Grew up reading the history of the Islamic empire and the history of medicine. So many historical misconceptions, religious misconceptions, geographical misconceptions in this movie that left me feeling flat and frowning. I wanted to like it, Ben Kingsley performance was good, so was Tom Payne to a certain extent and certain decor/set were good but the lazy story telling without any credible history fact checking made it unbearable. All historical movies focusing on the Arab peninsula and Persia should consult natives of that country. So annoying to me that American Lebanese or Palestinians, or Egyptians are sought that completely slaughter a "historical" movie with their non-native presumptions and distinct dialects that were not yet formed at that time period or don't belong in that region.
Reviews
8 Reviews
This one punches
21 March 2023
I really love this show. It is the only show I re-watched all seasons THREE TIMES in a span of a year in all my life. It was my only COVID lock-down refuge. The role reversal and singing was really ingenious for a comedy show addressing a very serious topic , and is very memorable since I am already a big Quantum Leap fan ;). Then, in a split second I was gutted. I literally shook!!! And my eyes welled up in a second at the final scene. Didn't think I would see this kind of point blank harsh reality call, but then again these guys put so much work in the writing and creativity I am always in awe at how they keep it going strong and have caught up with all their other shows. Give them an Emmy already.
Black Adam
(2022)
Disappointed
25 November 2022
Am a huge Dwayne Johnson fan, expected more from this movie but got hugely disappointed! The story was pathetic and ridiculous and can "maybe" amuse a 4th grader or younger! Why all the Arabic names of places and people, yet the female lead (Sarah Shahi) is named Adrianna?? And each speaks with a different accented English, yet a centuries old demi-God returns and speaks perfect American English, just let them all speak American English! Not to mention the mashed up nationalities in the city (Two women in Indian attire). The acting was severely poor from most actors or maybe it was poor editing. Viola Davis and Djimon Hounsou were just side pieces!! Wanted more Dwayne got a bunch of side show pieces eating up most of the movie time. No wonder the hype resolved after opening week. Am sad for the Rock, he deserved better. Am giving it a 5 because Black Adam look was good, and some CGI was good, and Pierce Brosnan wasn't that bad. Doubt will watch again.
The School for Good and Evil
(2022)
missed opportunity
20 October 2022
The lead actors in this movie were sub-par, average at best and some acting felt very forced especially from co-actors. Despite high caliber actresses like Charlize and actor L. Fishburne, they could not save this movie. Kerry Washington was very flat despite having more screen presence than other big stars. The CGI was somehow TV movie level! I actually thought this was a TV movie! I didn't read the books but I hate how similar and cliche some of these stories are becoming. I have read the "Nevermore" series and this had many similarities. And I just hated the choice of intrusive music, made it very hard to connect to anything going on and way out of supposed timeline. Made for a long silly afternoon. Loved Charlize though and Michelle Yeoh despite her limited presence.
Secret Headquarters
(2022)
Average
12 August 2022
I wanted to love it, being a fan of Owen Wilson, but he has a limited screen presence here. The kids are not the best of actors, and one is not likable. Some scenes demoted this movie from average to mediocre, unfortunately. But there are good parts, and it is fairly enjoyable, especially if you watch it with kids. But seriously, why should there always be a love interest in kids' movies!! I mean 14-year-olds should not be wasting 50% of their time thinking finding love at that age is critical to their survival in their culture. It sickens me such cliches and it adds nothing to the story or movie as a whole. I miss the old kids "coming of age" movies; they had more substance, even the Sci-Fi ones. Nevertheless, I recommend this one for tweens for a family night out.
Moon Knight
(2022)
Shallow
27 April 2022
Ok, am not a moon knight comic fan but I do like shows and movies based on comics. This one despite the serious dramatic angle of mental disorder, it felt extremely shallow and without depth. The directing and screenplay is so amateurish that I wished they hadn't approached this character until an experienced crew came along. Oscar Isaac is fun but appears in more than occasion out of his depth and almost cartoonish. I think they also forgot that Arabic speaking people will watch this, their choice of Arabic music is so baad and waaay off the dramatic tones or scene emotions. At first I would laugh at their choices during the show when I should be tense as per the scene, but later it got so annoying that I would mute or unplug my earphones just not to ruin whatever emotional connection I had (rarely) with the scene. Very poor editing, music, and flow. Good for time pass but nothing to recommend.
Encanto
(2021)
A burst of color
24 December 2021
To all those who gave the movie a 1/10, sorry but if you do not appreciate the hard work of animation then you should not watch it. For the phenomenal effort of animation in this movie it should at least get a 6/10. I enjoyed the movie and felt as if I was whisked on a short flight to the world of color. Sure the story could have been better though frozen 2's was weaker. Perhaps some of the characters' songs were not needed or poorly timed and written but again Frozen 2 was much much worse. I loved the family theme and truth be told I have been in a similar situation myself so perhaps I connected more. My favorite character in this one was BRUNO :) he was very interesting and so much fun and the rats were like mini films within the movie. I just got mesmerized by all the details in the animation and tried to look at every little detail, even the rapid movements and facial expressions, they are really getting better. To those who say Disney is generic, remember just because your generation got sick of it, there is a new generation born and to be born so let them have this experience to cherish as we all once did, and some like me still do.
Antlers
(2021)
Good watch
30 October 2021
A very predictable story. Lack of sudden loud sounds (scare tactic) was a pleasant surprise. Worth a watch, especially because of the solid performance of such a young and talented Mr Jeremy Thomas :). Hope of a bright future for that young one.
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