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Reviews
Bullet Train (2022)
Late to the party, excellent movie
This movie passed me by, It showed up on my radar after watching the fall guy movie from the same director.
Bullet train is excellent, dialogue reminds me of a Guy Richie movie. Nice stunts, simple fun plot. Old school action with no political virtue signalling. Plenty of comedy and some really nice action scenes and visuals.
They could do a sequel with a similar job in a different setting and I think this would work quite well.
I will be keeping an eye out for new movies by this director. Hollywood should fund the likes of these types of movies more often and they wouldn't be haemorrhaging so much money.
Would recommend!
The Wheel of Time: Eyes Without Pity (2023)
What a uturn in direction
After hating how much they butchered the characters and books this episode was a pleasant surprise. Really good in fact. Hated season 1 apart from a few choice scenes.
Hopefully this new direction from the last 2 episodes will continue into season 3.
They have realised the seanchan threat and scenes really well, they are fleshing out other characters and concepts finally. I would be curious to know what changed on the inside and with the production of the show. Did the writers take on board some of the criticism or did these scenes finally align with their warped politically motivated culture war.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds: Subspace Rhapsody (2023)
Fun and a nod to Buffy Musical
Strange new worlds has really been knocking it out the park with the latest season. The cast are fantastic and well developed with interesting side stories and plots. The episode plots have been varied, unique and interesting.
Then we get a musical episode, like whaaaaaaaa
It really reminds me of the Buffy Once more with feeling episode, one of the most memorable and rewatched episodes for me.
I'm not a fan of musicals honestly but the story made sense, it was fun and it even had nods to the Buffy episode where they reference bunnies. The performances were great and the songs were catchy. It's original and daring and fun.
Strange new worlds is a must watch and bridges the gap for all kids of audiences. I'm not a fan of the direction Picard show went but I love discovery and of course tos, tng, ds9, voyager even enterprise. This is Star Trek for a new generation and it's damn good.
Foundation (2021)
Stunning visuals interesting plot
I think this is one of those shows you probably need to watch before you read the books. I love sci-fi and this show has been fantastic. The technology and cgi to bring it alive is incredible. Great cast and really enjoyable storyline and side plots.
Nothing feels forced or preachy or pushed with an underlying political view or motive or agenda. It's just jaw dropping satisfying science fiction.
It took me a few episodes to really get into the show but once hooked you will binge the hell out of this one.
Would reccomend. Best Apple Original show. One of the best looking space sci-fi shows I have ever seen. Expanse is up there but this takes it up a notch in terms of technological advancement.
The Witcher: Family (2021)
Fantastic!
Fantastic, loved it. Ciri really came into her own this season. Can't wait for season 3 and the preview of the mini series with Michelle yeoh. Omg so excited!
Dune (2021)
Visually stunning but that's about it
I grew up watching lynches Dune as a kid and really loved it before I understood it properly or read the books.
I couldn't help but compare scenes watching the remake. The harkonan scenes are underwhelming and not very good.
I miss the thoughts exposition from the original movie.
The gom jabbar scene is underwhelming too. I find myself quoting the old script which just works better.
The costumes are better in the old movie.
Jessica is way better in the old movie, better cast and more royal and ladylike with the costume design. In fact the cast for the old movie was better. I like Duke Leto and Paul but a lot of the characters just feel like they have no soul.
The soundtrack is so boring in places. When the attack happens against the attreides and there's a bit of action there's just a depressing droning soundtrack that doesn't add any excitement or adrenaline. Just sorrow.
The whole movie has a subdued washed out feel to it. It's very slowly paced too. Nothing feels exciting or tense.
Then letssss dooo the sanddd walk agaaaiin. Seriously that's just looks dumb. I hated it. Lol
Also is it just me or did anyone else prefer the old sfx for the personal shields? I know lynch made up the weirding modules and weapons with sonic tech, but I miss them. "Even my name is a killing word" that was great.
Anyways, nostalgia aside. I'm sure plenty will be happy with the adaption. For me it just makes me want to rewatch the old movie.
Gunpowder Milkshake (2021)
Stylish cult classic
Ignore the negative reviews, don't overthink it.
Enjoy the great action moments and wild ride.very similar to John wick but a bit more playful and light hearted.
Love the ambience and colour direction from some of the scenes. Some fab costumes and brilliant one off characters.
Love and Monsters (2020)
Zombie land without the zombies and a cool dog!
Hadn't heard of this movie, came up on Netflix trending so popped it on. What a pleasant surprise! Genuinely enjoyed this. The doggo was the cherry on top. I want a prequel to see who the good boys owner was.
Split (2016)
Wow
Completely unknown movie to me, randomly watched as it had the same actress out of the recent Netflix hit the queens gambit.
Wow just wow... I did not see any of that coming. What a ride! Then the credit scene and tie in with unbreakable. Truly unexpected gem.
