weatherladykatie Reviews

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024)

Surprised by the low rating - Spoiler free

[8/10 · 25 March 2024]

I only just saw Afterlife, though I've always loved the original two Ghostbusters films. A lot has changed in 40 years, and in my opinion I thought there was a perfect blend of tradition and new. I thought the carrying forward of Dr. Spengler's legacy was well done and appropriate. They play on a lot of nostalgia without overdoing it, and using modern technology to keep it fresh and up to date. There's ample humor, but I would easily call this the scariest of the series. Paul Rudd has a moment (we all know the one if we've seen it) that is incredibly cheesy. But I couldn't bring myself to not laugh. They've left it open enough for a new generation of Busters to take over from the legends themselves, and I was very happy with Dan Aykroyd's larger role. I was glad to see Winston and Venkman make their return as well, along with Jeanine. It would have been nice to have the WHOLE gang back together with Louis and Dana, but maybe in the future.

All in all a solid continuation of one of my childhood favorites.

Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021)

Lovely tribute to Harold Ramis

[8/10 · 17 March 2024]

With so many reboots and sequels missing the mark I didn't know what to expect of this one. But I kept an open mind knowing that it was a tribute to Harold. It took some time for the story to get going where the originals jumped right in, but the result was worth the wait. Without adding spoilers, they tastefully wove together all the pieces from 1984 in a way that still made sense and gave it new life. You kind of get the feeling this is their way of saying goodbye to their friend, but without making it cheesy. Be sure to watch the credits for a few special appearances and a teaser that leaves you open for what's to come in the Frozen Empire.

You Are What You Eat: A Twin Experiment (2024)

Think I'm gonna go eat a steak

[1/10 · 26 February 2024]

I got about 15 minutes into the first episode and it didn't even take that long to see it was going to be a brow-beating, shoving the vegan agenda down everybody's throats. There is no true control because even though they are separated between vegan and omnivore, they still are selecting their own menus. If you want a real, unbiased experiment, it needs to be controlled. I was glad to see I'm not the only one feeling like I was watching a very one sided propaganda. By the end of the first episode all I wanted to do was go have a nice big steak with a milkshake.

Sure, we could all do with more fruits and vegetables in our diets but you will never convince me that lab created meat alternative compounds are better for me than a piece of fish or chicken breast. Based on reviews for the other three episodes I don't feel any need to finish watching so thank you all for saving me 3 hours.

Smile (V) (2022)

A decent film, but predictable

[7/10 · 31 January 2024]

The trailers for this one looked super creepy, so I was really excited to find it streaming and give it a go. I'll do my best to avoid spoilers!

Based on your average Hollywood scare movie, it was completely predictable. There were a few twists and turns but if you're a horror fan, you will probably see them coming. They fooled me once, but then tried the same trick later in the movie. Twice. They did leave me curious about the entity... How it started, when it started, why it does what it does. Seeing that there's a sequel coming maybe will answer some of these questions.

Cinematography was quite good, the acting is fairly decent. They definitely built suspense and made me jump a few times. Probably not something I would watch repeatedly but it was definitely worth seeing.

Evil Lives Here: A Special Place in Hell (2022) Season 12, Episode 4

Couldn't even bring myself to watch it

[1/10 · 13 December 2023]

I don't like to victim blame, but how dumb can you get? She knew before they even got involved that he was on parole, and she didn't bother to find out why before getting involved with him or letting him into her children's lives? I could tell by the way they set up the episode and introduced her kids that something was going to happen to them. The signs were all there in black and white from the very beginning, she just didn't want to see them. I'm sorry for the losses of the children, they were the innocent ones. That's about it, I skipped the whole episode because I knew it would make me too angry to just watch her make excuses and let it happen.

Doctor Who: The Star Beast (2023) Season Unknown, Episode Unknown

Best thing I've seen since the 50th

[10/10 · 25 November 2023]

I will do my best to avoid spoilers but I will say, Doctor Who is officially back on track.

RTD came out swinging with the return of David Tennant as the Doctor, and he wastes no time in accidentally running into Donna Noble. It's clear the show has had some upgrades in terms of budget. Great improvements in special effects, the acting is brilliant as ever from David and Catherine Tate, and the story has a few unexpected twists. Anyone who has seen Donna Noble's exit from the show will wonder how it can work, but he makes it all make sense.

RTD, you brilliant bugger, in 60 minutes you've saved 60 years of sci-fi history. It'll be hard to wait another week to see where the TARDIS will take them next!

