Change Your Image
ianjustfloors
Reviews
House of the Dragon (2022)
Picks up where GOT
Where GOT finished on a rushed anticlimax, HOTD has continued in the same downward spiral .
There are no complex characters, no humour, no interwoven plot lines ,no sense of an end game, none of elements that made GOT such a compelling are present in HOTD.
Matt Smith really tries to impose himself as the bad guy and stands out in every scene he's in, Paddy Consedine is also excellent, Rhys Ifans isn't given nearly enough screen time
The females characters in GOT were strong & multi layered , but here they are bereft of any real substance, and that's no fault of the actress's, it's just poor writing.
Overall it is basically an extremely expensive ,badly lit soap opera.
I wanted to love it ,but I just can't I'm afraid.
GOT was steeped in legends and the prequel really should of explored where those legends came from, the white walkers,the wall, the tree with the face,where did the dragons come from and was there really magic in those days.
That would of been an outstanding series.
Oh well.
Lost Girl (2010)
A tacky imitation of far superior shows
What have I missed that every one else seems to have got out this series?
The opening monologue is cringe worthy, take note that "Grimm" originally had a similar opening sequence and wisely dumped it after a few episodes.
But moving along...
It's Grimm meets Buffy meets Hallmark Channel True Blood, but without the decent & well paced storylines & acting.
Firstly the lead character is a succubus, which is original I guess, but apart from making people all weak at the knees , she isn't particularly good at anything else really, as episode after episode she gets bailed out of tough situations by her cop or light fae friends (at least as far as the first season is concerned)
Her sidekick is, as expected, a sassy streetwise grifter with a problematic past. But would you believe? She is also a master of disguise/character & computer whizz kid. What's the odds hey 🤷♂️, but having said that the two female leads are pretty likeable thankfully.
Let's do Dyson. Apparently he's a centuries old Irish werewolf & his original name is Dyson, who thought that was the perfect character name ? But apart from that it's really hard to take him seriously when A) his acting isn't particularly good,and B) he looks like Chris Martin 😳.
The scriptwriters rushed the Bo/Dyson love affair, then ended it too soon on a ludicrous premise that they (scriptwriters) keep forgetting every couple of episodes.
But here are a few other things the scriptwriters keep forgetting.
A plot.
Evolving & continual threads & storylines ( like the search for the mother)
Ending the occasional episode on a cliffhanger
Ending a season on a cliffhanger
Writing supporting characters with substance who actually add to the story & action.
However, for me, the star is the bar owner/ blood king . He's brilliantly portrayed & the actor really elevates a usually mediocre script when he's in a scene.
Sadly I'm not sold on Lost Girl at all ,and frankly it could of been so much better.
20/9/22.
My previous rating of 6 has been upgraded to a 7 mainly because, halfway through season three the following has happened.
A) there are suddenly longer plot threads
B) The supporting characters have started to add to the overall story telling & they have been given more substance
C) in places, it's become pleasantly dark, but it's also developed a lovely comedic element as well
It's still a long way off the quality of Grimm though.
She-Hulk: Attorney at Law (2022)
Not as bad as people are saying
Not as bad as people are saying, but not as good as it should be.
It's trying too hard to be 21st century woman's power piece, with a slice of 70's 4th wall wit thrown in. It fails on both unfortunately.
The writers need to be dismissed immediately because not even Tim Roth can make the cartoonesque scripts he's served up ,anywhere near the the usual top notch Marvel fare we're used to.
I like the actress playing a likeable version of a reluctant super hero,I like the fact that the law firms top dog (a man) uses SheHulk as a commodity & hopefully that story line of her kicking against the misogyny is explored.
I like seeing some of the Hulks family members,albeit uncle's & cousins etc, it's lovely to see behind a superhero's public Image.
But as I said the actors are being let down by poor writing,awful CGI, making sheHulk a quip making parody does the character no favours & thus far there no actual build up of a story line,no action & no drama.
This can only get better , it's deserves to be better.
