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House of the Dragon (2022)
A great story stretched out over too many seasons, without any payoff at the end.
We more or less know the story from Martins other works, so this is a moment where they have the opportunity to give the audience an emotional investment in the history of Martins universe, and also let us know more of the wonders of the world he has created. Alas, the writers use to much time on the slow drip drama of those who want war and those who want to prevent it. In itself there is so much drama and tension in a dynamic such as this, but they have failed to create characters that we root for and want to see more of, or the delightfully wicked characters that intrigue with their double loyalties and scheming, so the show lacks a personal interest angle that so uplifted the got series. As an example, we are often told about the plight of the small folk in this show, but when the small folk are on the screen we get an almost patronizing view of moments in their life. We aren't invested, because the show does not give us enough time to see the life of the small folks as similar to our own. The nobles who would sacrifice them to gain glory and renown are much closer to us, as we see their lives more fully. Simple grips could be made to see a more nuanced picture of the plight of ordinary people in a world that is based on our own true history, if seasoned with some added mysteries and wonders.
As a story I'd much rather learn more of the gods wood, and the time before the night king was made. I'd love to know the reason the dragon riders are so imperative to hold balance in this world, and I'd also love to see the way events turned into legends and then forgotten. Mostly, I'd like to see the real lives of the small folk who make up the lands that are fought over by the lords on their beast, rather than be told that they live terrible lives.
There is so much that could be done with this material, but I find the show ever lacking. That said, I'd rate it better than most shows made by the corporate elite entertainment machine.
Halo (2022)
Great start to a series
After first season: As a non-gamer I was quite surprised by the plot, and thought i might take up gaming as I found it rich and interesting (but comments on here dissuaded that notion, as they purportedly have no relationship). Yes, there are tropes of the genre in this show, but as someone who enjoy sci-fi I don't mind it, I actually enjoy the hero's journey model in a show.
The unfolding storyline of master chiefs humanity I thought was great. The backstory of the Spartans, and the charming and alarming villain was good, it has some complexity, secrets and crime, and I thought it was nicely paced across the nine episodes of the first season. I like the arc of Kwan and the rebel planet, can't wait to discover the rest of that story.
The pacing of this show was good, I did not find any episode long winded. The action and cgi is based on the game format, and it shows, but I never lost interest as a result of some level of clunk. As a person who've never played this game I often thought that action sequences must be closely based on the in-game vantage point, but I didn't mind it.
All in all, if you like sci-fi this is a solid show, and I would recommend.
Faraway Downs (2023)
Beautiful
The story is darling, the scenery is breathtaking, and it should make for an epic retelling of a grand story. Alas, there is so much that disturbed from the story, and it makes for a lesser experience than the movie it's based on.
The score is terrible
There is cgi and fakery in to many scenes, and coupled with the score it dispels the suspension of disbelief and renders the viewer outside the plot.
The acting is generally good, but there are elements of over dramatization that causes the same effect. You want to love the story, but in some ways the cgi on Nicole's face, the disturbing score and the cgi and faked scenery (only on occasion) brings you out of the story and feels disturbing, somehow.
The story seems stretched to fit the format.
All in all, I'd recommend the movie (Australia ) over the show.
Rebel Moon - Part One: A Child of Fire (2023)
A strong five
This is a start to something, very obviously an assemble movie, where we're introduced to a world that is similar to other sci-fi stories we all know. It's a dystopian future, the many worlds of the universe have fallen to savagery under the strong thumb of mother world, ruled by a despot after the death of the king. A princess should be the heir, but her faith we don't yet know. A warrior has abdicated her post in the army of motherworld, and has found a new life as a simple farmer on a planet that has not yet been marred by the savagery of war, but as a warrior ship descend on the planet, she has to find others to help defend the village she has learned to call home.
It's a strong five as I think the bones of the story is good, this might become a series worthwhile watching if the characters are more fleshed out, and the world becomes more defined.
You People (2023)
Being the problem not the solution
I laughed during the first act of this movie, some jokes landed, and the podcast clip that plays in the start I could listen to for sure.
In this movie Jonah Hill and Lauren London fall in love, and become the unlikely couple consisting of a muslim black woman and a white Jewish man! CAN YOU IMAGINE! Just imagine the controversy when they introduce their partners to their parents! Hilarity ensues, as we get golden nuggets like "black and white people can never be cool", and other totally fine statements -when expressed by a black person.
The plot revolves around the difficulty of navigating Jonah's mom, Julia Louise Dreyfus, and Lauren's dad, Eddie Murphy. Eddie plays and openly racist father, and Julia an ignorant white woman - because she is clumsy and tries to hard, because she's exited that her family will become multi racial. Can you believe how terrible she is? It is however really funny when Eddie takes his soon to be son in law to a crips barber, when he's dressed in a red (blood) hoodie, and then proceeds to say he does not know him. It's so funny when your in-laws puts you in harms way.