Obsession: Dark Desires: Friend Request (2019) Season 5, Episode 3

Can't feel sorry for this one

[1/10 · 17 August 2023]

First the man wouldn't give her his phone number, then slowly he confesses that he lied to her about being in prison, then he lied about WHY he was in prison. He was in for attempted murder. All of these things aside and she STILL goes ahead and involves herself with him? All of the red flags were there and waving at her, she should have changed her number and cut all ties immediately before she even met the guy. How is he supposedly going to support her (like he said he would) with that kind of history? Then we find out he committed cold blooded murder. And still, she stays.

I don't feel bad for this lady at all. I feel for the child who was innocent in all this, and that her mother put her directly in harm's way.

Evil Lives Here: One of His Women (2019) Season 5, Episode 10

WHERE was the mother?

[6/10 · 4 August 2023]

Trigger warning: Child abuse and sexual assault

This episode was extremely difficult to watch. The father was abusing the children for years and grooming them to basically be his sex slaves. Where was the mother while all of this was going on? She's mentioned several times, so why isn't she doing anything to stop him or remove themselves from the home? I find it difficult to believe the children didn't have bruises, and did she never question any of her daughter's 5 pregnancies, and who the father was? She should be in jail right next to the father for neglect.

I hope all those kids are okay now and free from both of their parents.

Rocky Horror Show: Livestream Theater (2020 Video)

A treasure

[8/10 · 14 April 2023]

I very clearly remember waiting up to watch this. It was a faithful retelling of the cult classic with some of the original cast gracing our screens. It was a strange and difficult world we were living in with the pandemic, still trying to figure out which way was up, and productions like these were everywhere. Fun little romps to try to cheer us all up. To me, this was a great success.

And to the one and only Tim Curry. He hasn't done much on screen since his health changed, but there is so much to be said for the fact that he loves his craft and this work so much that he did it anyways. As a long time fan not only of the film but of Mr. Curry, it was a wonderful treat to see him return.

Is it perfect? No. But see it for what it is: a love letter to the fans of RHPS.

Love & Gelato (2022)

Nothing like the book

[3/10 · 7 November 2022]

I read this book and loved it. Even just through words, it captured the charm of Florence. So I was very excited to see that it had been made a movie! Imagine my surprise when the only similarities were the names of most of the characters. They're in the wrong city, it wasn't Mom's dying wish that she get to know her dad, she barely knows Lorenzo until halfway through the movie. Mom never even mentioned her dad at all, it was meant to be a trip for the two of them. She barely gets to know Howard at all. Everything about it is wrong except the beautiful countryside. Wish they would have been at least a little faithful to the book.

The Lion King (2019)

Stick to the original

[4/10 · 16 January 2022]

It has all the music and the script of the original, but without the comedic timing.

I was very excited to see this. I've loved a large number of the live action makings of my favorite animated classics. But this one completely missed the mark. Delivery of the lines was flat and mechanical. It felt rushed. I don't know how voice over acting can be so unconvincing, but they managed to nail it! The one exception is the great James Earl Jones.

The animated film was a masterpiece. It made sense. The characters had dimension and expression. It was funny and tragic and uplifting all at once. The live action? It was missing all of this. It was just depressing. I didn't even finish it and was sad that this was my kids' first exposure to one of my favorite classics.

Doctor Who: Eve of the Daleks (2022) Season Unknown, Episode Unknown

Actually pretty good

[8/10 · 2 January 2022]

I'm one of Chibnall's biggest critics. I've not been a fan of his writing since about halfway through his first season. I thought Flux was a mess. He crammed in way too much and tried way too hard.

Eve of the Daleks he got back to basics. It was simple but straightforward. To avoid spoilers things seemed to flow a lot better. The romancing The Doctor schtick has gotten old... The doctor is an alien. Why do humans keep forgetting that and falling in love with him/her? My other criticism is that the Daleks don't usually miss, and it seems as though they were training with their new firepower with Storm Troopers. They couldn't hit the broad side of a barn. Otherwise a solid effort.

Beauty and the Beast (I) (2017)

Very enjoyable

[8/10 · 16 November 2021]

I loved how true the film is to the animated version. They added music and a few extra scenes, but they were very appropriate additions. Some things that didn't make sense in the animation were explained with these. My one critique is the choreography. There was so much opportunity to wow with, well, something! But they had the characters sitting and watching, or walking. Otherwise it was very well done. I love the casting. In that regard I would change nothing!

Cobra Kai: Take a Right (2019) Season 2, Episode 6

Have your tissues ready

[9/10 · 21 October 2021]

I don't agree with all of Cobra Kai's methods but I think Johnny is on a real journey of personal growth and trying to be better. Kreese is the real villain and he's taking some of the kids along with him. I love all the throwbacks and staying true to the movies. I had a bad feeling when they started playing "The Show Must Go On" and turned out to be right. I never saw myself crying for a Cobra Kai, but there I was. Best episode yet.