Pistol (2022)
Cartoon characters & utterly subjective
I get this is based on "lonely Boy" by Steve Jones, but if this is to be believed, then Jones learnt guitar in 4 days, thought up every single step of the pistols career (with MaClaren) ,and apart from John's words, everyone else is merely there to keep Jonesy on his toes so he can be the real boss.
Lydon is made out as a petty twisted bitter moaner
Matlock as a simpleton
Cook , well he's beige really
Sid seems to be well represented, he comes across as he does in Lydons books
And Malcolm is portrayed as a this utterly brilliant Svengali,which he wasn't
Don't get me wrong, there's a lot to love such as the acting from the young cast which is outstanding, the soundtrack is exceptional, and I loved the inclusion of Pauline & the Chrissie Hynde storylines.
But overall it's completely one sided , visually it's excellent, but it seems unfinished.
I know John feels he should of been involved (Boyle claims he asked him) but there's 2 Lydon autobiographies that the writers could of used for additional perspective.
Could of been should of been but wasn't.
Chucky (2021)
Shakespeare it ain't , but fun it certainly is 😂
After much trepidation I can definitely say it's bloody awesome, and Chucky is the best small dude on screen since Tyrian in GOT's and, well the original film series 🙄
Brad Dourif stills does Chucky's voice & he's deliciously funny as he swears like trooper & slays anyone who pisses him off.
Great fun 😂
The Wheel of Time (2021)
I know it's fantasy, but ...,
It could of been so so so much better, instead it's just so so.
Where to start ?
Firstly the central young protagonists both look like they've just stepped off the set of Beverly Hills 90210. In a village with neither running water, proper sanitation or a hairstylist, they look fabulous, even after being attacked by trollics.
Given the lack of ablutions, I'm still baffled how a lowly town tavern could offer a room with not only a large jacuzzi size bath , but manages to fill it up hot water?
It has the look of a Disney film, but not as gritty. In fact the village in episode one ,is less kings landings rough area and more knots landing.
The acting is lame, the characters generic & it's all too slick.
Sorry but it's just not very good.
The Beatles: Get Back (2021)
Why is it sooooo long
I'd really waited a long time for this , and yes it's really great to the Beatles creating a lot of the songs that would end up on Abbey Road (the last album they actually recorded) but why is it so long?
A two parter of 120 mins each would of been fine.
My takeaway is this.
Lennon just wanted to be in a band ,so much so that he often looks to McCartney for approval.
McCartney can't help showing off how great he is
Ringo is Ringo , and happy to go along for the ride.
Yoko should not of been let near a microphone under any circumstances ,her stuff with a solo Lennon later was pretty good, but here she's excruciating 😣
But it's George who deserves the plaudits for his passive aggressive masterclass in response to McCartneys dictatorial approach in the sound stage sessions
He's treated terribly by his band mates who dismiss his walk out with Lennons "see you in the clubs" remark.
They were definitely not happy being Beatles, but it was George who had the balls to say something.
There are many scenes where the chemistry is undeniable,and that's a joy to see but again, there are too many scenes of some or all them messing around or singing stupidity, it feels like like filler.
But thanks for music 🎶
Never Mind the Buzzcocks: Episode #29.2 (2021)
Second verse ,worse than the first.
Daisy is the absolute worst choice of team captain, utterly fake and unnecessarily over the top.
The whole thing seems forced & sanitised and even though I can understand why anyone under 25 thinks it's great, but those of us who saw the original can see that it's been produced by a woke committee funded by lottery money
And seriously who the actual f&£* is Youngblood & why does he want to be a glam Liam Gallagher?
I just can't describe how truly bad this reboot is, Greg is trying but he is the wrong host, jamali appears to be there to make up the numbers because he doesn't do much of anything.
Noel is doing his best but deserves better.
Never Mind the Buzzcocks: Episode #29.1 (2021)
A Terrible Cover Version
Maybe I'm a little bias as I ,and many of my generation , thought that the original series was one of the most consistently brilliant & funny as f&@k programs ever made. Or maybe it's because millennial pop stars are as bland & generic as the music "they" produce.
Greg Davies is a decent host ,but he's more embarrassing dad than acerbic & slik Mark Lamar.