Away (2020)
"Lost" in space
Follows same formula as lost. Introduce the episodes emotional or physical disaster at the main set piece in space. Flash back and give some background and character building for one of the characters. Sprinkle in some drama back on earth. Finish each episode on a high note back in space with the episodes problems solved.
Acting and casting is great. Production quality is absolutely fine. Some episodes the problems are just way over the top and it feels like in real life not a great deal would go wrong while travelling in a straight line to Mars. They should have spent less episodes on the journey and made the bulk of the show solving difficulties And setting up at atlas on mars along with their experiments.
Doctor Who (2005)
Since chibnall took over it's used as a platform but not to tell good sci-fi stories
I grew up watching original series doctor who taped on vhs and borrowed from my friend who had uk tv gold on sky.
I have loved every incarnation of the doctor, my favourites being Tom baker and sylvester McCoy.
When the new series returned I was on board with Christopher eccleston and have loved every doctor right through to Peter capaldi. I must admit it took a while to get into how peter portrayed the doctor but the episodes just kept getting better the more screen time we got with him.
I have my favourite episodes and I think each doctor had some weak episodes but then there's Chris chibnall direction for doctor who and Jodie Whittaker.
Jodie could be a great doctor but appears to be ham string by poor writing that instead of writing a good story seems to just use the dr who name as a platform for environmental issues. True I know the show has had messages before that relate to real world issues as does all scifi. My issue is it is done in such a poor way that it isn't even subtle. It just smacks you in the face to the detriment of the stories.
It's like they are adding some aliens or sci-fi as an after thought to a recycling story about micro plastics they want to tell.
I just really really hate the direction it's gone and there are a few fans still, but the majority of the fan base has packed up and decided to take a break until they either get a new show runner or doctor who gets cancelled... again!
Do yourself a favour and watch episodes like blink, girl in the fireplace, waters on mars, silence in the library, hell bent, heaven sent, face the raven, empty child.
None of Chris chibnalls episodes can even stand against these masterpieces. They just told a good sci-fi story and were good without having to rely on pandering.
Star Trek: Picard (2020)
Great first episode
Iv liked all trek from the original series right through to voyager and the more recent discovery.
Good sci-fi set in a universe I love.
Ignore the hypercritical reviews and just enjoy some good tv.
Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
Fitting end for a beautiful saga.
Wow, why all the hate?
Don't buy into the hype or the hate. Make your own path and decision whether you like the movie.
I really enjoyed this movie and to be quite honest with you I enjoyed all the star wars movies for the most part. Lowest points being the gungans and political lagging from some of the prequels.
There were several scenes where I welled up throughout the movie.
Scenes with fairwells to the old guard and then scenes where the crescendo of light meets dark and then the final fairwell scene at the end.
It was very movie and expertly done.
I think people that hate it are perhaps diving too deep on the technical aspect of everything.
I went with a open mind and accepted and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Now Spoilers:
The scene where Rey inched closer to palpatine with the lightsaber as he force lightning her was very reminiscent of Mace Windu confrontation where the lightning begins to bounce back until he is defeated. I thiink Mace windu would have ended him in very much the same way if it wasn't for anakin. It was a nice throw back and the sheer weight knowing she had the force and all those past jedi behind her was wonderful.
Sharing lifeforce by the force was a nice touch, essentially we got to see how force healing had worked and how the emperor must have survived. He was a nexus point for the darkside and again really cool effort on the special effects and seeing him absorb the lifeforce of rey and kylo was cool.
Lukes force ghost catch of the lightsaber and then motivating prep talk to put Rey back on the right path was exactly what she needed to hear at the right time. I can see some people trying to complain that force ghosts can't touch stuff and moaning, but lets remember. Luke was powerful and the likes of him hadn't been seen before.
Rey entering the old deathstar and seeing her climb up and around what looks like the same pillar and console where Obi wan previously disabled the shields in Episode IV. Wonderful throwback!
The scene where you see the emperors old throne chair and the smashed up windows and hidden chamber that acted like the testing cave luke did on Dagobah. It made sense as well, a convergence of the dark side in a area. So Brilliant!
Things that emotionally struck me deep:
Seeing Chewie lose another of his old friends. Poor chewie has been through a lot and seen so many die. When he collapsed and wailed, it really had me in tears.
Seeing Han appear to Kylo, whether in his tortured head by his imagination or whether it was a force ghost, I don't know but the scene was beautiful.
The X-Wing rising out of where it had been left. Scene for scene like what happened on Dagobah. Seeing Rey take up both lightsabres and wear lukes flight helmet. Emotionally Moving. She was truly becoming part of the skywalker family and essentially adopted and directed by the family legacy at this point.
The final scene. Binary sunset is probably my favourite scene in any star wars movie and that score. This was a perfect full circle back to Tatooine with the sumbolic burying of the lightsabres amd a new chapter for Rey. I was left with no doubt she will restore the Jedi now with force sensitive Finn as one of her first pupils.
