gary-kramer Reviews

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023)

What a disappointment

[3/10 · 9 March 2024]

Inconsistent acting varying from melodramatic to good to inadequate.

Soundtrack inconsistent varying from excellent to pathetic including ruining an excellent son (hanging tree).

Story very contrived and didn't make sense in some places.

The capital scenes did not meet expectations and seemed very budget dependent. The lack of technology seemed to be a film budget dependent. It was a cheap film not worthy of the Hunger Games universe.

Over use of "trust me" all throughout and really very inappropriate.

I am grateful that I saw this for free. I would have felt cheated if I had either bought the DVD or seen it in the theater.

If this was an attempt at a reboot then it did not make sense. The backstory was very flimsy.

Save time. Avoid the film.

The Banshees of Inisherin (2022)

Not funny. Very sad and upsetting

[6/10 · 4 October 2023]

Not the film I was expecting. It's not a sequel to In Bruges

The acting, scenery and photography is superb

The story, however, is hard to swallow. Two central themes bothered me a lot. A man cutting of his fingers from one hand because he didn't want another man, a previous friend, talking to him anymore. And the death of a donkey choking on one of those fingers. Both appalling plot points.

Surrounding sub plots don't make it any better. Yiu won't finish this film feeling good, or happy, or amused. Sadness was my overwhelming emotion, and a lack of understanding as the some of the character's' behavior.

Baby's Day Out (1994)

Truly awful but with some laughs

[1/10 · 3 September 2023]

Not remotely realistic in any way.

While some scenes are funny the film might better have been served as an animated cartoon.

One can think of the baby as the Road Runner and the three kidnappers as three Coyotes because that's how the action scenes play out

The acting is truly awful and wooden in many places

Some of the scenes are interesting from the point of view of figuring out how they got the baby to do what the story required and where they used some special effects

This is not a film worth going to the theater for, buying the DVD or renting.

Watch it on tv if you must

We did not finish it. Too ridiculous.

Patriot (2015–2018)

Want something done well, do it yourself

[5/10 · 31 July 2023]

One hopes it was written as a dark comedy. It certainly gave me some laughs in various places. It also dragged in other places.

The jumbled timeline was hard to follow in different episodes, and an all linear story might have been better, although it was interesting to see how different things intersected and their origins were explained in the jumbled timeline, so it made it more interesting .

The hero of program is a dud. Effective at some things, a complete dud at others. His boss needs something done and ends up with a trio of misfits when he should have done it himself.

We decided to finish the series, but it took three episodes before we committed.

Season 2 was far worse than season 1. Too many slow spots. Could have told season 2 in half the number of episodes.

Would we watch it again. Definitely not.

Russian Doll (2019–2022)

Possibly one of the worst things I've watched in decades

[1/10 · 9 July 2023]

Just nasty. My wife and I gave up half way through the first episode. Quality was just not there. Very disappointing that a programme of such poor quality made it onto Netflix.

The time loop story did nothing to save the crass acting/script. There was nothing interesting about the characters and it was a relief to turn off the programme.

Other reviews indicate that the series improved after a couple of episodes but then the second season takes a nosedive. We were simply not interested in investing the time in the hope that something might improve, especially when there's so many other programmes of quality to take its place.

Lego Masters Australia (2019– )

Over sensational and time wasting

[3/10 · 12 April 2023]

The editing is horrible and it deceives the viewer on how long the people are standing there building. Showing the pieces that are constructed is poorly done. The contestants have to act like trained monkeys jumping up and down with excitement.

Contestant interviews are out of context and waste time.

The subplot of Hamish owing fifty dollars was pathetic and not nice at all.

The way the pieces are judged it's not at all clear. And the way the winners are announced is totally annoying.

The creativity is fantastic. The skill of the contestants is amazing. None of this gets sufficient coverage.

And the nonsense about building "the brick" is infantile.

The Midnight Sky (2020)

Clooney now firmly a B-list director

[5/10 · 4 March 2023]

Visually a very attractive film. The unfolding of the story left one wanting more answers, that never came.