Squid Game (2021– )

Hard to like

[2/10 · 11 October 2021]

I'm really not understanding why this show is so popular. I'm half way through and only one of the primary characters is likeable. The main guy gambled away his life, including his relationship with his daughter. The women are whiny and annoying. The "rivals" are your classic vicious bullies. The only character I'm really rooting for is the Pakistani. The story might be interesting if they weren't all in there because of their own bad choices, but I'm just having a hard time getting through this series.

Clickbait (2021)

Never saw the final twist

[9/10 · 8 October 2021]

From the first episode I was hooked on this show. Everybody seemed to have a secret and nothing was what it initially seemed. I gave it a 9 because there is a bit of a plot hole.

*****Spoilers!!!

The mistress has flashbacks of their affair, which could be called out as an obvious plot hole. But from some of her actions later in the episode, it's completely plausible that maybe she isn't all there, and the affair was just a fantasy.

All in all a well done series with a stark reminder of the importance of being careful about your interactions online. The final twist caught me completely by surprise, and the saddest thing if all was learning the truth. I enjoyed this series very much.

Charmed: Forever Charmed (2006) Season 8, Episode 22

Best series finale ever

[10/10 · 9 September 2021]

Over 20 years later this is still my favorite TV show. The series finale takes you on an emotional journey through the past and into the future, and ties all the pieces together beautifully. It's not without a few cry moments, but it ends with a satisfying story.

Doctor Who: The Timeless Children (2020) Season 12, Episode 10

Take the pen away from Chibnall before the series is dead

[1/10 · 1 June 2021]

You can't rewrite 60 years of lore like that! Just stop it! I have nothing positive to say about this episode. At all. The season got off to a great start with Spyfall and there have been a few pleasant surprises peppered in there, like Jack Harkness, but the rest all needs to be retconned.

I don't know who can fire Chibnall but it needs to be done. Take out the trash and restore our beloved show before it's too late.

The Invisible Man (I) (2020)

Didn't see that twist coming...

[9/10 · 14 April 2021]

... But let's face it, I probably should have.

This movie provides an interesting twist on the classic story of a woman leaving her abuser. Without spoilers, she sneaks out in the dead of night, he catches get trying to leave. Soon after she receives word that he's dead and she's too inherit his fortune. That's when the weird things start.

Elisabeth Moss does a brilliant job as Cecilia, and they have done a great job at making her look crazy. There is a twist or two, and I really should have seen them coming but it was clever enough that I didn't. Very enjoyable movie, it gave me more than one jump from my seat!

The Dark Tower (2017)

If I hadn't read the books, I might have liked it

[6/10 · 11 January 2021]

I'm a long-time "constant reader", as Mr. King calls his fans. I've read The Dark Tower series multiple times and was so excited to hear a movie adaptation was finally coming! There's a few things they got right. But only very few. My review is mostly relevant to people who have read the books and wonder if they should give the movie a try.

Where's Eddie? Susannah? Oy? I can forgive the missing story of his childhood. But everything else is wrong. Roland is there, and Jake, and Walter. The breakers are a much bigger part of the story than in the books. He never makes it to the field of roses. The rest of the story doesn't much relate to the books.

Now to the good. Idris Elba is a brilliant actor. The dynamic between Roland and Susannah makes their races significant, but with no Susannah it's irrelevant. I love Matthew Mcconaughey as Walter. The breakers are exactly as I imagined them.

I really wanted to like this. If I hadn't read the books, I might have been able to.

Rose Red (2002)

Great idea, mediocre execution

[8/10 · 4 April 2010]

As an avid Stephen King fan, I'm always excited about new work of his. Rose Red was no exception. However the more of his movies I see, the more I think he seriously needs to discuss making them with another production company. I love the idea of Rose Red, the cast was chosen well, and of course it was very well written. But the execution was mediocre at best. It was pretty clear that some of these special effects, in fact most of them, were made from a shoestring budget. Some things were just plain cheesy. In this day in age, the graphics should have been a bit more convincing. Nancy Travis did a fine job showing the deterioration from a slightly eccentric college professor to obsessed psychopath, but at times her acting was not the greatest. All in all if you're a King fan like me, you should check this out, but don't expect to find "Shawshank Redemption" or "The Green Mile" here. Good work, but he needs to fire his directors. I give it a 7.5, but round it up to an 8 because it was written by Mr. King.