Despite presenting a handful of great ideas, such as the revivification of Davros following Genesis of the Daleks, a stalemate war between two machine races, and Romana's inexplicable regeneration, Destiny of the Daleks has always been among my least favourite Dalek stories. It begins well, with the Doctor and Romana sharing an amusing rapport and K9 having laryngitis, but the execution of the rest of the story leaves a lot to be desired. It ends up feeling like a self-conscious parody, no doubt a symptom of the pop culture joke the Daleks had become by this point, opting to go for cheap gags and slapstick in place of intrigue or tension. Furthermore, the Movellans look plain ridiculous, some of the direction is laughable (the way falls to the ground in confusion is hilarious), and David Gooderson's stand-in for Michael Wisher's Davros is underwhelming at best. An interesting story, in spite of itself.
Reviews
19 Reviews
X-Men
(2011)
Hardly Groundbreaking but Solid
7 August 2022
Surprisingly solid, especially after the severely underwhelming Wolverine anime. It's hardly breaking new ground and there's nothing especially new or original here, but it's solidly realized and feels true to the characters. It takes bits from the Dark Phoenix saga and The Brood, as well as others. Worth watching for what it is.
Wolverine and the X-Men
(2008–2009)
Great, consistent animated series
5 August 2022
Excellent animated series. It's a shame it didn't get a second season. It's much sturdier and more consistent than X-Men: Evolution and almost as good as the 90s series. The cast is great, the animation looks sharp, and there are some engaging story and character arcs, particularly Magneto, Gambit, Nightcrawler, etc.
X-Men: Evolution
(2000–2003)
Uneven, though ultimately rather good
5 August 2022
The teen drama element can be initially off-putting and the series is certainly a lot more uneven than the 90s animated series, but Evolution picks up as it goes along and ends up being quite likable. It's a different take on style and characters, some of it works and some of it doesn't. The theme tune feels very dated and there are definitely some weak episodes, but the cast is solid, particularly the villains, and the show becomes much more consistent and engaging after the first season.
Fantastic Four: The Animated Series
(1994–1996)
Gets off to a very rough start, but picks up
5 August 2022
The first season, particularly the initial episodes, are real rough in animation, writing, and acting, but it picks up as it goes along. The Silver Surfer episodes are good and the second season is a vast improvement.
Wolverine
(2011)
Underwhelming and off-the-mark
5 August 2022
Wolverine as anime should work, especially given the character's frequent occasion with Japan, but this series really misses the mark. There's a lack of excitement or originality, though there are moments of decent action, but the voice-actor for Wolverine is the real problem. He feels woefully miscast and nothing at all like the character should sound. Why didn't they just get Steve Blum? Unfortunately, the series just really doesn't work.
Iron Fist
(2017–2018)
A plodding, unfocused bore
5 August 2022
After Daredevil, Jessica Jones, and Luke Cage, this is a very underwhelming series. There's a lack of momentum that makes the series feel interminable and unfocused, the script is filled with clichés and flat, uninteresting characters, and the lead really doesn't inspire much excitement or intrigue. It's essentially the meandering adventures of a dopey billionaire that does a bit of kung-fu. Not enough pace, not enough action, and not enough to make it worth sitting through. Season 2 is meant to be better, though I'm feeling very little inspiration to watch it.
The Defenders
(2017)
Fun, engaging team-up series
5 August 2022
The fruits of Netflix's four Marvel series' come together quite nicely in this fun, playful team-up series that takes the Defenders name and makes a pretty engaging team out of it. It's a bit daft sometimes, particularly with the whole Elektra revivification arc, but it's enjoyable seeing the various heroes interact and the 8 episodes give it a lean structure and a nice pace. It does a decent job redeeming Iron Fist after his underwhelming first season. He's more likable and exciting here. Gives me hope that his second season might be worth watching.
Luke Cage
(2016–2018)
Great performances are the highlight of this solid series
5 August 2022
The show isn't without its flaws. There are elements of the script that feel slightly generic, cliched, unfocused, or heavy-handed, but the sheer strength of the performances, particularly Mahershala Ali's Cottonmouth and Alfre Woodard's Mariah, as well as Luke Cage himself and Rosario Dawson's Claire, keep the show engaging even when it occasionally stumbles. There's some solid action, too, and a quality rendition of Luke Cage's origin story.
Daredevil
(2015–2018)
Still the best of Marvel's Netflix output
5 August 2022
Marvel's first Netflix outing is still their best. A strong character/legal drama with a likable cast and reliable writing. A great interpretation of Daredevil, with a very well-cast lead, a superb villain in Kingpin, and some pretty nice fight choreography. The gritty darkness of Daredevil's Hell's Kitchen is a nice change of pace from the playfulness of the MCU, definitely feels inspired by Nolan's Batman films.
Loki
(2021–2023)
Not bad, but too cute for its own good
5 August 2022
There are interesting ideas and a strong cast, but it's ultimately buried by too much humour, levity that constantly undermines the stakes, and what feels like a complete u-turn on the characterisation of Loki. He's not a sly, conniving villain anymore, he's handsome, charming Tom Hiddleston. I like Hiddleston, he's a very good actor, but this whole series felt like it really wanted to make Loki into a lovable, redeeming guy. The romantic element is obvious and way too cute.
