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Time Bandits (2024)
Episode 6 ...
... that is where this series comes into its own.
Well ... in my opinion.
Up to this episode it was one part yawn-fest ... and one part "well that's cool" ... and one part "eh". I really did not vibe with the casting or the writing until episode 6. It kind of seemed as if the show was just hyper-manic and in your face to "like me ... really like me". That is until the episode 6. All of a sudden the pacing slowed to a normal speed ... a speed of a heart beat say ... and the characters all drew breath ... and they all began to not only just play characters ... but to also inhabit their characters.
If the series remains on this tack ... well ... then the series has a lot of promise.
I hope so .. I hope so because I am a huge fan of Terry Gilliam and I would love to see him add another "win" into his achievements column.
Slow Horses: Identity Theft (2024)
I would have been ...
... so pissed.
Gary Oldman and Jack Lowden have such great chemistry when they are on screen together. "Slow Horses" is one of the very best of the streaming shows produced in these past few years. It would be a crime ... pun intended/not intended ... if they had killed off one of the most dynamic characters this season. It is not unheard of ... but I am glad that it was a ruse as I had suspected. I have only just streamed this first episode of the season and I am happy to report that the writing and production are on par with past seasons. It's my hope that this season will continue to "flesh out" the supporting character story lines. There appears to be a wealth of material depth to the supporting characters that will provide very entertaining episodes in the near future. I am also very glad that season five has been confirmed as "green lit" as of this writing. Thank you ... ( it's a crime he has yet to be knighted ) ... Gary Oldman for postponing your retirement.
All of Us Strangers (2023)
"I haven't done anything to be proud of ... "
" ... I've just muddled through."
"No ... Yeah ... well you got through. Some tough times ... I'm sure ... and you're still here ... and ... that's what we're proud of."
"Yeah."
Why is it so hard to say the things that we need to say? The things that are important?
Many might disagree with me ... they might say that they talk among one another all the time.
Okay ... so ... when was the last time you felt that you were truly heard? ... a time when you were truly understood? ... a time when you were truly seen?
I confess that I guessed the plot pretty much from the get go ... from the moment Adam shut the door on Harry. I will also say that ... from the start ... I did not think this was a psychotic break for our man Adam. This is a story about the things unsaid ... the connections unmade ... the paths not only not taken but also those not afforded to us. Almost all of these missed opportunities are because we are more afraid of the inevitable pain of that future loss versus that of the fear of missing out in the first place.
The shame of that ... that fear of pain over the promise of possibility ... is that that is something which we are taught ... it is not something we are born with.
Shame is a good word for it too ... shame is something we are taught ... not something which we are born with.
We are taught to be ashamed of ourselves ... doors are shut ... paths are shut ... first by them ... and later by we ourselves.
The promise becomes something much greater to fear than the possibility.
The magical realism of the parents is necessary to the story ... it informs who Adam grew to become ... how he became that man that shut that door.
It is the beginning of the "why" behind the reason Adam closed that door on Harry.
Was it coincidence that Patsy Cline sang "If I Could See the World" just before Adam's mother gave voice to his own epiphany regarding Harry?
The shame in that is that it was already too late.
In the end Adam finds a way to gather all of this new-found knowledge and ... along with the idea of Harry ... find a way to "muddle through" yet again ... in the hopes that a new promise might come knocking on that door once more.
When did just "muddling though" ever become an acceptable measure of pride?
Harry knows now that just "muddling through" is never acceptable ... and he wants Adam to know that now too.
"Don't let this get tangled up again."
Monarch: Legacy of Monsters (2023)
Dumb? ... Boring? ... Where are the Monsters? ...
