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TheWorldmaker
My greatest pleasure is taking on a challenge and solving a problem, whether a technical one or a business one, if you're looking for partners or have work for my businesses then let me know (no, I don't want to read your script, I write my own and don't want you suing me later when you try to claim that I took your idea, I didn't, I probably came up with something similar myself years ago, sorry).
Reviews
Madame Web (2024)
Acceptable, not as bad as they're telling you.
Let's be clear. This is NOT as bad as many of the reviews have been saying and scoring online. Hence my own score to help redress the balance.
Yes, it is a generic origin story and yes, as with almost all Marvel stories, she/they are orphans or almost, and mostly rich with it too; but this should not take too much away from an alternative approach to the spider-bitten heroes, or in this case heroines.
In this case the principle heroine is the rise of Madam Web in her destined role to protect and nurture her three little weblets, her spider chicks, with whom, with great responsibility, will come great power, and all that. So what more can you ask for while Miles Morales and the Peter Parkers are busy biting off more than they can chew, I mean Gwen Stacey can't be everywhere on behalf of girl spider-power?
Like most of these origin stories there's a lot of potential to go in a more dramatic direction to pull out all the emotions and drama of discovery and mastery, of coming-together and finding their destiny; but like all things there is never enough time, or writing skill, to bring everything out and explore the identities and subtleties of every character, so we have a rush through the story, a shorthand for what could have been.
There are one or two key issues, that generic style of story spoilt by some very poor action camera work, a very unsteady-cam with jump-cuts that left my head spinning at the fast-ambulance chase sequences, but once you get through those issues and the camera settles down it's just a story of a woman discovering her inner power.
So, spider-girl power, times four, confronting one murderer with his own powers and finding their future roles in fighting for justice, and all that. Nothing classic but probably worth your time for a little Spidy-escape.
The Creator (2023)
Formulaic SF Plot
I want to be generous, as I loved Gareth Edwards's more imaginative creations, but this came over as far too formulaic, like a video game going through all the generic motions. And while the threat and fear of Artificial Intelligence is on the rise in some parts of the world it appears there isn't enough human intelligence here to explore the theme in anything other than a shoot'em up plot.
At two points while watching it at the local cinema I felt tired of these plots and almost got up and walked out,
my time was more important than this. But I had to see it through to the end, just in case it got better.
So let's go through a few of the standard highlights.
Firstly, the special effects were awesome, whether it was a floating space station hovering menacingly over everything as a threat to the world, or titanic tanks grinding through the scenery, or the intricate SFX of the androids and 'bots themselves, this is a luscious visual experience.
And then we come to all the problems.
Generic tragic hero pining after lost love and a mysterious child who could change the world. Probably one of those Chosen Ones we're always told about.
Generic conspiracy/betrayal by Those In Power of Our Hero.
Generic super-technology in the hands of Big Government to oppress the world.
Plucky resistance hiding out in the jungles.
Generic gigantic secret lair that's easy to enter and destroy to build up drama.
A hero who discovers "the truth".
Titanically-impossible technology, as a decoration.
The strange ability of the USA to deploy its monster technology and heavily-armed special forces anywhere on Earth in violent rampage and no one seems to bat an eye when cities are blasted to ruins.
So this looks like a video game translation to movies. With no real emotional or intellectual engagement as we plod wearily through another technical masterpiece after another until the generic "Final Battle".
What a waste of time and talent on such work.
Yawn.
The Mother (2023)
Generic Script
A generic action script that has been churned out for decades.
The drama of jeopardy, however unexplained, as a young girl is in peril from kidnap by gangsters who, somehow never explained, managed to discover her true identity.
The drama of an "elite ex-sniper" who appears to have forgotten such simple rules of always shooting from cover and not standing on a balcony in broad daylight where all the gangsters can see you.
Here's a story that could have been so much better and made better use of J. Lo and the character set-up, but decided to stick to the routine generic confrontation path after a frantic search and rescue.
There has been other criticism that J. Lo would never survive in a real personal combat with Real Men, so let's remember that she is playing an ex-sniper not martial art expert with "a long list of special skills", so her focus is on use of weapons not fists. And gangsters are nowhere near as fit or competent as a professionally-trained soldier, let alone a sniper.
All in all I'd say it was another waste of time, money and talent with only a few moments here and there but very few explanations of the journey and the events therein.
Who was that old guy?
How did they manage to trace the girl and the FBI cop?
What? Why? Do I care?
Mafia Mamma (2023)
Stupidly funny
Stupidly hilarious, in a cringe-worthy sense that could, if you have the right mood to sit down and switch your brain off, have you barking out aloud.
Here we have a fish out of water and flapping fast to stay alive as generic, comedic, loud suburban middle class American career-woman/housewife finds she's the granddaughter of a mafia don and has just inherited her own mob, of course she did.
There is no delicacy, no subtlety here, more brash, loud fairy tale mafia as she accidentally butchers her way to "respect" and finds her own self-respect in the process.
I can imagine the entire cast have a glorious, over-the-top time of this, endlessly referring to any Godfather film you care to mention, spitting at the name of their enemies and reaching for the kitchen knives when the next body turn up.
For this, the fact that the cast must have enjoyed every deliriously stupid moment, I award a reasonable dish of stars and hope you find your own moments of fun from this.