Joker (2019)
Stopped 40 mins in to check IMDb rating
Stopped to double check IMDb rating, thought I'd been watching for over a hour but turned out it was just 40 mins. Boring, depressing, could have been a movie without the joker link. Over hyped. Not my cuppa tea.
About Time (2013)
About family life and death
After losing my dad to cancer I saw this movie and it really struck a chord with me. The love and bond between father and son. It's beautifully made with clever dialogue and a satisfying ending. One of my favourite movies to remember him by.
Tron: Legacy (2010)
Love this movie
I adore this movie.
Visuals. Soundtrack. Cast.
Severely underated!
Star Trek: Discovery (2017)
Gorgeous set design and cgi. Loving the new Klingons and gorgeous captain
Revisiting my positive review from the first series I have to say this has been a fantastic ride.
If your a star trek purist there is probably nothing I can say to change your mind if you don't already like it. For me I grew up watching TNG, DS9 and Voyager on VHS. I love the classic series too and the movies. This is a great addition to a back catalogue of stories and lore.
Discovery is set in the star trek universe so theres a lot of familiarity but its done in a more modern style with more action, faster paced episodes and brilliant special effects.
I love modern gritty action Sci-Fi. I love Star Trek. Why not both?
The first two seasons spend a lot of time skirting around and trying to fit carefully around the original cannon without trampling on what came before. Its a balancing act that I feel the writers have mostly pulled off.
From my perspective what they added to the cannon is fine and makes no change to the old stories or what we understood. They could have made Spock female and underwent a sex change as a child but thankfully they didn't go down that route like other franchises we know... (Doctor Who for example where the writers retconned the doctors gender and species destroying /re-writing decades of established lore... urrrggh )
The third season kicks off in an excellent direction setup wonderfully by the writers to allow completely new stories to be told and changing the main mission of the crew to one that closely follows the core fundamental values established by star trek lore.
I have heard the argument that this show could have been a stand alone scifi show without any relation to star trek. Sure ok.. but it recycles lots of excellent concepts and technology and plays with the ideals and morales of star fleet from an individuals standpoint. It undoubtedly triggers emotional responses from the viewers.
Ultimately its a "what if" scenario that we see played out. It's star trek from a different perspective and one that is told with characters who are not perfect by starfleet standards and that the idealistic problem free ascended society portrayed by the original story is not a complete picture of star fleet or mankind as a whole.
Can't wait to see what it does next. :)
Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015)
Brilliant
I used to watch the original star wars movies over and over every chance I got as kid, never owned the VHS tapes but always managed to see the movies over x-mas on TV. I watched them way before I really understood most of the story and always wanted to be Luke Skywalker.
Of course when you get a bit older you start to pay attention to the story more and suddenly think Han Solo is the character you want to be.
I loved the original movies, I didn't mind the 3 newer movies at first with all the flashy fight scenes and next level force action. Over the years though I did tire of all the slow political garbage that really bogged those movies down. The 3rd movie probably being the best as things really started to happen after all the political setup from the prior movies.
Just saw Force Awakens last night and I have to say this was a fantastic movie that set a easy to watch pace with a relatively simple albeit re-used story line. A lot of pass over the part to a newer generation moments and was fully expecting to hate the new droid with the football for legs but I was so wrong. He was brilliant and had a lot of the silent qualities R2D2 provided in the original movies. Tons of fan service nostalgia moments and some genuinely laugh out loud moments and some heart wrenching moments.
The acting was spot on and Rey and Finn dynamic was brilliant. Seeing the detail of all the working parts for the Tie Fighters up close and the X-Wings showing some real agility and awesome combat. It was just great. The sense of scale to some of the scenes with crashed derelict empire star destroyers was astounding.
Loved it. Would place it up there after Empire Strikes back and New Hope in my books. Will Buy it when it comes out and enjoy it with a bunch of my friends round for pizza and beer.
When leaving the cinema there was definitely some mixed overheard opinions, some people saying "That was Fantastic" others "That was the worst Star Wars movie ever".
So its a bit of a marmite movie I suppose. One thing I would say is I avoided all trailers, all hype. Knew nothing about the movie or the actors. Just went in not really expecting anything. Maybe this is why I loved it so much more than the people who feel let down.
Doctor Who: The Big Bang (2010)
Love the ending to this episode
This episode has in my opinion one of the best emotional scenes for Doctor Who ever since the series returned in 2005. Rivalled only by the ending sequence for the regeneration of David Tennant.
It's the scene where the doctor is reminiscing to a sleeping Amy pond before he fades out existence, the dialogue sends a shiver down my spine every time I watch it. Mainly due to the delivery and time taken to deliver every word, I love it. I've often thought if there ever had to be a final ending episode for the Doctor then this scene would have been a good send off.
"The Doctor: (last words to sleeping Amelia Pond) It's funny, I thought, if you could hear me, I could hang on, somehow. Silly me. Silly old Doctor. When you wake up, you'll have a mum and dad, and you won't even remember me. Well, you'll remember me a little. I'll be a story in your head. But that's OK: we're all stories, in the end. "