... well ... I didn't find "dumb" ... I didn't find "boring" ... but as for the monsters ... they're right here in the reviews! The only thing boring ... used by most "5 star and under" ... and dumb ... used by most "5 star and under" ... is slogging through the reviews of petulant "5 star and under" who seem to have the average attention span of a gnat. The show "Legacy of Monsters" you ask? It's good fun. I like the fact that there is character development. I like that there is a plot that is slowly revealing itself over time as you get to know the characters. Do I agree with every plot twist and plot turn? No ... but then why should I. It's a nice change to have an opportunity to watch a story develop rather than be force-fed one CGI scene after another ... with no real story ... broken up only by protracted explanations of "this is my character" and "this is what I am going to do next" ... all of which is delivered in pseudo-Shakespearean melodramatic fashion. "Rebel Moon" anyone? Thankfully "Monarch: Legacy of Monsters" is not that show. It is worth a watch.
Your Place or Mine (2023)
I dislike not finishing a book or a film once I start it ...
... but this is one movie that really tested that personal modus. I've watched each of these main actors ... and quite a few of the supporting actors ... perform separately in other work ... so it surprises me that this particular movie ... with this cast ... ends up being such a stinker. The mediocre writing has a lot to do with it. The lazy editing has a lot to do with it. The sloppy directing has a lot to do with it. The lackluster acting has a lot to do with it. That's a whole lot of "lots" ... that all add up to nothing special. Maybe I should rethink that need to finish movies ... and books ... even when they aren't good. There are better things to do with your time.
Constantine (2005)
I really wish ...
... that they would make a second ... and perhaps third ... "Constantine" while these wonderful actors are still with us.
Perhaps a story could be centered around Shia LaBeouf's character being stuck in purgatory for many years and him being driven crazy as a result.
"Constantine : Purgatorio".
Tilda Swinton was such a wonderfully twisted Gabriel in this film ... how could you not let her come back and chew the scenery anew..
Peter Stormare elevates everything that he is in ... regardless.
Keanu Reeves ... he is Keanu ... what more need I possibly say.
Rachel Weisz ... wouldn't it be fun to learn that she ventured off on her own demon hunting journey? ... and wouldn't it be fun to find Daniel Craig as a nemesis deeper into a new film?
Gavin Rossdale? ... he's not married to Gwen Stefani any longer ... but what if they both showed up as hench-demons?
C'mon DC / Vertigo ... let's get on this.
Ted Lasso (2020)
This ...
... this is an example of the relationships that we all deserve ... but which few of us rarely get. I'm hard-pressed to think of a better example of what the best representation of humane humanity would be ... in recent memory ... in the distant past ... in any culture ... across any society. It's so easy to lose faith. Life is hard ... effing hard. It's such a special treat that once ... once in a long while ... that clever and creative artists manage to remind us what it requires to rise above all of the "bs" of our convienient but diminished lives ... to ressurect ... to elevate ... all that is good of what it means to be humane ... of what it means to be human. To be huiman is to be mortal ... finite. That is effing scary. Those rare shared moments ... those rare shared flashes of recognition ... that nod of shared understanding ... that's what matters.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds: Those Old Scientists (2023)
Awesome ...
... honestly.
I wasn't sure at first because I thought this would be too far outside "the wheelhouse" ... but it was done with such respect and joy in the reflection of the true spirit of the Trek Universe that I quickly came 'round and this episode absolutely won me over.
It's obvious that the writers ... as well as all others ... involved with "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds" are not only talented at their jobs ... but are also real fans.
I'm just not sure how I'm going to manage that upcoming "musical" episode that i've heard is winging it's way to broadcast ... maybe another bottle of Syrah?
The Last of Us: Long, Long Time (2023)
Unexpected ...
... and wonderfully so.
I am ... I find myself grateful ... to everyone who has a hand in making this show. I confess that I know nothing of the backstory behind "The Last of Us" franchise as I came to it once HBO decided to produce a series based upon the game. That said ... as we all know ... what you end up with can be a very mixed bag once rights are given over. So ... video game source and a large multinational corporation ... albeit with a pretty good track record ... meant that I didn't have high expectations.
That all changed with this episode.
