Helen Mirren in the roll, and less sexism please.
Oh, show is dull.
The Magicians: A Life in the Day (2018)
So good.
This episode...I am writing this several months after having seen it. It one of those rare episodes that comes along and just blows away what's usually expected from the show. The show is usually delightfully daft and cheesy. This episode is just beautiful and heartbreaking. Amazing stuff.
Batwoman (2019)
Worlds greatest...what?
Batman is cool because he is smarter and better prepared than is enemies. All the toys and gimmicks are just icing on the cake.
Bat woman is an absolute moron. I'm ok with her not being the total badass, she is still learning. And also a tv serial needs to have its own pacing and fornula.
But she is stupid. Why would anyone have any sympathy for a very stupid hero, when it's not supposed to be a comedy.
I don't get it, and given the very low score no one else does either.
Ghostbusters (1984)
Perfect movie.
It was perfect in 1986. It's still perfect now. Ok, the special effects aren't top the line, but who cares.
But everyone has see it. The real question is why the rating is not 9 or higher?
Mr. Right (2015)
Fun.
There are many wordy reviews of the film, clearly some people get it and some don't. All you need to know before clicking play of Netflix is...do you like Sam Rockwell being Sam Rockwell (dancing/being delightfully odd) and Anna Kendrick (doing her odd shtick). Do like want to see them involved in preposterous gun fights?
And Tim Roth being Tim Roth?
I like all the above and thus, love this stupid, idiotic, happy film.
Doctor Who: Orphan 55 (2020)
Oh dear.
If you like running down corridors, fighting unfortunate stunt men in poor rubber suits then you could watch the original series. If you want to watch an excellent science fiction story with a cautionary sting in the tail, watch the original Planet of the Apes with Charlton Heston.
If you want to watch something which hamfistedly combines the worst of both, watch this shocker.
And worst of all...it's boring.
Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
Not Last Jedi bad.
It's...a mess. To much happens to quickly. But that's because the last movie broke the franchise so hard they had to do so much in this thing. But it is fun. And that's the most important thing in a kids movie. Right?