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Reviews
Detectorists: Special (2022)
The common man's Indiana Jones
After five years, nothing much has changed for the detectorists life. It's comforting to see that the costumes, down to Andy's shoes, remain the same. The Triumph looks great but shows some functional scripted wear and tear. Andy has faced some trials and still remains pretty much the same guy. I was initially put off by Lance's (IMO) out of character behavior. This is explained later on, but on first impression I was wondering if someone else wrote the script.
The acting is so enjoyable and the comedy/gags aren't blatant. So much is conveyed with a look or an expression. The protagonists express empathy and thoughtfulness throughout the series. Though the show is primarily about two friends and their hobby, I've enjoyed all the supporting characters so much that I wish Mackenzie Crook would do another series with the adventures of the DMDC finding their "gold"
Detectorists (2014)
Don't judge it on the first episode.
This is a wonderful comedy that creeps up on you. The first episode frames in the characters and their situations and, for me, I wasn't sure if this was mislabeled as a comedy. Lance seemed like a pathetic character, Andy seemed aimless and Becky was just unlikable. By the third episode, I was hooked.
The actors are excellent in their roles. Mackenzie Crook as Andy, Toby Jones as Lance and Rachael Stirling as Becky. When I first saw Rachael, I thought she resembled Diana Rigg, and to my surprise and joy, Ms Rigg appears later as her mother. The writing and wit are sharp and come unexpectedly. As you enjoy the quips you begin to feel for them, their trials, their integrity and their friendship. What seems like meaningless conversations are what friendships are based on. After so many disappointments these characters go through, you feel the joy of a win, even a small one and then you realize, you like these guys and you're rooting for them. The treasure isn't gold, it's the relationships they enjoy. I'm giving it a 9/10 because the first episode may have put some viewers off. If you're one of those viewers, go back and watch a few more episodes.
Alien Predator (1986)
I've seen worse.
I was able to sit through the entire film, something I couldn't do for other B films. There were so many bad aspects of this film, like the overacting and the plot. The pros were some location shots of Spain, mid 1980's fashion and a great gas explosion so good they used it twice. As this was my first and last viewing of "Alien Predator" or "The Falling", I can say, I was hoping for a twisted ending. Like, the alien only hunts and kills bad actors paving the way for a new generation of super actors in B films- No Spoilers. Dennis Christopher as Damon was hyper irritating. Lynn-Holly Johnson's Samantha is beautiful, but reminded me of an anime come to life and Martin Hewitt's character, Michael, could have read his part from a script throughout this film, without affecting the viewing at all. Seriously, Hewitt could have had a script in each scene, reading his lines and if anything, it would have improved the movie. This film should be shown at all acting, directing and editing schools so that maybe, we'll get better B movies in the future.
Gatlopp (2022)
It's not funny, scary or interesting.
The description states that they quickly discover that the game isn't a game...30 minutes into a 2 hour movie. The characters seem like self absorbed wailers. I couldn't warm up to any of the characters. They were all unhappy in their lives, work and relationships. Their friendship seems based on playing pranks on each other when they're passed out from drinking to excess, instead of trying to help each other they just moan and have more beer. So, this movie could be about drug dependent people playing a drinking game and maybe hallucinating hell in place of having DT's? The actors did well with the material but, for me, it was slow and dull.
Kateo (2022)
Like watching a movie inside a cement mixer
I didn't see a disclaimer for seizure causing strobing. So, if you're susceptible to seizures, you may want to skip it. It's a 2 dimensional film. No character building. It should appeal to gamers as that's what this movie feels like, a video game. The plot is okay, but the non stop flashing and camera jerk and jiggle with the first, second, third person angles had me feeling seasick with a splitting headache. I had to stop watching after 40 minutes. The body count is high as the "bad" guys are dispatched like in a video game.
If a camera were strapped to the bow of a ship on choppy seas, you'd have a similar effect. The action pauses for information updates or supplies, just like a video game, then jumps back into the frenetic action.
Moontrap: Target Earth (2017)
Stinks like rot on a hot summer day
I'm giving it 2, b/c I'm sure there may be or will be worse films made. The writing is so bad. The dialogues are dull and repetitive (example; It's 14,000 years old! 14,000 years you say? Yes. 14,000 years old! Hmmmm, 14,000 years....). The original Moontrap, was entertaining, I enjoyed seeing Walter Koenig in a lead role, but this sequel would've been better with cardboard cutout puppetry.
Warren (2019)
Cringeworthy funny
Warren reminds me of that grouchy neighbor, but with a comedic twist. Martin Clunes and cast poke fun at some of the worst behavior we see in people. It's like, Married with Children, British style, except Warren is relatable, just exaggerated. We all want a nice backyard, a great store discount, a farm in the country. Warren just goes to extremes that cross social norms. He's a con, who wants to take care of his family resulting in unexpected twists and turns. The first 3 episodes feel like it's filmed on location, the 4th feels like a set. Maybe it's the camera work?
This comedy might not appeal to everyone, but I'm giving 9/10.
Vera: The Sea Glass (2016)
Good mystery, not great.
The pros...great outdoor cinematography, you can almost smell the brine and fish. Story was good, acting, very good. This is a series that is easy to watch. No car or foot chases, no shoot ups or heavy foul language and no excessive gore. The cons...indoor cinematography, dark with profile shadows. Britain only has 25 watt bulbs. Some disconnect with reality. Solicitors quietly sit there while their client just yammers on.
I like Vera, a misanthrope with a troubled background. But, if she were a real person, she'd be in anger management or counseling. Nobody would want to work for her. Her character sees things that her staff write off with a 'probably' and this allows Vera to bark away. I like the character of 'Kenny', he's the Watson to Vera's Sherlock and really deserves more screen time. This is an hour long whodunnit in 1.5 hours. My biggest complaint with this series is, it'll make you want think twice about going on holiday in Britain.