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Reviews
The Bricklayer (2023)
We were promised action & it delivered.
As advertised The Bricklayer is an all action thriller, I'm not quite sure what some early reviewers thought they were going to see?
This movie doesn't pretend to be anything more than it is. You want deep nuanced story telling? Then go back to the 1950's. I'm not sure Hollywood has produced anything revolutionary for decades. However we all crave escapism from time to time & who better than Renny Harlin the Director of Die Hard 2 & Cliffhanger to provide us with the opportunity. Could the script have been better? Sure! Yet neither of the two action movies mentioned were literary masterpieces but they sure kicked butt & so does The Bricklayer.
While Aaron Eckhart (Vail) may not be the first name to come to mind when looking to cast an all action, down & dirty hero. I really appreciate not seeing the usual suspects cast in these roles. Having left field casting was a brave decision that paid off & not just with Eckhart. Who certainly gives a rough & enjoyable performance as our reluctant but flawed hero but also Nina Dobrev who was a refreshing choice to play (Kate). Her character evolves from stuffy, wet behind the ears & by the book CIA analyst to a badass field operative. Both were great casting choices who leave you wanting more. Perhaps we will get more if subsequent movies are to be green lit. I enjoyed the fact we weren't fed the usual sexual tension or let's jump into bed together cliche. No we are instead served up an unapologetic all action romp.
While the budget for the film appeared light on paper. You wouldn't know it by how good the finished product looked on screen. I guess a capable Director, suited by the genre with brave casting choices produced a winning formula. The Bricklayer is a throwback of sorts to when movies were fun, energetic & didn't take itself or their audiences too seriously. For that alone I appreciated & enjoyed this movie & would certainly welcome a sequel.
The Vampire Diaries (2009)
Surprisingly Addictive - Must Watch!
Recently Binged all 8 seasons for the first time and already rewatched up to season 6 episode 21. Won't spoil but for me the series peaked around that episode. Also have found myself replaying scenes multiple times, I can't think of another show that's hooked me quite like this one. I have never taken drugs in my life but the best description I can give of The Vampire Diaries is it must be like taking Crack Cocaine. This show is ridiculously addictive but be warned it can also be hugely frustrating. Season 1 starts off slowly but the writers & actors hit their stride around episode 6 and then there's just no turning back.
With so much depth & detail within each episode. It's not easy to identify a better written series. The Vampire Diaries is many things. It's tragic, funny, shocking, loving, surprising & ridiculously frustrating to name just a few but most of all it's Epic.
With three lead actors. Nina Dobrev is fabulous while effortlously playing multiple characters (10/10), Exciting Ian Somerholder as Bad/Good Vampire Damon (9/10) & Paul Wesley as Good/Bad guy Stefan (9/10) are all incredibly impressive. Given their youth & relative inexperience at that time. To then go on to produce 22 episodes a season of such quality speaks volumes in regard to their talents. So surprised we haven't seen Nina, Paul & Ian enjoy huge cinematic success off the back of TVD. All of them gave exceptional performances here. Although the leads are the main drivers of this show the supporting cast are equally impressive, important & to be enjoyed.
You will fall in love with many of these characters (just like Damon & Stefan, I fell in love too) but most of all you will cry, cry & cry again. So break out the tissues for this addictive, rollercoaster ride of a show & thank me later.
Sick Girl (2023)
Sick Girl (Nina Dobrev) Has Got The Cure.
How do you take a controversial idea & then produce a heartwarming story of self discovery. Answer you hire Nina Dobrev to play the lead. From a desperate lie, guilt ridden Wren successfully rekindles friendships from years long past. While I enjoyed the film you are left feeling it could have been so much more. More meat on the bone was required to understand why these friendships were so important. Yet it's still fun & at times extremely awkward. What we are ultimately left with is a classic story of redemption. I guess we can all relate at some level. Supporting cast all did a good job with limited material. Sick Girl could have been terminal but Dobrev's charm never fails to draw you in. I guess she always has the cure. Still waiting to see her in a role worthy of her extensive talents. 7/10.