It's great to see Noel Fielding back from baking purgatory, but why does he need a permanent side man in Jamali Maddix?
Daisy May Cooper wtf ! Surely there was someone else available who actually looked like they'd once listened to radio x rather than radio 4?
Either kill the series now or change Davies , Cooper & Maddix, mix real musicians in with the manufactured ones or this series will ruin the the real NMTB's legacy.
Very very very disappointed.
The Bang Bang Club (2010)
Very difficult to watch in parts
I lived in SA at the time this film was set & I've read the book which is epic.
I knew Ken Oosterbroek's nephew and he enjoyed the films portrayal of the four main characters. There is much more get your head around in the book that a film couldn't convey, but the township scenes are incredibly realistic and harrowing.
Please remember that SA was a government controlled oppressive society where the white population were supplied endless propaganda and while there were plenty of willing participants in the apartheid regime, there were many who questioned the propaganda and fought back.
The tribalism was stoked for years by an apartheid government, using historical conflicts & corruption especially on the Zulu side.
For someone who's got no background on this period of history in SA , don't judge until you've read up on how apartheid came into being, and how a small minority imposed it's will on the majority through propaganda & censorship.
In fact, read the "Bang Bang Club" by Greg Marinovich & Joao Silva , it's excellent.
The Hangover (2009)
Stupidly Brilliant
In tough times ,it's really marvellous to know that someone had the foresight to make "The Hangover"
The Leftovers (2014)
Season 2 , same as season one only worse
Seriously I have to wonder about some these shining reviews because it's as if I've been watching a totally different series.
The acting & production value are 1st rate but there is no plot,no answers , no explanations & who was the guy on the top of the platform ? How many times does one character need to die, plus what exactly was the point of periodically pointing out that some people pretended that their loved ones disappeared or "did they"
Seriously this is pretentious nonsense.
The Leftovers (2014)
Season 2 , same as season one only worse
Seriously I have to wonder about some these shining reviews because it's as if I've been watching a totally different series.
The acting & production value are 1st rate but there is no plot,no answers , no explanations & who was the guy on the top of the platform ? How many times does one character need to die, plus what exactly was the point of periodically pointing out that some people pretended that their loved ones disappeared or "did they"
Seriously this is pretentious nonsense.
The Leftovers: The Prodigal Son Returns (2014)
Head scratching overwrought nonsense
Utterly baffling, the season finale tied nothing up, nobody was saved,nobody was redeemed & everybody lost.
Maybe I'm thick and have missed the point of this show, but if this show was a musical piece, then it would be metal machine music by Lou Reed, utter garbage but let's pretend it's art and praise it.
Questions I have.
Why does the sheriff blackout or does he?
How does he keep his job when he's so angry all the time that he commits acts of violence for no reason.
What was the point of subplot involving the sheriffs step son
What was the point of the holy guy who was part messiah & part gang leader
The dogs ? Wtf was that about
I could go on but I'm sorry this was bang average with absolutely no message or meaning to it.
Left Behind (2014)
Apparently not even God could save this stinker
Did Mr Cage lose a bet ? Seriously what was he thinking when he accepted a role in this turkey ?
Nic has been known to veer from tremendous to terrible when it comes to his choice of roles but he scraped the barrel with this beauty.
Don't get me wrong he's actually not that bad in it and nor is Chad ,but seriously,WTAF happened to everyone else.
The movie starts off with the feeling of a 70's California porn film , complete with cheesy music & soon the first wave of appalling acting arrives,courtesy of a plot premiss set up scene in an airport, featuring a Christian zealot who's lecturing chads character about repenting. This is where Nic's daughter arrives to deliver the zealot a good dose of whataboutism that's so badly acted it comes across more Stephen Hawkins than Richard Dawkins.
But it does serve to set up the love interest angle , the so done with religion because of my mother who's suddenly born again ,angle and the meet dad angle.
Dad just happens to be the pilot of the plane that Chad is flying on & who is ,by now, madly in love with Nic's daughter. This all plays out in the airport and all I can say is that it has the feel of a daytime soap to it , only not as well done.
