Jorgosch Reviews

Attack on Titan (2013–2023)

Arguably one of the best TV shows ever

[10/10 · 4 February 2024]

Much has been said about this show already and it's merit as an anime show. However, while anime is usually constructed as periodic pure entertainment this show trancends not only that format in terms of writing but most regular tv shows as well. The way the whole mystery is constructed impeccably from start to finish, always answering one question while raising two new ones is testament to true genius. Many have attempted it ("Lost", few have really achieved it, leaving the viewer dissatisfied.

But the greatest achievement of his series is probably to draw a horror and fantasy crowd in and subvert all expections with a theme about the human tragedy of war and the neverending circle of violence. Yes, at its heart "Attack on Titan" (which should really be called "The Attack Titan" since that other translation makes little sense) is about human nature and suffering and how there's really no escape in this life. The only way is forward, to go with the flow and make the best of every situation. Right and wrong are merely a matter of perspective and several shifts of perspective are masterfully executed throughout the series.

If you think youself you cannot be manipulated in your beliefs, here you will be thoroughly educated. Let's just hope that the greatest manipulators will use their skills for storytelling and not worse.

Ted Lasso: Beard After Hours (2021) Season 2, Episode 9

Pure joy

[10/10 · 28 June 2023]

This was one of the best TV episodes I have ever seen in my entire life, hands down. Just a fireworks of brilliant ideas following a masterplan. Pure chaos resolves into Catharsis, a seemingly unrelated series of sometimes trying events culminating into a consolitary outcome which connects them all. A metaphor for the endless strife of life and a mirror of the series warm and optimistic outlook on it as a whole. This episode was a pure joy to behold and the highlight of this overall awesome series so far. The low ratings probably reflect just how intelligent the script was. Props also go to the awesome cast, everyone of which is doing a superb job taking the viewer on a rollercoast of emotions.

Dota: Dragon's Blood (2021–2022)

Not your run-of-the-mill anime

[8/10 · 3 April 2022]

This series has been a true revelation and season 2 has even managed to improve upon season 1. While the animation is not always top notch like say Castlevania, the script is among the best I've witnessed. It avoids traditional fantasy tropes and is full of twists and turns, all the while having real emotional impact. The dialogue never breaks its high concept language and the intersparsed use of poetry makes it into something really powerful and a joy to behold.

The Expanse: Hard Vacuum (2021) Season 5, Episode 8

Incredibly tense episode

[9/10 · 28 January 2021]

I cannot believe the low ratings for S05E08! This must be all the action junkies who are not interested in relationships. This season is as personal as it gets. Well, the stakes cannot be the galaxy all the time but on an emotional level this season is very strong. Granted, the source material is a bit thinner than last season and people probably wanted more emphasis an the exploration aspect of the series. However, meeting viewer expections is not what ratings should be based on. IMHO, Dominique Tipper deserves an Ocscar nomination for her portrayal of suffering and persistance in HARD VACCUUM.

Avengers: Endgame (2019)

Not that grand experience I had hoped for

[6/10 · 28 April 2019]

Avengers: Endgame is not a bad movie at all. It's just not what it's made out to be - supposedly one of the greatest movies of all time. Sure, you have seasoned actors who deliver the necessary emotions which are put into scene well enough and several strings from other movies and tv series are tied together. But that alone doesn't make a movie great per se, that's just good planning.

The story itself is your basic time travel retcon and there aren't any clever twists that were hidden in Infinity War. 2 out of 3 hours of the movie is characters talking as a fan service, one hour is plot advancement. You get your deus ex machina (Captain Marvel) who tips the balance this time while she was conveniently absent in the last movie. You get Iron Man, who doesn't even have superhuman abilities, performing a feat that should have killed him right away according to the lore.

The movie is satisfying yes, but that doesn't make it great. Nothing of what happens is particularly awe inspiring, surprising or new. With all the talking, it rather feels like a double episode that finishes off a tv show.

