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Stonesnort
Reviews
I Shot Jesse James (1949)
Good but overshadowed by a far better film
The film isn't bad although they changed some historical facts. But they did mostly stick to what is known and they didn't portray Jesse James as some sort of good guy. The murderous Jesse James often got portrayed as some type of Robin Hood in the era and after. However, the Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford is a brilliant film about the same events with more historical accuracy, better acting and amazing cinematography.
Jupiter's Legacy (2021)
Boring and unpleasant characters
This series plods along switching between the more interesting origin story taking place in the Great Depression and the current day where a superhero couple are dealing with their whinny super hero kids. The daughter is an addict who has renounced her family because daddy didn't spend enough time with her when she was young (seriously) and the son is beset with feeling of inadequacy. Unfortunately, you don't feel any sympathy for any of the characters. The plot is much less interesting than the far superior Invincible on Netflix that also deals with the issues faced by a son with super powers and his super hero father.
Ghostbusters (2016)
Unfunny comedy
A comedy movie and I didn't even chuckle once. Unoriginal, unfunny and a sad waste of talent. Should be less than a 5 on IMDb and I would have given a 3 (some good effects) but gave a 1 because some company shills are giving ridiculous high scores.
The War of the Worlds (2019)
Another version that can't stick to the book
Thought I was getting a period accurate production of a classic book but got a boring Edwardian soap opera. Would probably rate this a 4 or a 5 but when bogus 10s are being posted, I have to help get the total average to a realistic anoint.
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)
Gorgeous Monroe and Russell and a sly message
Unlike most stories of women that portray them as competitors for love and money, in this film Russell and Monroe play two devoted friends who look out for each other. Russell is attracted to a man but refuses to put up with his attacks on her friend. And although Monroe is a gold digger she wants the best for her friend and her message of "men grow cold when women grow old" is still sadly true. Lots of hijinks and fun and great musical numbers. Also, although the two stars wear clothing that never hides their fantastic figures, cleavage and legs are usually covered up and it's the men who are wearing tight revealing swimsuits and showing off. Very refreshing.
Apollo 18 (2011)
The only conspiracy are the 10's this movie is getting
I watched on Netflix so I wasted my time rather than money. And I watched to the end so I could write a fair review, although the acting and plot never improved. I was so angry that this film has a 5.2 rating which convinced us to try it. Lots of fake reviews giving the film a "10" bumped the rating up. Realistically, this is a 3.5, but I'm giving it a one to balance the fake reviews.
Wooden acting - check. Overused "found footage" type of film - check. Alien is a rock/crab creature and burrows into astronaut's body - check. Astronauts, who are the "best and the brightest" and trained by the military, act like idiots, refuse to follow the chain of command- check. The only satisfaction I got from the movie is I guessed every hackneyed plot device and overused trope well in advance.
Westworld (2016)
Watch season 1 and stop
Season 1 would deserve a 9 or 10. And it ends fine. Season 2 will only disappoint you (rate at a 5) and season 3 is a complete waste of time (rate at a 3). Sadly, the acting is still good and high production values but a completely uninteresting story that does not add to or advance the narrative at all.
Artemis Fowl (2020)
Worst book adaptation
What is it with Hollywood where a great book is completely butchered? Mortal Engines, A Wrinkle in Time, the Percy Jackson series, the Seeker, the Golden Compass, etc. Just stick to the story!
Tons of money thrown at CGI scenes that go on so long it becomes boring and nothing into writing a script with a story that makes sense.
Belgravia (2020)
Great Period Piece
Really enjoying the acting and witty script. Great sets and wonderful costumes. I wasn't a fan of Downton Abbey, it was too sappy for my taste. This is the Julian Fellowes of Gosford Park.
Vagrant Queen (2020)
Bad Acting, bad storyline, bad effects
I wanted to like this show when it was described to me as "Guardians of the Galaxy with a black female lead". Sadly, it's worse than a cheap 80's Saturday morning show and some of those were at least entertaining, which this is not.
I haven't been watching much on SyFy and have yet to see a new show on that channel that is any good. This is the station that canceled the excellent show, The Expanse, that was fortunately picked up by Amazon Prime.
The Boys (2019)
Great Ideas about the Reality of Superheros
Great ideas about what superheroes would actually be like. Very intelligent and exciting. A lot of violence for my taste, but that is common in this era and does not take away from the excellent story and acting. I would have rated an 8, but after watching the terrible HBO Watchmen pilot, I wanted to give extra points for not ruining a great story and staying true to the original graphic novel.
Watchmen (2019)
Not against it because it's "woke" but because it's terrible
Awful 1st episode and not even going to bother watching any more. Opens with a fantastic depiction of a terrible true part of US history. Goes downhill from there. Won't go into a long review but the stupid rushed attack on the ranch with inadequate planning or personnel. The police "owl" ship crashes but the pilot and police chief walk out with not a bruise (neither was strapped in). The ending with the police chief leaving his heavily guarded home and driving off alone ending up killed by an old man in a wheelchair. Damon Lindelof had burned his goodwill with the lame ending of Lost and all the unanswered questions so I should have known better. Watch "The Boys" on Amazon for an exciting and intelligent series on superheroes.
Good Omens (2019)
Huge disappointment
This type of British humor was groundbreaking in the 1970's with Monty Python, but feels dated and tiresome now. The acting is too hammy and the series (I admit I gave up on 3rd episode) would have been better if played straight. A fun plot was hidden deep under the layers of corny overacting.
ARQ (2016)
Smart sci-fi
Well done low budget sci-fi film with good acting and clever plot. A different take on the "groundhog day" concept. The ending is a little weak, but a lot of these films that rely on building a sense of mystery and raising a lot of questions have a hard time coming up with something that ties everything together and provides a satisfying solution. Still worth seeing.
Anti Matter (2016)
Weak plot
I don't have a problem with low budget movies. But they have to have a good plot, twists you don't see coming and and ending that makes some sort of sense. The premise of this film is that a scientist discovers a way to create wormholes to move matter. Her two colleagues work with her to test the wormhole machine and keep it secret so they can patent the process. They test it on marbles, Rubik's cube, plants, worm, mice, cat. Oh gee, what will they feel they need to test it on next? If you can't figure that out and foresee what will happen when one of them is the test subject you must have never watched any sci fi ever. After that the movie relies on the type of plot where no one communicates with anyone else. After boring the audience at the beginning of the movie with all the science behind the wormhole process it has a very unscientific and implausible ending. The worse part is I paid to rent this movie on Amazon, based on Rotten Tomatoes rating and now I feel I can never trust RT again.
What Happened to Monday (2017)
Beyond an insult to intelligence
Watched the entire movie overlooking enormous plot holes and nonsensical actions by the characters because some of the acting was quite good, given the material the actors had to work with. But the very last part where the two surviving sisters forgive the actions of the sister who betrayed them and whose actions led to the death of four other sisters, because "all she wanted to do is protect her own children" made me profoundly regret the time wasted watching this movie.
Death Note (2017)
Terrible adaptation of classic manga
Started bad and got worse till I gave up 45 minutes in. Classic example of Hollywood ruining great material. Added a pointless love interest, main character Light is changed from a brilliant sociopath student who doesn't care about the implications of what he is doing to an emo moron, and detective "L" who is more than a match for the brilliant Light of the original manga does stupid and baffling things. Waste of time.