The film had lots of promise but the more one thinks about it the stupider it gets

Problems

Hallucinatory girl The ice breaks and the shelter fell in?

Surviving in iced water Plane crash survivor Suicidal Aether crew Punctured space suit that doesn't lose air Super strong spaceship that suffers no punctures when hit by rocks The new Adam and Eve breeding inbred descendants.

Geography not compatible with location Same for the wolves.

Finished watching the film thinking "why did I watch it, it could have been so much better".

The problems lie with both the script and the director.

It seems that. Looney might be going the way of Bruce Willis. See a film with that name on it and move on to another choice. Time will tell.

The Magicians (2015–2020)

Great show, until season 5

[8/10 · 20 September 2022]

Season 1. Interesting with lots of neat concepts Season 2. Interesting Season 3. The best season Season 4. The logical ending for the series. Includes the huge mistake of killing of Q Season 5. Limps along without Q and ends leaving one in limbo

Other observations: some episodes include a great deal of singing. Too silly for words.

The show is full of Easter eggs and references to other fantasy books and shows. For example, Narnia, Game of Thrones, and many others.

There's also a lot of parallels with the Harry Potter books and films.

For those of you who have read the books then this series will diverge.

Top Gun: Maverick (2022)

Cruise is a poor role model

[8/10 · 2 July 2022]

Great film, great plot although it's a bit like the Navy meets Star Wars, great flight scenes and a compelling story, if you don't think too hard about it.

Cruise, and Connelly, both are in motorcycle scenes with no crash helmets or any other protective gear. This is a very poor role model and illegal almost everywhere. Theses scenes definitely detracted from the overall enjoyment.

Bridgerton (2020– )

Parody at best

[3/10 · 27 May 2022]

The sets are spectacular, the costumes wonderful, the acting very decent and there it ends. The story is contrived, the use of a United Nations cast is a huge distraction, and the script get annoying at times

Worth a watch, yes - but don't expect the grip of Downtown Abbey.

Yakamoz S-245 (2022)

Seems to be a rip off of "into the night"

[5/10 · 2 May 2022]

So many similarities with "into the night" that it looks like a rip off, and not a good one either.

"Into the night" is so much better with a lot more depth, but you watch this one if you've lots of spare time.

The Nest (I) (2020)

Should be renamed "the unravelling"

[9/10 · 4 March 2022]

Great acting, great story (and backstories alluded to as the story unfolds) and great character development. As a result, it's multi layered giving much opportunity for reflection on what happened, how it happened, why it happened and so on

It's also a tragedy that has an ending that could be the beginning of another film.

It's not a film for everybody. For example I loved it but my wife thought it was not good.

Atlantis (2013–2015)

Suspend all knowledge of ancient times

[1/10 · 8 February 2022]

Each episode offends the memory of Hercules but I was willing to 'overlook' it to enjoy the stories, the sets, the locations and the performances

Until episode 8 of season 2 where we learn by inference and direct observation: There are no Gods The army is not loyal to the queen The army is not loyal to the general The trial was a farce The story is so contrived The queen is a joke

I had to stop watching as the continental divide of credibility was just too big. I shall finish the series as I particularly want to see Jason's heart blacken but no wonder the series was cancelled. Good call.

I had to add one of the most ridiculous plot points was what happened to the Gorgon's head - a potent weapon in Jason's hands as he made lots of statues. It simply disappeared at the end of the episode (I.e. Written out). Who would lose such a potent weapon? Ridiculous writing.

Fear the Walking Dead (2015–2023)

The series should be renamed "watch people make stupid mistakes"

[8/10 · 29 January 2022]

The premise is good, the acting of the lead characters is variable, but from good to excellent.

The most enjoyable thing is watching them make the stupidest decisions, which in several cases end up killing them.

Currently season 6 and we have enjoyed most of the episodes, but there was definitely a dull period after the two leads were killed off.