Moon Knight
(2022)
Solid, Engaging, and Unique
5 August 2022
Great cast and compelling storytelling with slick editing and some nice cinematography. Oscar Isaac is terrific. Though his English accent is definitely a bit Charles Dickens, he plays the two sides of the Marc/Steven character really well. They absolutely feel like two separate people. Ethan Hawke is also great, as always, and there's some really creative stuff throughout. There are some questionable effects, but it's an ambitious series so it's easy to look past. My only disappointment was the final episode, which ultimately came down to a typically smashy-crashy Marvel CG fest that felt far more generic than what led up to it.
A fantastic science fiction story brings in the brilliant change of pace the show needed
4 May 2020
Wonderful story that can really be called Tom Baker's first adventure. Strong supporting cast, terrific set design, and a return to the rather extraordinary science fiction ideas that were more prevalent in the 60's.
The blatant use of bubble wrap may seem hilarious now, but it simply highlights how recent and unknown the invention was at the time.
The blatant use of bubble wrap may seem hilarious now, but it simply highlights how recent and unknown the invention was at the time.
Wonderful first episode followed by a familiar, unoriginal Pertwee-UNIT romp
4 May 2020
Tom Baker goes all-out excitedly demonstrating why he belongs in the role, with perhaps the silliest, most gleefully anticipatory post-regeneration performance in the show's history.
Sadly, the rest of Baker's first story is a fantastically bland reminder of just how tired the Doctor's Earth-bound, UNIT-centric stories had become and why the show's forthcoming paradigm shift was so essential for the renewed excitement of Baker's reign.
Sadly, the rest of Baker's first story is a fantastically bland reminder of just how tired the Doctor's Earth-bound, UNIT-centric stories had become and why the show's forthcoming paradigm shift was so essential for the renewed excitement of Baker's reign.
Solid yet familiar story straight from the pile of unproduced Pertwee scripts
4 May 2020
Baker and Sladen get a great deal of terrific moments and there are compelling ideas here, but it feels like an unproduced Pertwee story with some very familiar ideas (fits nicely on the long list of stories that reveal the untrusting technophobia of the time). It's quite a bit like Don Siegel's Invasion of the Body Snatchers transposed to a small English village in places.
It's Such a Beautiful Day
(2012)
A powerful and deeply thoughtful story of a man slowing losing his mind.
7 February 2017
An intense and beautiful take on mental health that deals with its subject matter with tact and respect. In a world where mental health in film is so often overly-trivialised or simply ignored, it's refreshing to see a piece that accurately represents the everyday anxiety and uncertainty that comes with such problems.
More specifically, however, it's a very tragic story of protagonist Bill slowly losing his grip on reality. As such the film is presented in a manner that often feels like the unfocused ramblings of a man lost in his own thoughts. Bill regales us with memories within memories, memories that are perhaps inaccurate and memories that may even be entirely fabricated. The way the unreliable narrator method of storytelling is used throughout is extremely effective, and although it may feel a little confusing or disjointed at times it all comes together wonderfully in a way that feels thoughtful and very well-considered.
An incredibly unique piece of art that any amount of description can't really do justice. One of my favourite things to sit down and watch whenever I'm feeling down or uncertain or if I simply want to get lost in thought. Guaranteed to leave a lasting impact if given the time and attention it deserves.
More specifically, however, it's a very tragic story of protagonist Bill slowly losing his grip on reality. As such the film is presented in a manner that often feels like the unfocused ramblings of a man lost in his own thoughts. Bill regales us with memories within memories, memories that are perhaps inaccurate and memories that may even be entirely fabricated. The way the unreliable narrator method of storytelling is used throughout is extremely effective, and although it may feel a little confusing or disjointed at times it all comes together wonderfully in a way that feels thoughtful and very well-considered.
An incredibly unique piece of art that any amount of description can't really do justice. One of my favourite things to sit down and watch whenever I'm feeling down or uncertain or if I simply want to get lost in thought. Guaranteed to leave a lasting impact if given the time and attention it deserves.
Band of Brothers
(2001)
Absolutely brilliant depiction of real soldiers in World War 2. Gritty, realistic and powerful.
7 February 2017
Possibly the single best World War 2 film/TV show of all time. Makes "Saving Private Ryan" seem like the tamest Pixar kids movie. An absolute must-watch for anyone with even the slightest interest in the Second World War, and even incredibly enjoyable if you typically aren't into WW2 stuff.
Stories of the war presented by actual soldiers of the war, on which the characters are based. The real-life/-real-soldiers aspect of it is handled delicately and respectfully, with a good balance of recognising the heroism and bravery of those who fought in WW2 whilst also making the endless horrors of war abundantly clear. A difficult task to undertake, and one that most War fiction struggle with, but one that is masterfully handled.
Furthermore, I really appreciate the way that Band of Brothers does not simply paint the Allies as the clear-cut "good guys" nor does it show the Axis forces as being "bad" or "evil" in black-and-white terms. It recognises that the soldiers fighting on both sides were not simply good or bad but were people fighting for largely uncertain reasons, and that the experiences of the war were equally as brutal and awful for both sides.