Thank you to all involved for a beautiful and touching "story-within-a-story".
Thank you to all involved for the respect ... the dignity ... the care ... with which you took to tell the tale.
I am thoroughly impressed and grateful.
I look forward to what other tales you have in store.
Foundation (2021)
Very well done ...
... even as it deviates from the source.
I find it amusing ... and sad ... that people are so threatened by ... and so unimaginative of ... stories that deviate from the past.
What? We should all remain stuck and entrenched in old and unequal narratives?
No thank you.
Asimov himself built and expanded upon what came before ... the producers ... writers ... contributors ... only did the same to Asimov's work here. Sometimes it doesn't work ... yet sometimes it does.
This production works ... and it works very well.
As Seldon says to Empire, "... I see the value in difference ... in the new"
Amen.
Spin Me Round (2022)
What ...
... an absolute waste of resources ... utter garbage ... with no plot ... no message ... nothing to redeem itself in any way whatsoever. The only thing that "Spin Me Round" can say for itself is that it finally answers the question of whether or not Fred Armisen and Molly Shannon have any relevance left at all. That answer is "no".
The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement (2004)
Julie Andrews ...
... lost me at the line, "Nepotism belongs in the arts ... not plumbing." Uh ... no. I am sure that was a line channeling a Garry Marshall sentiment but it just reeks of privilege in a movie that already had more than enough excess. Mia's friend Lilly was placed in the movie ... as in the first ... as a token counter but instead of adding levity it just doubles-down on the sense of entitlement. It's a movie ... yeah, I get that ... but there are much better ones out there with a similar story?
By the way ... the brief bio on the gay prince lists "Liberace"? Not simply "classical music" or "humanitarian" ... that's a second "no".
All the humor in this movie comes across cheap and forced ... humor-less.
Noah (2014)
As ridiculous ...
... as the Bible but at least the Bible isn't boring.
The Bible is a fiction of morality tales that are anything but moral but its bloodlust is at least compelling in a way that a good horror story can be. This picture is just painfully boring. Watching "Noah" ... as it meanders along making half-hearted stabs at some poorly assembled collection of noble ideals ... is akin to watching a drunkard shoot pool while quoting Shakespeare.
Messy and tedious ... and hardly entertaining.
Keeping Faith (2017)
Come for the scenery ... stay for the histrionics?
Actually the scenery gets pretty well masticated by the lead actress. There are absolutely ridiculous plot holes throughout and the most asinine decisions made by every character at one time or another just to keep the story moving. The only reason I watched it all was because:
a.) free from local library via hoopla - great app if you haven't found it yet
b.) I like many of the actors ... in other things
c.) I wanted to see just how ridiculous it could get ... and it does not disappoint
Series is best watched as background while doing other things ... that alleviates some guilt at sticking with it. Also ... don't worry if you zone out at any point while viewing ... it wasn't relevant anyway.
Life Itself (2018)
In "Life Itself" ...
... it is the actors who make the film worth watching. The film ends up entertaining enough but it is solely to the credit of the actors and to the skill of the technicians in cinematography and sound. All of these individuals only slightly manage to overcome a contrived and hackneyed script. The juxtaposition is jarring in fact between finesse and mawkishness. Worth a watch to see some very fine artisans but you may come away feeling manipulated like I did. To be clear, movies are a form of manipulation ... Spielberg, Hitchcock, Wilder, Curtiz are a few of the masters. This is to say that such films have their place ... film is a broad enough medium to hold all kinds of interpretations. It's just that when I leave a film by Spielberg, Hitchcock, Wilder or Curtiz I knew what I was getting into because they weren't pretending to be something that they couldn't be ... and I didn't feel like I had to take a shower afterwards.
Pit Stop (2013)
Not a moment wasted ...
A rare film ... a subtle collection of moments that flower into a bloom of incredible beauty.
Patient Zero (2018)
What an utter piece of garbage ...