And to be honest, placing this among the greatest movies of all time feels like an insult to the great ones which excel in all possible departments - acting, story, score, cinematogrpahy, blocking etc. But I guess a generation that votes for a president who promises to make America great again can also vote such a movie as one of the greatest. Both aren't.

The Trip to Italy (2014)

An overlong ad

[4/10 · 17 January 2015]

What the hell did I just watch? Basically this was a feature-long non-stop product placement interspersed with some character impressions, quips, quotes by Byron and wife-cheating presented by - one can only hope - invented personalities with the kind of moronic self-indulgence that the great P.G. Wodehouse would have had a good laugh at.

Brydon is full of it and Coogan most of the time looks like he cannot believe what he's hearing, wishing he were someplace else. It's hard to say how much of that is scripted or if they were really just saying whatever popped into their heads. They must have been aware of that so to spice things up they invented some easy-on-the-eyes female love interests that would never work in real life.

If you want a good travel programme presented by a British comic, watch Michael Palin's documentaries instead.

Slaughterhouse-Five (1972)

Tour de Force

[8/10 · 6 December 2014]

Life is but a random sequence of good and bad things happening. That is the premise of the story and that is how this film is structured. The director uses every trick in the book to put you on a roller-coaster of a ride with so many ups and downs in sequence that no eye will remain dry. Depending on what type of viewer you are, the tears will might come from laughing but much more probably from crying. Although the movie is partly tagged as a comedy, the humour in it film is very dark indeed.

One might think that the lesson behind the story is that life takes you along on a preprogrammed ride and you best lean back, take it as it comes and enjoy the good parts, but that is not true. I think what author and director want to convey is that those in tune with others will find that some things are inevitable but just as many good moments are of your own making.

The emotions hit you hard and relentlessly, but the end is conciliatory (at least, if you're male) and even whimsical. Not a movie for every day, but definitely recommended. 8/10

Detectorists (2014–2022)

Heartwarming

[9/10 · 9 November 2014]

Congratulations to Mr. Crook to have created something that I can only describe as love at first sight. The series takes a look at key situations that most adults have been through while putting them in a context that feels fresh. Mr. Crook may be guilty of a bit of viewer manipulation by depicting the main characters as meek and sometimes naive who face bullies and mocking. This is easily forgiven, though, because of the stellar cast that makes each and every persona feel real, believable and truly likable. Apart from that each character down to the smallest role has something unique that sets them apart. There is wisdom to be found here, and peace, if you have the patience. Sometimes life tosses you a gold coin and sometimes a ring pull - just go with it, it will balance out it in the end. A true dramedy gem. 9/10.

G.I. Joe: Retaliation (2013)

Great Popcorn cinema!

[8/10 · 13 July 2013]

I don't really care if there is a franchise behind this or if fan-boys are crying their eyes out for some character development or other but taken as an action movie G.I. Joe: Retaliation hits all the right buttons. The fight scenes are extremely well choreographed and especially the mountain scene is breathtaking - something that's not easily achieved since it's really hard to come up with new stuff these days.

The Rock shows again that he can carry a movie, both physically and through his expressions. Maybe the family stuff that was thrown in could have been left out, but we get some laughs out of that as well. The script certainly doesn't hold back in that regard, the happenings with the world leaders at the summit are nothing short of hilarious (well, at least until that big pile of dust, no offence, GB).

I did like the first one as well which had more goofiness but also more cool gadgets and Sci-Fi elements. Overall, this is a really solid effort, thoroughly enjoyable and something that I can recommend heartily for an evening with friends and some beers.

The Blob (1988)

Well aged horror

[7/10 · 27 April 2012]

I re-watched this movie tonight after 15 years and was surprised how well it holds up. The script moves at a furious pace and is often a step ahead of the viewer, giving him two shocks while he is still anticipating the first one ("The sheriff has gone to the diner"). There's lots of gore, sure, but also a fair amount of tongue-in-cheek which rather servers to throw the viewer off balance instead of granting him relief.