For example, in the last episode of season 6 there were at least 10 mistakes, and watching the characters make them van be very frustrating.

First Signal (2021)

Interesting story premise but so badly acted

[1/10 · 22 August 2021]

The actors are terrible, some of the dialogue is awful

It's a film that had promise from the point if the story, but the execution completely ruins the film.

Could not finish it, it was that bad.

Breach (IV) (2020)

Another Bruce Willis dud - avoid this film

[1/10 · 21 August 2021]

Bruce Willis has moved from A-list to B-list all the way to the bottom, Z-list? It's got to the point where if Bruce Willis is in a film it should be avoided, like this one.

The acting is poor throughout, although the story line premise had promise, but it did not live up to it.

The environment makes no sense either - smoking cigarettes in a space ship?

Constantly drinking beer, out of bottles?

Carrying chemicals that eat through metal like a hit knife through butter?

Had to stop watching after 30 minutes as it was just SO BAD.

The Tomorrow War (2021)

Strong start, ok middle, totally ridiculous ending

[2/10 · 21 August 2021]

Timeline plot holes in places leave one musing

Great opening, great acting, superb special effects, but the last part of the film is so ridiculous it's a wonder I managed to last it out

Overall, very disappointing. Could have been so much better.

Cursed (2020)

Lovely sets do not save a poor story. The worst interpretation if the Arthurian legend to date.

[3/10 · 28 August 2020]

Probably the worst interpretation of the Arthur legend I have ever come across. The series is visually entertaining, the production is good, the locations very beautiful, the special effects excellent. The acting is, for the most part, good. The huge failing is in the story line and characterization of the "familiar" names. It would have been much better if the characters did not use the names from the Arthurian legend as that ends up being a millstone round the program's neck

The supernatural is poorly used, magic is disappointingly weak. Battle scenes make no tactical sense, accuracy of archers is ridiculously good, or bad, depending on the scriptwriter's intent. Individual sword fights are clumsy and simply unbelievable (who turns their back back on their opponent and expects to live).

The sword of power's (not called Excalibur thank goodness) character is heavily influenced either by the One Ring or Stormbringer. The sword affects the holder in a similar way to the aforementioned.

Smoking and telescopes are two obvious anachronisms you will see.

And Merlin lost all his power, so much for England's mightiest wizard.

The episodes get worse the further you get into the series. On episode 9 as this review was written.

If there is a season 2 then I will not be watching.

The Lone Ranger (2013)

Some people hate this film, I liked most of it

[7/10 · 16 March 2014]

My wife and I watched this together. She hated it and I had a great time! That's not to say I loved all of it.

I'd classify this film as an absurd-comedy-action film (my wife didn't life the absurd)that requires you park your brain and just enjoy the good parts. Do NOT compare this to the original series, you'll be disappointed.

What was good? I loved the scenery, the sets, the dirt, the photography, the soundtrack, the special effects, and the humour. Many times I was laughing out loud. Johnny Depp and William Fichtner's performances shine. Armie Hammer was OK, but only if you forget who the original Lone Ranger was.

What was bad? Telling the story in the form of a series of flashbacks between a small boy and an aged Tonto (who might be a spirit, or not) was extremely annoying, and completely unnecessary. The film would have been so much better without those scenes. Don't try to figure out how the horse got on the roof, or on the branch (it's not explained anyway).

The Family (I) (2013)

Black humour at its best

[8/10 · 15 March 2014]

I loved this film as it was very funny throughout. Strange really, because the Blake family are very nasty people and we should not be "on their side"; nevertheless, I found myself applauding their actions most of the time.

Let's face it, haven't we all wanted to walk into some executive's office with a very valid complaint, and take appropriate retribution when we didn't get satisfaction. I know I have - although dragging somebody behind a car for some distance on the road is a bit extreme.

The casting of Dianna Agron was a mistake, there was no way this 27-year- old could pass for a teenager. Pity! I loved the character.