... not even "comically" bad or "so bad it's good" bad. This is criminally bad and there should be charges levied, but in this case only the viewer pays the penalty ... unfortunately.
Morgan (2012)
Understated Yet Ultimately Powerful ...
One thousand three-hundred seventeen other Ratings and only ten Reviews as I write this ... several of those Reviews are unnecessarily harsh and negative. There is little actual basis for the negativity other than it being an expression of only one person's opinion.
I liked "Morgan" and I'm at a loss that more people have not had ... or taken ... the opportunity to watch such an understated, yet powerful, little film.
Interior. Leather Bar. (2013)
Beware Sheep Clothed Like Wolves ...
I am not sure if the road was paved with good intentions or not, but travel on this road led only to a cul-de-sac of inanity. I believe the intent at its origin was bold. Comment on the censorship of "Cruising" at the time in which it was made accompanied by faithful reproduction of censored scenes could have resulted in a powerful film. Well made, this film could have planted seeds (pun or not) for further assessment. Particularly useful would have been elaboration upon male nudity and sexuality and how it is ... and isn't ... portrayed in the West. However, the result here is simply a self-congratulatory hedonistic indulgence. There is no enlightenment here, just as there is no skill. This work is not even titillating, it is only pathetic.
The Hour of Living (2012)
Sometimes the noble choice is the wrong choice ...
The future is unknown. To do your best is the best that you can hope for ... but what if that isn't enough? What if you do everything that you felt was right and still "bad things happen"?
Only four reviews here when I write this ... and a total of forty-two other ratings. Two reviews sound more like personal vendettas than reviews, but sadly that seems the norm these days. Everybody has a chip.
I liked this little film. I liked it not because it was polished and refined but because ... despite its clunky clumsiness at times ... it manages to fulfill its hope. This film is at its best at George and Theo. George helps Theo and George does this by no other means than to simply be. It is a quiet marvel to watch Theo grow ... using only the tools and context of his own young life thus far. George is the mentor that I'd wished I'd had. Actually ... and more accurately ... Theo has the skill set that I wish that I'd had, enough self awareness to let curiosity triumph over fear.
I wish I'd had that in spades.
October Faction (2020)
October Faction is based on a comic book written by Steve Niles ...
... and illustrated by Damien Worm.
Let's revisit that ... the show is based on a comic book.
Dismiss all the reviews that use "woke", "P.C.", "lefty", "agenda", "crusade", and the like in their title or their text. It says plenty about those "reviewers" and very little about the show itself. That being said, the show "October Faction" has a good idea at its core, but the execution leaves a lot to be desired. All the comments regarding the casting choices have merit. The casting is a bit of a head scratcher especially, as mentioned by others, with regard to the age of the actors and timeline continuity. I agree that in the case of the Dad, seven years looks like it has caused twenty years worth of wear and tear. Despite this, I don't think any of the actor's acting is bad per se, but I do agree the acting and direction has a decidedly "rushed" feel to it. The script should have been amended to incorporate the actual age of the actors. The acting, the direction, the writing, or all three should have undergone more rehearsal and refinement. Unfortunately, this is Netflix and not Toho in the years of Kurosawa. So relax, and remind yourself that you're the one who flipped on Netflix and not The Criterion Channel. You might just be entertained.
By the way, to all those of you who continually dredge up "woke", "P.C.", "lefty", "agenda", "crusade", and the like ... the only thing tired and tedious is your astounding lack of empathy and your childish resentment at being reminded that, though life is not fair, you don't need to go out of your way to keep it that way. Don't like inclusion? I'm sure there's plenty of fiction at FOX to keep you entertained. Feeling threatened by a television show? Well, life's gonna rub you pretty raw if that's all it takes to get your hackles up ... better you should get some baby powder for that rash and step away from the Netflix.
The Man in the High Castle (2015)
Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away.
