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Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
Visually Spectacular, otherwise disappointing
I really liked Max Mad: The Road Warrior. So I was looking forward to watching Fury Road, especially with all the critical praise it has received. After watching it I am left extremely disappointed and can conclude that IMDb rating system has some serious faults.
Visually, this film looked spectacular. But underneath its beautiful surface there lies no depth whatsoever. I found it extremely boring and was looking at my watch regularly. The plot was so simple that a complete idiot could have written it. It still had plenty of plot holes so perhaps a complete idiot did write it! Afterwards I read about how this film was in "development hell" for years (maybe it never left). Let's be serious, if it took you years to write that script, then you should feel deeply ashamed. Then again, neither Hollywood nor the paying public will penalise you for not having any original thoughts or creative ideas, especially when it comes to big budget action sequels.
Most of the illogical events concern Nicholas Hoult's character. He's a "warboy" who's totally devoted to sacrificing himself for the bad guy's cause
until he fails, has a cry, then a conversation with one of the wives, and then decides to join their cause instead. When he's stowed away at the back of their tanker, the wife sees him, and instead of throwing him off their tanker (again), she falls in love with him after a brief conversation, despite the fact he had previously been trying to kill her and her friends. Maybe she has amnesia and has a thing for pasty bald guys with silver teeth? Or maybe I'm thinking about this film too much. "Too much" being "thinking about it at all". Because if you're happy to turn your brain off and zone out for 2 hours, then it would be more enjoyable.
The primary reason for everything shown in the film is because it looks good. Many other reviewers have pointed out that in a world with scarce resources, it's impractical to transport a flame throwing guitarist and his huge amplifiers around on a truck. Like most things in this film, it's never explained why in the wastelands it's important to have a mobile stadium-level rock concert
but it looks good though. It's never explained why Charlize Theron paints the top half of her head? The next time I drive to work I'll smear some grease across my forehead. I might get in a bit sooner, there maybe something in it. And it's never explained how she lost her arm, or what purpose it brought to the movie. Disabled lead character? Tick another box in the diversity checklist!
So if you have an insatiable demand for watching cars flipping over and exploding, then this is the film for you. And if you don't mind a completely uncharismatic lead who mainly grunts, nor a bunch of things happening that make no sense, then you'll have no problems here!
The Walking Dead: Remember (2015)
I've got to admit it's getting better
I've wrote scathing reviews in the past after poor episodes, so it's only fair that I write a positive review after a strong episode.
After 3 episodes in a row that I found either appalling or downright boring: Beth's stupid suicide mission, Tyrese's drawn-out death & the boring barn episode...I had threatened to quit watching TWD forever. But like a total sucker I've given TWD yet another chance. And I'll admit it; the last 2 episodes have been very good!
I don't understand why there's episodes that are just total filler, where nothing happens. And then there are episodes like the last 2 where you feel there's so much that has happened, and there's plenty of potential scenes that could have been filmed. Like in the previous episode I would have liked to see when Aaron's 'very good friend' first met the group, or in this episode when other characters were being interviewed on camera by Deanna.
My attention was held for the full allotted time during "Remember". I was sure that there would prove something wrong with Alexandria, or that the community's leader would have a character defect in line with previous TWD leaders, such as keeping heads in jars, or a penchant for eating human skin. As Rick said, everyone wants to get something out of other people. Now did Deanna accept them into Alexandria as the community needs more people to survive? Or does she need them for their survival expertise or 'muscle'
perhaps there's a more sinister motive?
The only thing I didn't like was when Rick went to see if his hidden gun was still there by that house, and Carl somehow showed up there at the same time. If I was Rick I would have said something along the lines of: "Where the hell did you come from?!" or even "Can you believe someone's took my gun?" or more likely: "Creeping up on people is a good way to get yourself shot in the face". Instead we have a clichéd macho line of dialog followed by some straight-to-DVD action movie BS. Oh and the now obligatory stealth level50 ninja zombie that creeps up out of nowhere.
I can see from a mile off that there's going to be a love story with Rick and the hairdresser, and with Carl and the grumpy girl. Hopefully TWD will do a better job of this than they have with Abraham and Rosita. Seriously, it took about 5 episodes before you even knew they were together, and it's so bad now that it's a shock when they actually speak to each other.
But that's all that I can whinge about. Other than that the episode was full of intrigue and tension, I've got high expectations for this turn of events. I did enjoy the final scene, when Rick said that they would take over this new place if it didn't prove to be safe. In the TWD world, it would be totally unrealistic for the main character to be a whiter-than-white hero, after suffering so many horrendous experiences.
Other questions that I demand answers to: What's Enid's problem? Why would she rather go for dangerous walks than play video games?!.. but I suppose I wouldn't want to spend any time whatsoever in Carl's company. And most importantly: Will Daryl have a shower and finally wash his hair?!
The Walking Dead: What Happened and What's Going On (2015)
Final episode I'll watch
I can imagine the following exchange happening:
"I missed this week's episode of The Walking Dead. What did I miss?"
"Tyreese died
and er, that was pretty much it."
"Sounds boring."
"It was."
"So I didn't miss anything?"
"Well the Governor and a bunch of other dead characters returned during a dream sequence."
"I HATE dream sequences!"