The acting is consistent throughout, and the money for special effects is well spent. The camera does not linger to show sfx shortcomings, rather some ingenious mixes are used to overcome them, like the strobe light in the movie theatre to hide the copy/paste blob. In short, the director does everything right and the movie feels like an A-movie more often than not. The biggest shortcoming IMHO is the soundtrack. With an orchestral soundtrack - I'm thinking Jerry Goldsmith - this would have become a horror classic. As it is, The Blob is great popcorn theatre that will glue you to your seat - pun intended.

The Hunger Games (2012)

Emotional but shallow

[6/10 · 3 April 2012]

Knowing nothing about the movie or the source material, I'd let myself sway by the high rating to watch this movie. Well, I have nothing negative to say about it except maybe that it was too long, but the over-the-top ratings definitely aren't justified (and are coming down as I am writing). It's definitely a movie aimed at younger people because the content is very emotional, but there is nothing noteworthy about the plot, the actors, camera or soundtrack. Everything is done by the book and the result is effective but predictable and ultimately shallow and clichéd.

I want a movie to surprise me, either with its story, or effects or any other cineastic means. None of that happened here, and I even glanced at my watch half-way through... never a good sign.

So... hooray for teen angst, but not much for the more mature viewer in there.

John Carter (2012)

Epic Fantasy Adventure

[8/10 · 10 March 2012]

This fantasy adventure movie has it all - CGI eye candy, boy/girl eye candy, epic epicness, super-powered higher beings near impossible to defeat, gorgeous cinematography, effective 3D and some good family friendly chuckles. I would rank it there with Star Wars Episode 6, and indeed the storyline and involved parties are somewhat similar to what happened there (good/bad/natives). This movie was one expensive mother and you can see every cent of it. Even the 3D is great, without garish in-your-face effects it just adds another dimension to a dream made reality by Disney's wizards. I really wish them all the best because I'd love to see more of the books come to life, but alas, the omens are not good. Then again, Disney movies traditionally have very strong DVD sales so there's some hope. It's an experience you just cannot reproduce in the same way at home, though, so go see it now!

Thor & Loki: Blood Brothers (2011– )

A thing of beauty

[8/10 · 18 July 2011]

I loved the comic mini series by Rodi and Ribic that came out some years ago and I love the visual take Marvel Knights have created based on it. This is not superhero "Hulk smash" material, but a powerful character study of a villain. As in the comic, the visual rendition is lush, even stunning and the language is beautifully medieval.

At approx. 60 min. runtime, a bit more than 50 if you don't count repeating intros and outros, the animation style is reminiscent of a web comic, yet superior as character sketches are subtly animated and mixed with CGI to create the feeling of medieval cut-outs.

Beware, this is not your every day cartoon. Just as "Watchmen" was the first graphic novel, this may very well be the first cartoon theatre play, the topic being as meta as the two-dimensionality of comic characters. The creators of this animation are to be commended, as they have tried to make a cartoon for adults only (no, not THAT kind) and succeeded. It is truly a thing of beauty, a joy for ever.

Tron: Legacy (2010)

Wasted opportunity

[6/10 · 3 March 2011]

It's difficult to judge Tron:Legacy. While some aspects of the film let it rise above average, other aspects equally drag it down into the bog of forgettableness. Sure, you get high production values, nice special effects, more chill Jeff Bridges than you've had since the Big Lebowski and you meet the old gang of sorts.

On the other hand, the script has awkward pacing, trying to pull a Matrix on you with pseudo-philosophic techno-babble monologues and only managing to bore you during large parts. The main character of Sam Flynn is miscast, there is no tangible emotion between him, his movie-father or any other character. The film has no character development, creates no tension and generally feels like a paint-by-numbers. Even the music score is dreary.

But, if you look at it from another angle, the film manages to create an accurate representation of a sterile digital world. And there you have your message: it's an analogy for computer geeks never leaving the spot in front of their monitors, ultimately being trapped and lonely all their lives.

