obrienigm Reviews

Promising Young Woman (2020)

Very clever and important film

[8/10 · 18 April 2021]

This film opens an important dialogue but does so while being clever and entertaining and never dull or preachy. The major achievement is the films humour and tone, it keeps you engaged with some heavy subject matter and is always on point. There is some farfetched plotting and some contrivances that don't quite work, this didn't ruin the film for me, but probably did stop it from being a stone cold classic. Great acting all roind too.

The Way Back (I) (2020)

Good movie with strong performances.

[7/10 · 21 March 2021]

This is a solid movie with an effecting story line. It all works because of Ben Afflecks strong performance, and director O'Connors detailed direction. The basketball games feel authentic and it rarely feels manipulative. Probably more of a guys movie. I really enjoyed it.

The United States vs. Billie Holiday (2021)

Great performance from Adra Day let down by weak script.

[5/10 · 28 February 2021]

This films characters and storytelling are sacraficed for the sake of the film makers polemic. Not that there is anything wrong with that polemic, its a worthy and interesting one, but it should have supported the story, not replaced it. Characters constantly come and go with no explanation or depth

It is nicely filmed, costumes and sets are impressive, and Day gives a award winning nuanced and subtle performance, but all this is undermined by the weak and clumsy narrative and the cardboard cutout characters that populate the rest of the film.

Its a shame because a black icon like Billie Holiday deserved a film that celebrated her achievements and courage with a script as strong as Andra Days performance.

Late Night (2019)

Not real, not funny, not worth your time.

[2/10 · 19 February 2021]

None of this film feels real, the writing is contrived and characters lack depth. Its all so very earnest and feels as self regarding and self-satisfied as Emma Thompsons annoying character. Don't waste your time, just rewatch any 3 episodes of 30 Rock instead.

Norm Macdonald: Me Doing Standup (2011 TV Special)

Behold stand up greatness.

[10/10 · 10 February 2020]

This is one of the best standup specials ever made..If you don't think so.. you are simply wrong. Dave Chappelle is the only standup on this level, and this explains their mutual respect. A genius captured in his prime. WONDERFUL.

The Breaker Upperers (2018)

An actually funny comedy.

[7/10 · 1 January 2020]

This movie is a lot of fun. It get the tone just right, and has lots of lovely performances. It manages to be silly and clever all at the same time. Highly recommended.

Fast Color (2018)

Could have been a little faster.

[5/10 · 1 January 2020]

This would have been a great 50 minute episode of The Twilight Zone, but as many of the reviews here say, it drags in middle. Good acting, nice FX, but not enough of a story to carry the running time.

Judy (II) (2019)

Great Acting, Singing? Not so much.

[6/10 · 20 December 2019]

This is an engaging film, it is sympathetic to Garland, while not shying away from her well documented flaws. My main problem was allowing Zellweger to sing the songs. She is no Judy Garland. Nobody is. So you miss the whole point of what made Judy so loved. That incrediblly heartbreaking pure voice. If they had dubbed it, and Zelleweger had spent the same effort learning to mime as she did to learn the songs the concert footage wood have blown the bloody doors off. Instead you sit there thinking 'i rather hear Judy's version'. Look at bohemian rhapsody. Rami Malek is fantastic, but crucially you also get to hear Freddie Mercurys great vocals. Anyway still a good film well worth watching.

Fleabag (2016–2019)

Really good but....

[7/10 · 17 January 2019]

This is a really good, even great at times show. It feels fresh and different, and Waller-Bridge heads a strong cast, but the whole series was ruined for me by the scene where fleabag terrorises her neurotic boyfriend in the shower with a kitchen knife. This scene was unbelievably misjudged. Could a male character do that to a female character in a sitcom and it be laughed off. I know the Fleabag character was supposed to be messed up and flawed, but that crossed a line for me and derailed my ability to fully engage and empathise with her character and the show from that point on.

Norm Macdonald Live (2013–2017)

Hours of fun

[10/10 · 21 August 2017]

Norm Macdonald Live is a fantastic show.The Jack Carter episode in particular was superb (you could create a whole series around these old time comics telling their stories before its too late)The humour wont be to everyone's taste, as it is rather near the knuckle, but if you are not easily offended please check it out.Some episodes had me crying with laughter. It creates it's own unique vibe, and at it best, it's as good as it gets for these type of podcast shows. For me the Gilbert Godfreid and David Spade shows stood out, but if you like Norm you will love all of this.