It fills a couple of dull hours a little better then most.
The Last Thing He Told Me (2023)
Slow, delicate, delightful
Binged the first episodes without noticing the passage of time, so immersed was I in the performance.
Not so much the story, as we've all seen a few of these in the past - the partner disappears in mysterious circumstances and the lover sets off in pursuit to uncover a deeper truth; but beyond that generic plot we have characters and performances, especially focused on the frowning, fearful stress of Jennifer Garner, to hold our attention and carry us through the slow, careful unraveling of these mysteries.
And here we have another bonus, for authentic characters, not overblown Hollywood stereotypes, act in support of Jennifer's journey. The ordinary people who reach out to help, advise, guide, support, just like the real world.
You won't find car chases and man-on-man fighting to thrill you, at least no so far. Here is a far more delicate thrill of each moment, each step as you are taken forward to...?
The Ark (2023)
Space Idiots - Stupid show, don't waste your time
So here we are once again, lost in space with "the most advanced starship in human creation" crewed by a "carefully-selected crew from amongst the best in humanity".
No, just kidding. We are in Hollywood Space where the most advanced starship is handed over to the most carefully-selected crew of bickering, squabbling junior high school "officers" and bumbling crew in the universe, along with a selection of narcissists, hyperactive over-eager teenage/young adult "geeks" (critical to solve all problems caused by everyone else), and a list of generic stereotyped spoilt, egotistical, arrogant idiots in space, plus a few "mystery" crooks who have smuggled their way into the crew to spice things up (where would we be without them in these stupid shows).
Gosh, I bet the Producer and Writer(s) thought that was clever, and would add "conflict & drama" (standard writing formulas they teach in writing school nowadays).
Screaming yet? (In space no one can hear...)
You've seen it all before, the best of the recent batch of these Space Idiot shows being the wonderfully satirical Avenue 5, but this, The Ark, has come from another universe, at the witless bottom of the barrel.
Of course there's the Big Accident, to conveniently wipe out the brains of the ship, the senior crew and anyone else likely to be able to hold your attention or solve a problem with ease.
Then throw in a few hints at "Secret Conspiracy" surrounding the "True Identity" of one character to tease you along. (Not really.)
As for the science and technology here, this is utter drivel of the kind reserved for these brain-blank shows where "science" is just decorative ribbon wrapped around trash. If you're picky with the science you'll love tearing this to pieces, or go insane at the nonsense of the designs that don't make sense.
I could only "enjoy" this as research in how to avoid such mistakes and trash or fill an empty hour or two in my valuable time, not. Two episodes and my mind is already screaming in despair at such a wasted opportunity and money. No more.
This is clearly a budget production, with nothing wasted, or spent, on writing, effects, design, or any kind of imaginative core story arc that differs from these generic Sci-Fi shows churned out on the office photocopiers of TV industry writers' rooms year after year after year.
That's it, done and gone.
Intergalactic (2021)
Blake's Seven for Girls, Bad Girls.
This NOT as bad as the early ratings make out (3.6/10!!??) but deserves binging to really get into it.
It's a British Science Fiction TV show from Sky so don't get your hopes up that this will have the glossy SFX of some American productions like Start Trek Discovery.
And that also means you're going to get a bit more meat on your story than a mainstream US show.
What I found most interesting as the story developed was how much it kept reminding me of the classic Blake's Seven. We have a bunch of criminals and political prisoners to be sent to a prison world, who then escape and challenge a dictatorial Earth for their liberty and the future of mankind. Except this one doesn't have the wobbly sets of the original classic.
Performances are okay, typical of this kind of show, nothing too dramatic, but enough for SciFi family-friendly viewing, with adult language to add an edge of women fighting against a society that has abandoned or abused them.
There is nothing indistinguishable in the story to make it stand out but it will reward your time with a pleasant adventure, especially if you're a big Blake's Seven fan and miss it.
Transcendence (2014)
Excellent grown-up Science Fiction
If you're tired of spandex superheroes with capes or shields or tin suits, and you no longer Hunger for Divergent Games.
If you want something to inspire your soul.
If you want something to stimulate your mind.
Welcome to Transcendence.
As many other reviewers have already stated this is not a star-spandexed mega-movie, this is serious SF. It explores the themes of scientific endeavour, of love, of passion and power.
A couple dedicated to the advancement of humanity and solving the world's problems are fought from both sides as hardened and murderous fanatics from the radical anti-science underground kill anyone in the way of their insane dreams, while the corporate greed of big government and the military-industrial complex is evaded until it too turns its murderous hand against them.
Don't expect the simplistic shades of grey from some teenage angst-ridden post-apocalyptic world. Although an apocalypse does loom darkly here too it is tinged with the light of love, passion and hope for the future.
There is even the faintest hint of potential for a sequel here if handled carefully with a mature hand.
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As for the oft-hated performance of Johnny Depp. Ignore the critics. He's called on to play a subtly ambiguous restrained role through most of this film, not a star role but part of a richly talented ensemble and does so well.
Everyone should be congratulated for producing this, from the executives who choose to buck the spandex fashion, through to the performers and all of you who took the chance to go see it and discovered this surprising joy.
If you want something good in the world, this is it.
TELL EVERYONE before it's too late to enjoy it on the big screen.