Resident Evil: Afterlife (2010)

Seen the trailer, seen it all

[6/10 · 16 September 2010]

There I was at the theatre and on an impulse decision bought tickets because the film did well at the box office. This is the same kind of impulse that makes you go and buy a hamburger to get quick and short relief, after which you completely forget about it. It's kind of the same with Resident Evil: Afterlife (2D).

You get garish effects (sort of like a "best of" collection from other flics), cardboard characters that are fleshed out so basically that when they turn sideways you can see the stand that supports them, a plot so minimal it doesn't bother to explain why some things occur (where do the petal-mouthed guys come from? who the hell is that hooded giant with the anime weapon?) and the longest drawn-out slo-mo you can get for the money of one ticket.

Sure, Milla is always nice to look at and we silently cheer her on as she goes on yet another killing spree but often times I not only had to suspend disbelief (the topic already demanded that) but to actively shut off the brain to enjoy some of the more impossible shenanigans.

There is no comic relief in this one, and that's probably because there's no real tension either. Yes, it has the few obligatory jumps but mainly because the scenes are cut so short that when a zombie says "boo" he's already snagged somebody and disappeared again before you can say "argh!".

Nope, the movie is too disjointed and characters as much as villains are too weak to care for them or hate them enough. Movie fast-food which goes down smoothly, but is ultimately tasteless. Enjoy your hamburger, but don't complain afterwards when you feel guilty. Again. 6.5/10

Zombieland (2009)

Flashy entertainment without a message

[7/10 · 16 November 2009]

I had some fun watching this movie as it works as a horror comedy, but at the same time lately I feel guilty giving this kind of movie a high rating. There's just nothing new to be added, instead, the same plot elements get further condensed and reduced every time, like a new snapshot of a well-know monument.

The thing is that people apply the same rating for different kinds of movies. I gave this one a 7 for good but mindless entertainment, but it can't be helped that it will rank there on the same level as other movies which get a 7 for being cinematic-ally or plot-wise interesting. That's just the way it goes. Comedies that the broad public enjoys as funny are usually not clever at the same time, or would you rate American Pie as a cinematic masterpiece? At least Zombieland also worked on the character level so you could identify with the main characters (yes, that's you, nerd).

While I have the impression that the bar is constantly being lowered plot-wise these days and plot is being replaced by violence, grossness or any other kind of exaggeration, I also notice that due to the shorter attention span of the twitter generation the run time of movies gradually gets shorter. This one was over just after 80 mins, the rest was credits (and an outtake). And speaking of exaggeration, I also felt that the Bill Murray cameo was exaggerated, the same has been done before, also with Bill Murray as the supposed center of a film cult.

As the philosopher said, every nation gets the president it deserves and the audience gets the movies they deserve... and pay for.

Drag Me to Hell (2009)

Not a revolutionary entry in the horror genre

[6/10 · 29 August 2009]

First of all, I'm surprised that this movie has been rated so high by the community. If you want to break it down, where's the real achievement of this film? Engaging story? There are no real twists that could not be foreseen by a regular movie goer. Instead, it's an amalgam of stories that have been told before, mainly Ringu and Ghost (yeah, with Patrick Swayze).

Special effects? Raimi is almost at the same level that he was with Evil Dead, he's even quoting himself with the séance session. The ghosts in "Ghost" were the same shadowy figures... seen it all decades ago.

Gore factor? Raimi does a big nod to Peter Jackson's Braindead in showing all kinds of yucky body fluids but in Braindead it felt at least humorous whereas in the context of this movie it feels a bit forced.

To sum it up, I was thoroughly entertained, but not surprised or overwhelmed. Didn't like the predictable ending either - 6/10.