Let's be honest, subtlety is not exactly in high use in this day and age amongst Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and the like. When was the last time you reached for "A Raisin in the Sun" or "A Single Man" or "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian"? When was the last time you reached for a book? Books and Plays like those mentioned tend to make you think in ways you may not have thought before. Good Literature can expand your ability to empathize. Reading a variety of good Literature is one way that you exercise the critical skills necessary to develop a sound mind and a broad understanding. In its best form, Literature accomplishes this subtly. Avoiding such things as critical thinking is how you become insular and entrenched in your own bias and bigotry. There is a reason that Fascists start with libraries, museums, and cultural institutions. All of this aside, criticisms directed at the show "The Man in the High Castle" are not without merit. "The Man in the High Castle" is heavy handed ... cartoonish ... in its execution. Perhaps that is what is required to get attention nowadays ... a sledgehammer not a scalpel. I also suspect that is what occurs when there are too many cooks in the kitchen. Executives and Advertisers have always muddied the waters by withholding support in exchange for influence over the narrative. You would be naive to hold only the Writer, or Director ... indeed any solitary Contributor ... to blame if you find the production not up to your standards. On the flipside, if all you seek is "mindless" entertainment there is plenty of that elsewhere. Philip K. Dick was the antithesis of "mindless". I can say that I enjoyed the production and that I applaud the effort. Previous rants already posted in the guise of a "review" of "The Man in the High Castle" actually take aim at current real world Social conflict. Such precedent makes the case for a just counter opinion to be posted. So, while this is not strictly a review of the television show, I think it's worth saying.
Nightflyers (2018)
Idiotic ...
... absolutely and unequivocally idiotic.All of the reasons pointed out by other reviewers and more are proof to the point. On one reason alone, why if this mission is "Earth's Last Hope" is Earth itself and all its billions glaringly absent? Not even a "ground control"? You think someone would have noticed the ship careening toward the planet moments after engaging initial thrust meant to break orbit. Although Earth had neglected to say "Bon Voyage" at that point they might have chirped in with an "Uh ... guys, you might wanna ..." Also, perhaps if Earth had been space faring for millennia, and had by that time a fleet of thousands, I might then believe a crew comprised of such delinquents ... an unfortunate need to scrape the bottom of the barrel ... but not on the first ship, a flagship, said to be the one and the only. This might have had promise, but as it stands this incarnation fails. Before I go, I find it insulting when a production is so lazy that it uses props to drive the story forward ... by this I mean a huge manual override below the center console of the command deck and yet there is no redundant override by the Captain ... wherever he is ... nor by the pilot? I mean c'mon! It reminds me of the time I cheered Gwen,"Well forget it! I'm not doing it! This episode was badly written!" And what the farathoom is always with the "dripping water" in the service tunnels? Do we evolve past the need for plumbers? ... okay, smoothing the hackles, or else I'll be at this for much too long. Unfortunately, this review was after only watching the first episode ... no plans to watch the others.
Next Gen (2018)
Pretty Awful ...
... overall, pretty awful. A truly awful protagonist in the form of an emotionally stunted and abusive adolescent was at the center of the movie. A sidekick in the form of a foul mouthed dog was deplorable, not comedic relief. ( Parents who turned the movie off when the dog came on, I salute you. ) "Winks and nods" to other films are fun ... fun if you have an original storyline in the first place. Even then, a couple of nods is fun and a nice salute, but more than that is pretty much outright lifting/plagiarizing. The nods here were more like hammer blows to the limbic system. The elephants in the room are "BladeRunner", "Terminator", "I Robot", "Big Hero 6", "Westworld" and "The Stepford Wives." Perhaps a few other elephants I hadn't spotted but I have no plans to rewatch this movie so I'll leave that to others if more are to be found. While the animation is indeed very good, considering how much of the movie was not original leaves me wondering whose software was this film counterfei ... er ... created on? The two stars are for the last eight minutes. Only in the last minutes does the young girl show any sympathetic emotion just before the not too blatant "pat" ending that is the norm these days. You can trust me on this, "I've got your back."