If you haven't seen it already you should. It's 10-hours long and every minute feels completely essential. Starts a little slow but once it gets going it is truly amazing. Fantastic stuff.
Stories of the war presented by actual soldiers of the war, on which the characters are based. The real-life/-real-soldiers aspect of it is handled delicately and respectfully, with a good balance of recognising the heroism and bravery of those who fought in WW2 whilst also making the endless horrors of war abundantly clear. A difficult task to undertake, and one that most War fiction struggle with, but one that is masterfully handled.
Furthermore, I really appreciate the way that Band of Brothers does not simply paint the Allies as the clear-cut "good guys" nor does it show the Axis forces as being "bad" or "evil" in black-and-white terms. It recognises that the soldiers fighting on both sides were not simply good or bad but were people fighting for largely uncertain reasons, and that the experiences of the war were equally as brutal and awful for both sides.
If you haven't seen it already you should. It's 10-hours long and every minute feels completely essential. Starts a little slow but once it gets going it is truly amazing. Fantastic stuff.
Elephant
(2003)
An exploitative and overly-simplified take on an awful and tragic event.
7 February 2017
A film that lacks the depth and tact to handle its very sensitive subject matter with the sort of respect it deserves. It fails to offer a fresh take on the incident and feels like it is simply using its high profile to create shock for shock's sake.
Furthermore, the gross simplification of the idea that media and art can create violent tendencies in young people (an idea that was heavily debated at the time) is presented with possibly the single worst fake- video-game-in-a-film I have ever seen. In a scene where one of the shooters is playing a fake first-person-shooter game that looks like it was made in less than 20 minutes using MS Paint and the most basic 3D animating tool and is never expanded upon. This theme of media influence comes up once more throughout the film, where the shooters are seen watching and being seemingly engrossed by a documentary about Adolf Hitler and the power of propaganda in Nazi Germany. I can only assume this scene was intended to show that the school shooters were obsessed with Hitler and the Nazis, presumably meant to be shocking but in a way that came off as "oh, these kids are interested in the Nazis? Well, no wonder they would be capable of a thing like this".
I'm generally a fan of Gus Van Sant's films but Elephant filled me with disgust and disappointment. I expected a more tactfully-considered and respectfully handled piece from a director whose work I typically find to be unique and thought-provoking. Instead I got voyeuristic and ill- conceived trash with forced shock value and an undeserved weight garnered only by the notoriety of the Columbine school-shooting.
Furthermore, the gross simplification of the idea that media and art can create violent tendencies in young people (an idea that was heavily debated at the time) is presented with possibly the single worst fake- video-game-in-a-film I have ever seen. In a scene where one of the shooters is playing a fake first-person-shooter game that looks like it was made in less than 20 minutes using MS Paint and the most basic 3D animating tool and is never expanded upon. This theme of media influence comes up once more throughout the film, where the shooters are seen watching and being seemingly engrossed by a documentary about Adolf Hitler and the power of propaganda in Nazi Germany. I can only assume this scene was intended to show that the school shooters were obsessed with Hitler and the Nazis, presumably meant to be shocking but in a way that came off as "oh, these kids are interested in the Nazis? Well, no wonder they would be capable of a thing like this".
I'm generally a fan of Gus Van Sant's films but Elephant filled me with disgust and disappointment. I expected a more tactfully-considered and respectfully handled piece from a director whose work I typically find to be unique and thought-provoking. Instead I got voyeuristic and ill- conceived trash with forced shock value and an undeserved weight garnered only by the notoriety of the Columbine school-shooting.
Last Days
(2005)
A sombre and accurate portrayal of isolation and abject misery but a largely dull and uneventful film
7 February 2017
Although this film is very much intended to be based of off the "Final Days" of Nirvana front-man Kurt Cobain, its strengths lie in the haunting and relentless misery of protagonist Blake.
The fact that Blake is intended to be a pretty direct allegory for Cobain is largely irrelevant to the mood and feel of the film. You could go into this film not even knowing who Cobain was and it wouldn't change your experience with it. Blake is a very depressed musician on his last legs who has pretty much entirely given up on life. That's all you really need to know. Although there are references to Cobain life and death, they feel mostly superfluous and don't really add anything to the film.
Final Day is ultimately a film successful in its understanding and presentation of depression and isolation but not as a film depicting the last days of Kurt Cobain. You will be disappointed if you go into this film expecting a good Cobain/Nirvana film.
The fact that Blake is intended to be a pretty direct allegory for Cobain is largely irrelevant to the mood and feel of the film. You could go into this film not even knowing who Cobain was and it wouldn't change your experience with it. Blake is a very depressed musician on his last legs who has pretty much entirely given up on life. That's all you really need to know. Although there are references to Cobain life and death, they feel mostly superfluous and don't really add anything to the film.
Final Day is ultimately a film successful in its understanding and presentation of depression and isolation but not as a film depicting the last days of Kurt Cobain. You will be disappointed if you go into this film expecting a good Cobain/Nirvana film.
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