Return to House on Haunted Hill (2007 Video)

In your face

[6/10 · 7 October 2007]

The movie starts alright by creating some tension but then descends into a paint by numbers. There is some good to be said: The acting is fair, the special effects adequate and the cinematography competent. However, the movie disregards one of the main rules of horror in my book: Scares in a haunted house are achieved through subtlety. Mr. García seems to have been involved mainly in special effects before and he shows it with too much pride. While the effects are well done, nothing here happens in the shadows, everything has a spot on it. It's like the director wanted to showcase his handwork but in doing so, he degrades it to mere circus tricks (albeit bloody ones). He's even confident enough to leave the door open for another sequel. Final judgment: Nothing outstanding but not too weak either. I was mildly interested to watch until the end - 5,5/10.

Eragon (2006)

Underrated entry in the fantasy genre

[7/10 · 24 February 2007]

I haven't read the book so I can objectively say that what I got was good special effects, an OK albeit pretty rushed story, mixed acting and nice cinematography. I especially liked the Shade's make-up, it helped me forget a bit about the shortcomings of the main character. All in all a solid effort that didn't make me feel like I have wasted my time. I'll have to give it a high rating just to counterbalance those biased low ratings. All those nerds who've rated this movie with 1 have never seen true suckage. If you want to watch a bad fantasy movie, try Dungeons&Dragons 2. And THAT has a higher rating on IMDb than this one. Just who came up with the silly name "E-ragon" for a D-ragon story - are his brothers called A-ragon and B-ragon then?

The Omen (2006)

Absolutely unnecessary

[4/10 · 19 June 2006]

While not a bad movie in itself, The Omen 666 has really no right to exist. Being a remake of the 70's classic, the movie does not add anything new to the myth. In fact, recreating a movie that relied on suspense and shock scene by scene is a really bad idea, just like that "faithful" Psycho remake they did a while ago. The actors walk through this more or less stony faced, with the exception of Mia Farrow whose mouth once twitches on the verge of a smile, and I have seen creepier children in kindergarten.

I feel sorry for a good team to have wasted resources on a project that was doomed to fail before it even started.

Carnivàle (2003–2005)

Only the good die young

[10/10 · 1 August 2005]

And so it happened with this TV show, both critically acclaimed and celebrated by fans, that it was cancelled due to an unfathomable (and probably personal) decision of the financing network. Having been one of the most original and addictive programs to be seen on TV so far, Carnivale was set up to run for at least 3, probably 4 seasons and now viewers are left with a lot of questions and no real answers after the show was prematurely terminated after only 2 seasons. This happened to other great shows as well (Futurama, Serenity, Odyssey 5) , many times just because some executives put personal grudges before reason. Let's hope that Daniel Knauf will find a way to give all us Karnies the rest of his epic story, even if it is in novelized form.

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)

Perfect Adventure

[9/10 · 21 December 2003]

Watching this movie I was absolutely awed by it's impact, the way Star Wars made me feel when I was a teen. And I think this is already one of the movie's biggest achievements: To achieve a level of, well, if not reality, then involvement, to let oneself absolutely fall into it. Stunning special effects, well done writing (absolutely forgivable the deviations from the book for better dramatic effect, like absolute darkness in the spider's lair). In fact, everything is so gorgeous, grand and stunning, that it is even more noticeable when actors don't live up to everything that's going on around them. Even so, there was only one personality that I would have liked to see changed and that is Frodo. Elijah Wood's face for me didn't show enough pain, cruelty or any of the wide range of emotions necessary when not doing the baby smile. Viggo Mortensen certainly looks heroic, although he seemed to move too slow for a ranger in battle and talked too low during the 3 movies be recognized as one with great blood. I would have wished for a more energetic performance to show his finally accepting the role of king, like a more determined walk or whatever.

