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Reviews
NCIS: Sydney (2023)
So far not impressed
It's clear that none of the spin offs have the momentum the original has had over the years.
I hate the Australian cliche stuff, people Australia is like any other developed country not a landmark or cbd.
This spin off confuses me because the US marines do rotations through Australia but not Sydney, I didn't think the US had a fleet presence in Australia so it just doesn't make sense how they will make this work unless they intend to have drunken sailor brawls from the us navy visits that don't happen. It probably would have been better off being called NCIS Australia because most defence operations in Australia don't happen in SYDNEY!!
This just seems like a government tourism advertisement rather than a procedural like the ncis original.
Also bud is made in Australia not the USA for our market so just promote Australian product at least.
This needs plenty of work and to have the longevity of the original and the following it's very hard to replicate the results because the casting was right on with the original.
Also of all the place in Australia the guy is from Gumly Gumly why would you pick that place between Wagga and forest hill on the Sturt hwy? Most boring place in the world.
Lost me.
The Peripheral (2022)
Concerning
Firstly, shocked something worth watching has appeared on Amazon Prime video the peripheral brings much welcomed addition.
Did I like the peripheral straight off, simply no, why because it did not give much away and not being familiar with the novels it was slightly off putting to me.
Although I feel aspects of the peripheral are somewhat redundant now, I suspect the pieces will slowly come together as the series progresses into another season.
This is series does open up as you move through and feel there is a moral to the story but I'm feeling it may be time to read the books to gain further context and I can be put out of my misery trying to work out what is going to happen.
Whomever casted this series did a really great job for the most part, I've enjoyed Mortez in other films and I've always felt that she has a warmth/sincerity to her work but the best part is incredibly professional in she is not someone we constantly hear about in the media.
I have not seen or heard of Alexandra Billings before and hand over heart her portrayal of lowbeer was brilliant, she nailed it! Lowbeer embodies what you would expect of a senior police officer, calm, direct and puts the fear of god into anyone. You see hints of a softer person behind the thick outer layer which gives that element of humanity in a character but also a really good actor.
What I am really alluding too is give the peripheral a go, Mortez and Billings do a great job and the show improves with the entrance of lowbeer.
Cons:
It can be a little bit confusing or frustrating when you attempt to connect the back story of picket and what relevance the wife of pocket had except to be a catalyst for a reaction from another character but then you are back at why? How is this relevant to the story, but you also then think ok so there must be a reason that connects later, then I just went back to im obviously not seeing the point.
I was not a fan of the dog scene this I felt was not great and yes I know it is tv but I still do not like seeing depictions of harm to animals. In someways I think it was a clever design to give us a plausible action to aid in the story line but still not something I liked.
In conclusion.
I love Billings character and she just absolutely nails it in every way, the character lowbeer is what kept me watching the peripheral.
In every facet of my life I take everyone as they come I do not engage in opinions, since watching the peripheral I have watched a couple of interviews with Billings and Mortez both seem like genuinely professional decent human beings which comes through, nothing seems forced.
Let's hope they do make another series and in the mean time I feel book reading my occur.
Alexandra Billings 👍 so much depth.
Shadow in the Cloud (2020)
Different but not terrible
I think this is harshly reviewed & although it may not the best movies are subjective (people need to dislodge their preconceived notions or expectations and review on its merits alone). Why I'm writing this is to say have a look and give how this film made me feel and a few take aways.
Movies can take several viewings to fully appreciate and this film I watched twice because I felt there was more!
It's a fictional story using history as the foundation to create a film! Not going to tear the film apart but it the way the movie is shot makes me think of the Avengers ( can't explain this but this is instinctive a feel ).
This film honestly felt very of Thai might be interesting, then why aren't I watching something else, oh god and Oh!
I feel that I've got this wrong but it almost comes across like a dream (nightmare) but the credits with the women that served in WW2 and little things in the dialogue hit home giving this movie an obviously fictional hit with a moral built in which I appreciated and frankly is still a problem today.
Look point I'm making give this a look and fair assessment you may hate it you may not but it reminded me of a few things like how under appreciated women were and in most cases are in the military machine to which they worked harder than most men ever did or have! (First hand I've trained with some of the hardest women that were my brilliant soldiers) while being mum's!
This film also got me reading and dear lord how bad a marriage would have to be in order to jump on a B-17 let alone in turret (ball) seconds these people averaged surviving in combat.
Again give it a look it really is odd but it's different which isn't bad!! I like that it's not some he man movie but the 'gremlin' to me seems like a complete Herbert the pervert.
I truly believe the credits bring a seemingly bizarre movie into perspective.
Mortez I read is claustrophobic! Speery(ball) turret must have been hell even in a mock up!
If anything it is a tribute to all that flew and fly they were/are better, braver people than we give them credit (hence why I stayed out of planes).
Also defence pushes you long hours no sleep and you do see/hear things after a few days or no sleep in the night! Honestly it wasn't a pervert gremlin but anything is possible.
I acknowledge this movie is not factual but what these people did wasn't and also is refreshing to see a female lead showing how invaluable but disrespected women were and are in the military.
Rant over again.
No Time to Die (2021)
Very conflicted upon leaving the cinema
The movie was incredibly emotive and believe able chemistry between Craig's bond and Seydoux's character. I left asking had I just spent nearly 3 hrs watching another instalment of the bond franchise, or something else and simply this was not what one would consider a typical bond film.
Without ranting and dissecting the film completely it was too long but not terrible in its own right, the intent seems to be a full circle approach (if it was intentional or not I felt there were plenty of parallels with 'on her majesties secret service' just with better execution (we all know the love felt in that movie).
This bond is one that everyone is going to feel something different but if you are a purist bond fan this film is probably going to leave you a bit unfulfilled as Bond has become a victim of the times in so many ways.
Personally, the writing was on the wall and just waiting for the axe to fall was quite sad which again isn't what you expect from a bond movie.
I think a wise person would leave the story here let bond rest without further dilution of the character.
It was a very long movie, very sad and regardless bond has ended for me.
The seconds before the end were a little cruel it gave hope, I never ever thought I'd shed a tear in a James Bond film.
I would recommend seeing this movie but you've just got to be prepared for less James Bond style gentleman spy film.
A West Wing Special to Benefit When We All Vote (2020)
Democrat focus
The series was a staple growing up and this series has previously tacked current political issues (I know the name but out of respect I would rather speak ambiguously than mis spell the episode name).
Years have past and honestly the performances are still spot on, Martin Sheen might have been a good candidate.
This was good in respect to re kindling a relationship with the characters of times past but I felt this was without signage a pro Democrat push, I could be wrong but the way actors were scripted anti trump also having no republican representation didn't help this claim.
It's worth a watch if you liked the series, Martin Sheen just nails that role as they all did and in that alone it's worth a watch.
I'm not from the USA and I only look at this unbiased so represent my own opinion of the stimuli.