I'm not going to say anymore other than the directors instructions to his cast must of been as follows.
"Guy's I need you over act as badly as you can , I'll also throw in some weird "character" development scenes in to assist you in finding your acting rock bottom, and don't worry about the plot, the script or in fact anything because hopefully I'll go back to my janitor job after this "
Watch it only because it so so so terrible.
Would I Lie to You?: Episode #4.3 (2010)
Watch it if only for the horse story
Apart from Bob Mortimer who's a genius on this show , Kevin Bridges comes a very close second.
The horse story is one of the funniest things I've ever heard.
Derek (2012)
I was dubious but then I watched, Wow
This was the only Gervais Show I was unsure about but 10 minutes in I was hooked , the end of season one I'd laughed & cried and everything inbetween.
Ricky Gervais is the rarest of writers in that he finds humour in everything but more importantly the humanity in use all.
Everyone turns in stellar performances but Karl Pilkington ,along with Gervais , is outstanding.
Everybody must watch this and that's an order 😂
Hellboy (2019)
What was wrong with the original?
It's just dreadful from start to finish , I really can't stress just how bad this is.
I think I'm going to end this review at this point , because it's starting to depress me now 😔
Upright (2019)
Just wonderful & sad & funny & melancholy & amazing
I don't even like Tim Minchin that much but next to "afterlife" this is the best thing I've seen in years.
The two main characters are so real & raw that sometimes it's hurts to watch them in pain but you laugh with them & at the situations they end up in , but you never laugh at them.
Tim Minchin has written a classic and I hope that there isn't a series 2 because it's perfect as it is.
Jubilee (1978)
👎
I first watched this on a dodgy vhs tape in 1979 as a 12 year old.
Trying to be both rebellious & Adrian Mole at the same time, I subsequently raved to my friends that this was punk ( which was already over ) and simply an awesome film that I got from the opening scene to closing titles.
My one warning to friends was that Toyah's character was really really really annoying.
Fast forward 42 years and I decided to watch it again & to my utter horror I realised that it was in fact a steaming pile of pompous art school crap, and not the towering masterpiece of youth culture art house film making I had told all my equally impressionable mates about 😳
What was I thinking when I was 12 ?
Thankfully since then my taste has improved greatly & I can now fully appreciate art house & independent cinema as well as marvel movies.
But I got one thing right back then , Toyah's character is still really really really annoying.
Black Panther (2018)
Tried hard to like it but I just couldn't
This could of been the greatest marvel movie of them all , and it parts it is . It tackles the historical fight for black freedom & equality amongst all men. The Xhosa is fantastic, John Kani was a welcome sight too.
But poor Chadwick is forced to play the earnest young king while all around appear to believe that they are in an American sit com pretending to be a James Bond film.
Andy serkis & Chadwick Boseman are excellent as is Martin Freeman but that's about it.
Apparently Tony stark isn't the smartest person alive either , seemingly it's a wakandian teen reject from an alternative universe Cosby show
Oh dear , it could of been brilliant but wasn't.
Iron Man Three (2013)
Iron Angst
Iron man has a crisis and anxiety attacks but still finds time to save the world almost single handedly .
Really not that great but not that bad, Ben Kingsley steals the show as the villain or the piece , or is he 🤔
The Nevers: Pilot (2021)
It's ok but a bit all over the place
Looks great but tries to fit way too much in and it all ends a little bit jumbled and confusing.
Let's try episode 2 and decide from there.
Bugsy Malone (1976)
Brilliant parody of the Cagney gangster films by kids
Great film great songs great child acting great directing great pie guns great finale . It's just 100% great
Let my ,now grown up kids ,watch it when they were kids and they let their kids watch it too.
It's just brilliant from start to finish and at 10 I fell in love with Jodie foster , that's worth an extra star surely 😀
Wellington Paranormal (2018)
Stupidly Funny 😆
I'm not a Kiwi so the accent took some time to get use too but nevertheless really funny and watch out for the newspaper headlines at the beginning of every episode, they change each episode & are brilliant 😂