"Me too. The writers have truly ran out of ideas: The whole episode was about a boring insignificant character dying, and a previous good character returning in a goddamn dream sequence. And get this; this episode is supposed to be one of the best of the season!!"
"Oh Wow. Sounds like the shark has been jumped."
"Dude, the shark hasn't just been jumped. It's been lapped
twice."
30 for 30: There's No Place Like Home (2012)
Entertaining yet Empty
Recently a load of episodes of 30 for 30 have been on TV. I started watching this episode "No Place like Home" half expecting to turn it off way before the end as the premise sounded pretty boring: the original rules of basketball, created by Dr. Naismith were coming up for auction at Sotheby's and the filmmaker, Josh Swade, a huge Kansas University basketball fan decided that they belonged there.
Well I was captivated enough to watch till the end, and motivated as a result to write this review. So clearly I found the episode "entertaining", although I am left with a very sour taste in my mouth.
Basically Josh acts as if his life's work is to convince some sucker to pay millions of dollars for a piece of paper, so he can donate it to this University. All because he really likes this University's basketball team. Oh not to mention that this University didn't exactly support his pathetic crusade. This vanity project has very little to do with sport or history but everything to with how much Joshy boy loves this team. After you're introduced to the ridiculous level of fandom that this moron has achieved you have to wonder if there's a history of mental illness in his family.
There are 3 chaps he actually tricks into appearing in his documentary, only after they are on camera does he tell the whole truth that he basically wants them to spend their money to buy a piece of paper for him. To their credit the gentlemen respond to this deceit and arrogance with more class that what I ever could.
The 3rd bloke he begs must have a lot more money than sense, as he agrees that thee holy rules of basketball scrawled upon thy sacred paper belong in the Church of Jayhawks in Kansas. In seriousness the auction itself was tense and incredible, I couldn't believe the bidding war.
Major Spoiler alert: Josh and his new extremely rich best friend win the auction, donate the rules to KU and the world keeps turning
World peace has not been attained, there are still millions on food stamps.. but a billionaire just paid over $4million on a piece of paper to give to an incredibly wealthy university. And most importantly: Josh Swade has been shown to be the best KU basketball fan of all time.
The Walking Dead: Coda (2014)
Best viewed without giving your full attention
After the previous disappointing season of TWD, I considered to stop watching it all together. It was once fresh, new & exciting, but now it lacks suspense & imagination. I decided to give this season one last chance. The first 2 episodes of this season drew me in: The fallout from Terminus & the arrival of a new group who were seemingly a match for Rick & the rest. I couldn't wait to see what was going to happen next; would the Cannibals pick them off one by one? What lead them to become Cannibals & what happened to them at Terminus?...Unfortunately this supposedly intelligent group of Cannibals lead by their charismatic leader were all killed off early on & it's been downhill since, culminating with this second-rate mid-season finale.
The biggest problem the TWD has is that it's difficult to care about the characters when they constantly act irrationally. We are 'supposed' to care that Beth died, but not when her actions can best be described as naive. Anyone with a functioning brain would know that stabbing Dawn in the shoulder with a pair of scissors, whilst surrounded by 2 opposing, heavily-armed gangs is not exactly a wise move. Am I seriously supposed to believe the Beth thought she could kill Dawn & avoid harm coming to herself, & to her people who had risked their own safety to rescue her & Carol?! All the work put into developing Beth's character this half season was all for nothing to see her die in such a pathetic fashion.
Beth's actions seem a lot more plausible compared to Father Gabriel's big day out. A guy who is so scared of walkers, & has somehow survived for so long, decided to break out of the church to walk to the school, unarmed. He then sees what remains of Bob's leg, wusses out a bit, before all the walkers at the school suddenly break out. That's just great timing, Father G obviously can't catch a break! Our favourite Priest then hobbles back to the church, leading a few dozen dead with him. Which leads us to the really moving*, yet ironic scene of him locked outside of the church, begging to be let in. Am I supposed to feel something at this point
apathy?
Ultimately Michonne & Carl give this turn of events about as much thought as the script writers. Unless they have early onset dementia you would expect them to be at least a little bit aggrieved that Gabriel's illogical & unnecessary actions have disrupted their afternoon & put their lives, & Judith's life at risk... Or not, neither of them seem in the least bit bothered. Michonne asks him what happened, & his reply is only "I had to see it".
You had to see it?
You simply had to see Bob's half eaten & badly burnt leg? If there's one thing worth risking your life for, & the people who are helping to keep you safe, it's to sneak out to take a look at a group of cannibals' leftovers.
In second place for great timing this week was the firetruck coming out of nowhere. Fresh from sulking for an episode & a half, Abraham must have some new psychic ability, as within a split second of turning into that driveway he knew where the optimum place was to park: through the church steps & block all the walkers inside, just when they were set to escape. TV gold!
A previous reviewer pointed out that a scene that should have been shown was Carol & Beth's reunion in the church. They haven't seen each other since Carol left the prison. Another interesting scene would have been the firetruck group's decision to return to the church. What would they have said to Eugene once he came round? Especially Abraham, how would he have reacted towards him? I'm pretty disappointed that there's been plenty of filler episodes, & a bunch of stuff that makes no sense, at the expense of potentially interesting & coherent story lines.
This show's not on till February now, I think I can wait till then. If I will actually bother to watch another episode.
*That was sarcasm, you know that.