Let me list some things that I saw as goofs, but then again, everything was happening so fast sometimes, I could be wrong :-) The White Wizard always fights with his staff - hm, he is a mage, isn't he? SOME display of battle magic would certainly have been nice... In one scene, a hobbit on a horse slashes the tendons of the hind legs of an oliphant - excuse me, but I just can't believe he would have the armlength... In one shot on Mount Doom, a slope against the sky, we actually see blue sky although everything was supposed to be dark in Mordor... And finally, the two hobbits crouching on a rock in the midst of running lava, well, the rising heat alone would be enough to burn them to cinders and let's not forget about the sulphur smoke :-)

If not for these tiny imperfections, the movie could have been a 10, now it will have to make do with a 9 :-)

And I feel empty, that now, after 3 years, there is nothing more to look forward to in Middle Earth...

The Matrix Reloaded (2003)

One hell of a ride

[9/10 · 18 May 2003]

This is one hell of a picture!

I understand from having read other comments that many people were somewhat dissatisfied with the movie. Well, on the special effects almost nobody complained and they are certainly among the very best ever seen on the big screen. I especially like the effects you DIDN'T see... Did you notice how the camera worked during the car chase scene? It went right through other cars in order to follow the main action in a straight line - impossible but ingenious.

Now the main complaints obviously were with the story line. Well, people, let me remark that this is not a kid's movie despite it's rating and you need a certain intelligence and background to digest what is thrown at you. And this is what they do, they throw little morsels of information and philosophy at you (or big chunks sometimes, there are at least 2 longer monologues) and leave it up to you to interpret it. Obviously your average american schoolkid with an x-men background will be unable to do so and will feel left out in the open.

But for the somewhat broader minded this movie will be a thrill ride, not only because of the awesome action but also because of the mind fodder it gives you. My head is still spinning from weighing the concept of possible realities and greater schemes behind it all. And phrases like "It's like wiping your ass with silk" sounds like something Oscar Wilde would have said.

Yes, the brothers definitely know their classics and their drama theory. Like George Lucas did with the first 3 Star Wars, the 2nd installment of the 3-part-drama is the Action part, after we had the Mystery part.

It is pure joy to see how they build up the story line. First, lulling us in security, showing joy and confidence like in the infamous dance scene, demonstrating Neo's super-powers only to plunge us into utter despair at the end and question the whole concept of reality all over again.

I fully expected an open end because if you only have to wait 5 months for the next part, what better way to keep us on the edge.

And, by the way... has anyone thought that "The One" might have a double meaning? The religious meaning as in "saviour" is a human interpretation but that is not how a machine would think. One in a binary sense is also the counterpart of Zero... I'll let you make your own sense of that.

The only thing I hope for is that we will get an Extended Director's Cut on DVD that will take more time with dialogues.

See you in 5 months!

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)

Stunning visuals but story leaves to be desired

[8/10 · 21 December 2002]

Quote: The Good: In terms of cinematic and visual scope - astounding. The camera sweeps and the battles were awesome. I really felt like I was there. Gollum was probably the best aspect of the whole movie (his inner struggle was nicely done). Gimli's comic relief was nicely done too.

The Bad: After watching it, I just kinda sat there going, "ehh...". I dunno, the first one has this magical appeal to me (seen it 4 times already) but this one just kinda fell flat. Maybe I set my expectations too high.

For one, the musical score failed IMO. I could only discern one new musical track... everything else was either from the first or too ambient (Enya-like female choirs)

Character development was nil for the new characters. It was too hard to get any feel for them. It just felt like, "here's blahblah, son of blahblah" and that was it. Grima appeared to come out of nowhere. The King's son also had barely any development and there was one other guy that I had NO IDEA who he was the whole movie (he was always around the King, helped put his armor on).

I could tell that the main focus was the Helm's Deep battle. While that was awesome, the rest just felt kinda shallow and long winded. The first half was especially slow and the last was all fighting w/ no story to back it all up. What was with Gandalf riding in the last scene? Where did he find King Rohan's son? How did Rohan's son's army turn that big??? (in the beginning he said only him and his small legion still fought for Rohan). How did they manage to kill off like the remaining 2,000 or so of Sauraman's troops. Why did that Rohan lady fall in love with Aragorn... they only met for like 2 seconds.

All in all it left me awed but a little unsatisfied. 6.8 out of 10