This piece of woke filmmaking is the reason we can't get along. Is shows us how shallow characters navigate the pitfalls of cultural and racial tensions in America and gives no pushback to the insanity of a dialogue where people have no curiosity and interest in understanding the humanity of the people who will become their family. But hey, it all works out in the end, so I guess thats growth.
In this climate we are supposed to think in sound bites, and never think about the consequences of our ignorant stances. This movie have characters that consist of a series of sound bites, and we are supposed to believe that in the end these echo chambers can coexist without there being any attempts to bridge the gap and reach any shared humanity. It's an insult, and I think it's a problem.
Ancient Apocalypse (2022)
An interesting theory
Hancock leads us on a nice and tidy path of his research and field of interest during the past decades, and gives us an compelling theory of lost civilizations due to global cataclysm.
Critics of this documentary series seem to dislike Hancock for his rejection of consensus in fields like archeology and geology, or dislike Hancock for being arrogant and bitter (in rather arrogant and bitter wording themselves).
Personally I find the theory well substantiated, enough to warrant more interest and research. I'm filled with a burning desire to see more of the submerged structures, and to excavate areas that have only been found via LiDAR scanning.
If you'd like to dip your toe into some groundbreaking theories relating to ancient civilizations, and the possible reasons for so little remaining for us to find, this is an excellent start.
Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)
A beautiful thing I discovered
While reading others reviews, is that we perhaps saw different things, but still this story seems to have opened many hearts, like it did mine. Absurdly funny and transcending, hope you'll rewatch it sometime if it did not land on first viewing. "Be kind, especially when you don't know what's happening".
Other words about things: taxes, family, friendship, inherited brokenness, family bonds, transcending pain, transcending nihilism. Googly eyes, above all. Kindness above all, love as the tool to wield against aggression, never seen it so sweetly expressed, although the concept is not new. Sausages. It's a wild ride, and gives so much to reflect upon.
Blonde (2022)
A beautiful travesty
Blonde is a cinematically beautiful film, using interesting cinematic techniques, employing an masterful score and boots a stellar acting performance from its lead, Ana DeArmas.
Midway, I thought it was a riveting movie, where the darkness of the male otherizing of a woman who was vulnerable, intelligent and powerful was made poignant.
Towards the end it felt more like another exploitation of an woman who is an historical person, and who, in her lifetime, was marred by the same exploitation that this movie engages in. It leaves a sour taste to have seen this movie.
If this movie had not invoked the attention that follows Marilyn Monroe also posthumously, then it could have been an decent film. But the ugly exploitation leaves it only deserving two stars. Both are Ana's alone, as she is stellar in the role of another exploitation of Marilyn Monroe.
Promising Young Woman (2020)
Most women internalize trauma
And with that women carry the burden for every wrongdoing. It's a burden of society that makes us this way, because angry and terrifying women have no place in polite society.
It's very refreshing to see a depiction of a woman who deals out the blame and rage and revenge on deserving individuals.
The movie has quite original attributes, the saturation of the scenes, choice of music, the storyline, dialogue, it's an refreshing movie on many levels.
I highly recommend this movie!
Jeen-yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy (2022)
For all his flaws
For all his flaws Kanye is an interesting individual. This is Coodies love letter to a friend, turned icon. By sheer force of will he created himself in the image of the greatest men who have lived, and Coodie was along for the ride to capture the humanity of it all. It's a very moving documentary. Because of Coodies heart and friendship, you feel the intensity of being present but not reaching the man who would be king in the last film. It's very impactful, heartful and beautiful, no matter of your a fan of the individual in front of the camera or not.
After Life (2019)
After the finale
Heartbreakingly beautiful, rude and funny. A beautiful love story to a bunch of "ordinary" people, and their hilarious, quirky, lonely and desperate existence. Recommended!
The Last Duel (2021)
Outstanding
This is a great film that brings to light many contemporary problems in light of history. There is nothing new under the sun.
The use of the Rashomon narrative structure is well suited to illuminate the issue, and well applied to his film, where every character brings their own quality to the narrative.
Stellar performances from the three leads, especially Jodie Comers portrait of lady Marguerite in the last chapter, which I found the most compelling part of the storyline.
I enjoy battle portrayed realistically and brutal, but would advise parents considering this that it's a heavy and difficult subject matter, and very brutal battle scenes.
Taken (2008)
Neeson spends 96 hours indifferent to human suffering
Our "hero" has neglected his family for approximately 17 years, and now wants to make amends by moving close to his daughter and ex wife and being overly protective. His daughter then goes to Paris, and is taken within 24 hours. Luckily she is on the phone with her father, and he is able to get enough information to start the quest for those who have taken her. He then frequent many establishment who forcibly have taken other daughters, drugged them, and raped them. He mostly just wades in the evil, searching for his daughter with laser focus.
The perspective of the viewer is however warped by the indifference to the evil and unimaginable suffering of every body in the movie. Only his daughter is worthy of saving, even her friend is found dead by forced overdose without any consequence. The movie is shallow and dark, in a way that does nothing but exploit the suffering of real life trafficking victims. It's a painful watch, and the " hero" seems as inhuman as the villains by the end.