Remember, this is a comedy, so park a big portion of belief at the door, sit back an enjoy the fun. I laughed all the way through.

Hostages (2013–2014)

If you like people being stupid, watch this show!

[1/10 · 4 February 2014]

We watched this show in a binge after recording the whole season. It started with an interesting premise but as the episode rolled on the stretching of our belief that people would act in the way that they did was just too much.

We finished watching it just to see how stupid the characters could get and how ridiculous the script could get. I give both of those a 10.

There are many leaps of faith in the story, like how the children are extracted mid-bus ride to Montreal by one of the gang and returned home at light speed. I don't know how you can coerce two belligerent teenagers in public to do anything (of course it was not shown).

And why Dr. Sanders doesn't simply tell the President that there's a plot against him (she has private access to him several times) makes no sense.

It got very wearing on how many key people were corrupt, how they were all perfectly placed and so on.

No, there are too many scenes that make no sense like the time Dr Sanders is given a shovel and told to dig a grave. At the time her captor has no weapon out so she could do serious damage to him. Also why dig it when she is the key to the plan. Without her they can do nothing. And so on ...

Prisoners of War (2009–2012)

Watch Season 1, Skip 2

[7/10 · 4 February 2014]

Really, I'd give Season 1 a "9" and Season 2 an "8" until the last two episodes when its just awful. They are so bad, it destroyed all credibility.

The version I watched was with sub-titles (my wife could understand the Hebrew and said the translation was lacking in many places). The acting throughout is excellent and here is where it differs from Homeland - we get to understand the characters much more and see more of their emotional lives.

Season 1 is excellent and the cliff hanger at the end is powerful. Season 2 leads you on the promise to explanation, but never delivers. It seems as if the script writers really lost their way - pity.

Upstairs, Downstairs (1971–1975)

Great for binge watching

[10/10 · 4 February 2014]

We watched all five series back to back and what a wonderful experience it was. One really got to know some of the characters and could see where the story was going (although there were definitely some sad surprises).

No wonder this was so highly rated and so highly watched during its release days.

You get a really good sense of what life was like in service, and the type of people that did well in that role. A totally different lifestyle to what we are used to today and certainly not one that I would enjoy.

Its sad that many of the actors in this series have now passed away.

Upstairs Downstairs (2010–2012)

What a disappointment

[4/10 · 4 February 2014]

We watched this after having watched all the episodes of the earlier version (1971). This version is set 6 years after the original series but was made 35 years later. The actors who played Mr. Hudson, Mrs. Bridges and Ruby have passed away and barring a few one liners to Mr Hudson we hear nothing of them - pity.

Rose has returned to London following the death of Lord Bellamy (a one liner) and runs a placement agency, but we don't get a good explanation. Rose is the only thing that makes Season 1 work. Jean Marsh's stroke removed her from all but two scenes in season 2 causing some re-writing. As a result, Season 2 was poorly done.

There is no cohesiveness in the groups (upstairs and downstairs). The stories are too contrived. Unlike the original, where one got to know and like the characters. The reverse is true of this production.

No wonder they cancelled the series, and no wonder Downton Abbey won the ratings war.

Emperor (2012)

Well worth a watch, but its still fiction

[8/10 · 4 January 2014]

Great acting from most of the cast, and well filmed. The sets of bombed Tokyo a shocking in their desolation and you really get a feel for "surviving".

Despite the fact that the film is based on actual events, this is not a docudrama. Many liberties are taken with the facts so don't watch this film looking for education. It's a real shame that the script could not mirror the actual events better. This was a turbulent time, and important decision were still being made. The true story would probably have been every bit as good as what we saw, perhaps even better if it was told with care.

Also, here are parts of the Japanese dialogue that just don't ring true

The fictitious love interest of General Bonner Fellows, while somewhat intriguing, was a) not true, and b) very distracting to the main story. It's mystifying to me why this was inserted in the film except to show a one-star general being derelict in his duty. If it was to highlight the differences in culture, then it failed miserably as only hints were given.