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Reviews
The Devil Next Door (2019)
Very confusing.
The level of bias that the viewer is seemingly supposed to side with based on the emotions of people rather than the evidence portrayed is startling.
I've seen a lot of these kinds of talking heads in documentaries and it gets the same reaction from me every time - the more you try to pluck my heartstrings rather than show me your evidence, the more I'm going to take the side of the opposition.
The OSI seems to employ the same levels of brutishness and outright arrogance as the Anti-Deformation League. "All the evidence points to this!" Okay well show us then.
Devs (2020)
I'm trying to enjoy it...
... but it appears this show is a little too woke for me. The acting from the lead is really bad which is pretty distracting. I have a feeling this was cast to favour a tiny but loud minority of crazy ego-driven virtue signallers. The story's pretty good with is a real shame because it's hard being entertained whilst distracted at the same time.
Utopia (2020)
Oh what it could have been...
Utopia (UK Version) is one of my favourite tv series of all time. The characters were compelling and the story was truly mesmerising. Then you have the booming colours from the beautiful cinematography and the wildly ambitious and twisted soundtrack.
When it was first announced that there will be a US version and that David Fincher will be in charge - I was over the moon. The UK version was cancelled after the second series which was when the story had just taken an incredible twist. The subject of a secret government organisation dead set on reducing the population in order to (from their perspective) save the planet whilst following a rag-tag group of conspiracy theorists and comic book enthusiasts who are doing everything they can to stop them is nail biting and ballsy to say the least. Tons of controversy and dark moments with a great understanding of British self-deprecating humour gives it a very memorable feel.
Fincher was then taken off the task due to the financial constraints of his ambitions plans. This news was was gut-wrenching for myself as I was dying to know where the story was going to go!
Gillian Flynn was then announced to take over and I thought "Gone Girl was pretty good, very well". It appears I may have been wrong...
So what happened? Well, writing unlikeable characters and relying on the like-ability of the actors playing them isn't a good start. Sasha Lane's Jessica Hyde is almost unbearable. It's pretty clear that plenty of the cast and crew had never seen the original.
One of the best qualities of the original is that it's open-ended as to whose side your on. The US version your side is chosen for you and you're forced to route for a group of people you're praying are given less and less screen time The more you learn about them. And what they did to Arby! Jesus wept.
This is a seemingly cheap knockoff that won't surpass the original. The "shocking" moments don't hold a candle to that of its predecessor - which used mostly unknown actors and relied on the grand scale of the story. Worked like a dream.
Unhinged (2020)
Effing Hilarious
Usually a film as stupid as this wouldn't score as high as a five but despite the story being a farcical mess; the script and the level of acting was so entertaining it's hard to tell if this was supposed to be unintentionally funny. The "here's your courtesy double tap!" line had all 6 of us in the cinema laughing our balls off.
If you like the "so bad it's good" genre, you don't want to miss this one!!!!
Don't F**k with Cats: Hunting an Internet Killer (2019)
What about the African dude?
In the first episode the FB club latches on to an African internet Troll who commits suicide. This was shrugged off by the group claiming he was already depressed and was a terrible person anyway. Does anyone think that once this group identified this bloke and sent him messages like "we know who you are" and "we're going to get you" that this ultimately caused him to commit suicide?
I think it's pretty ironic that a self identified group of morally righteous "internet cops" would hold themselves to such high regard and yet refuse to acknowledge their highly possible implication in this man's death.
Yes, what they ultimately did in tracking down a psychopathic murderer, who (as far as I'm aware) hasn't been charged with any animal cruelty, was a good thing. But the lack of responsibility around how they went about contacting their targets was stupid and showed a level of zero self awareness.
It was an entertaining watch in parts but it doesn't get a high grade from me.
Also; does the lead interviewee condone catfishing within the first five minutes of the first episode!?
Limbo (2019)
Interesting Concept.
There's a good idea at play here: a court of law and order between heaven and hell called Limbo where souls of good and bad go to get their judgement. There are plenty of issues with the script and the story, plus the acting is pretty crap but there are funny moments sprinkled between scenes.
The major problem lies with the idea of redemption, which in this universe is an act of good done completely selflessly. If the character knows he's dead and is told an act of selflessness can get him into heaven he has no way of redemption as he knows that a selfless act can send him heaven bound.
Another issue would be the excuses made to make a murderer, who killed in cold blood, come across as sympathetic.
This movie has so much potential and with a little more of a bump in finances, a better cast and a better script, you could have a seriously riveting movie on your hands.
Dave Chappelle: Sticks & Stones (2019)
The Outrage Mob Proves Dave Chappelle Right Once Again
Dave Chappelle's Sticks & Stones is an almost brutal and totally necessary critique of Cancel Culture, and his opposition of politically correct brown shirts do their absolute best to prove his points are not only true but absolutely relevant. His commentary on the Leaving Neverland accusers is spellbound-ly brilliant. Chappelle has a knack of saying the "stuff you're not supposed to say" and making it hilarious, entertaining and comically hard to disagree with. He's certainly not lost his touch! In our current climate of political outrage Sticks & Stones is the perfect comedy special for the more rational folks that are able to let go of their social-political ideologies in order to enjoy an hour long comedy special.
In short, Mr. Chappelle - awesome show, great job!