Don't Look Up (2021)
Substitute comet with climate change
And it's not so satirical after all.
Highly recommend.
Words are needed to fill out the review. I'm with cap, it's so much divisiveness, when complicated issues are boiled down to things to wear on a button. We should do better. Watch the damn thing. Merry Christmas 🎄
City of Lies (2018)
important movie, great acting
If you're wondering, yes, you should take the time to watch this movie.
It's a real travesty that the two most influential rappers of the nineties can be gunned down on the streets and still, 30 years later, we still have open cases on both. The investigation portrayed in this movie is solid, compelling and should be addressed in the judicial system.
Giving 10/10 for importance and the stellar placating of the two leading men. Very compelling!
Uncut Gems (2019)
Jarring and uncomfortable
Simply 10/10 performance from Sandler in this movie, and a very trippy experience to watch his unhinged day-to-day in hopes of making it big. It's very anxiety inducing, so mind that if your considering watching it.
An Evening with Beverly Luff Linn (2018)
So bizzarre, most of the time
If you like bizzare things I'll recommend this movie. I was lowkey disappointed that there was some sense to it all, after being so strange and unusual for most of the movie. I was mesmerized. If you loved lady dynamite, give this a try ( or alternately; if you loved this, give lady dynamite a try).
The Suicide Squad (2021)
Irreverent, unpredictable, extremely gory funtime!
I highly recommend this movie, as it's providing a very different quality than other recent movies based on the dc universe. They chose to feature some very zany villains this time, and it really works! The drama is perfectly placed to give brakes in the unhinged storyline. There are colorful ten story monsters, and a well placed fu to imperialism and those who don't support whistleblowers. All in all, a great achievement from Gunn and a cast of stellar actors. I'd be amiss I did not mention the excessive gore, though. Pass if you're squeamish!
Dave Chappelle: The Closer (2021)
Dave takes it to a new level
This show is a eulogy to comedy as we know it. It's rage against a climate of presumptive guilt, that is inhumane and devaluating the humanity of everybody that's not in the ingroup. It's a hard thing to do as a comedian, cause standing up to the madness of crowds is serious business. Thankfully Chapelle is a master, and his careful journey from starting hard, and winding up taking all of us down is done heartfully. He's serious, and it's not funny, but that's what's called for. This is for those of us willing to listen. Salutations to Dave.
We Are Lady Parts (2021)
Unique, funny and inspiring
All round winner. Stellar performances from the cast, funny, engaging, and genuinely heartwarming! Plus for top notch punk, and the extravagaza that is Amina.
The Old Guard (2020)
Sub par execution of great material
It was the melodramatic script that made this movie so much less than it could be. The premise is badass, a group of immortals band together to protect themselves from prosecution, and to save people from evil that would befall them. Add to the mix a bad guy who would keep them to himself in order to uncover the mysteries of their immortality in order to profit.
The script is unfortunately marred with melodrama, lack of backstory, no budget for special effects, and terrible music! I think this could have been a great series, delving deep into the history and motivation of the old guard, but alas, this a really sub par execution of a great premise.
If you are debating wether to give it a try, I'd advise no.
Willy's Wonderland (2021)
Stupid!
A very stupid movie. I wish it was only Cage fighting with animatronics for the duration of the flick, but alas, there is more, and that more is not enjoyable. All things regarding Cage, and the Cage vs fluffy homicidal animatronics in this movie is superb, it's exactly as weird as you think it might be, and then dial that to 11. 11/10 for Cage, but we end up at 6/10, all things considered. You do the math!
Gunpowder Milkshake (2021)
Not original, but good entertainment.
This is a film for those of us who like action packed gory films. It's nothing we haven't seen before, but a solid film in the veins of Tarantino's kill bill, and John wick. You won't be surprised at any moment, cause you have seen it before. But if your like me you enjoy that sort of thing. Better plot wise than some other vengeance movies, great pacing, and with stellar performances from the starring cast. What's not to like?
Feel Good (2020)
Great show
Mae writes beautifully and funny about heavy subjects, and is a great actor to boot. This show is not exactly "feel good", but rather rife with dark humor and a critique of identity politics, while eloquently tackling subjects like discovering ones own sexuality, and tackling codependency, drug abuse and trauma. I think this is a brilliant mixture of heavy and dark themes, with fun and bizarre elements, so that there is some levity. Great show, highly recommended!
Awake (2021)
Some people point to plot holes that aren't there.
I've scanned the reviews, and many pint to plot holes that are things that are literally directly addressed in the movie, for instance that the effects of sleep deprivation was more severe early on, and so the population would experience adverse effects sooner than usual . It occurs to me that many of these reviews are written by people who only half watched the movie, but still want to give their opinion.
From a person who actually watched the movie, I'd say it was pretty-pretty-pretty good. The actors are portraying their unique circumstances very well, the plot is solid, there is gore and situations that will make you jump in your seat. The motivations of the characters are well played out, and the unique premise makes for good entertainment. 7/10 stars, well worth the watch!