Winter Soldier is my favourite Marvel film so I was expecting something better. Bad cliches, dull characters and no plot. Forced myself through the pliot, stopped in the middle of the second episode..
Reviews
11 Reviews
The Morning Show
(I) (2019– )
Conventionally told, dialogue heavy. Interesting theme.
9 January 2021
Good theme, interesting to take a peek to this part of media biz. After having been with a journalist for years myself, I was intrigued how this would play out. It is an ambitious show as well as the (mainly) lead female characters are portrayed. Maybe too ambitious, meaning it is hard to get attached or to even care for lead characters. It is hard to follow a show if you can't build empathy for characters.
Main storyline is conventionally told and dialogue heavy TV, you would fully get the show as a radioplay as well. Not bad dialogue, but it could be less. It's missing the flow, tension and permanent time pressure in this world. The show 24 (with Kiefer Sutherland) over a decade ago presented a vital urgency that would have been helpful here as well.
A lot of swearing and yelling instead of giving the perfomers a chance to play certain situations more subtle. The is room for development.
Male characters are rather passive background players, sometimes crying, asking to be understood, talking about their emotions, relationships or yelling or being stubborn corporate powerheads (... after first 2 shows). So men are stereotypical, using mostly vulgar language, are not allowed to be sympathetic or likeable people? Plus they are subordinating to the character plots about ego and carreer of the female leads who are either power hungry themselvels or inventive with explosive idealism? Is this so? Acting is fine and there are some nice and well played scenes in it.
Summarized, what somehow appears to be off is the general angle on human beings. Cynisism is a big part of this particular biz, but it also appears as if the makers are not too fond of their own species. Maybe that was an intention. As always, all is about personal taste.
Main storyline is conventionally told and dialogue heavy TV, you would fully get the show as a radioplay as well. Not bad dialogue, but it could be less. It's missing the flow, tension and permanent time pressure in this world. The show 24 (with Kiefer Sutherland) over a decade ago presented a vital urgency that would have been helpful here as well.
A lot of swearing and yelling instead of giving the perfomers a chance to play certain situations more subtle. The is room for development.
Male characters are rather passive background players, sometimes crying, asking to be understood, talking about their emotions, relationships or yelling or being stubborn corporate powerheads (... after first 2 shows). So men are stereotypical, using mostly vulgar language, are not allowed to be sympathetic or likeable people? Plus they are subordinating to the character plots about ego and carreer of the female leads who are either power hungry themselvels or inventive with explosive idealism? Is this so? Acting is fine and there are some nice and well played scenes in it.
Summarized, what somehow appears to be off is the general angle on human beings. Cynisism is a big part of this particular biz, but it also appears as if the makers are not too fond of their own species. Maybe that was an intention. As always, all is about personal taste.
Skin
(I) (2018)
Stereotypical, immature ending.
16 January 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Strong storytelling until just before the end, wich is deeply disapointing. Hate does create hate. Artists should work on answers and solutions, not supporting stereotypical phrases such as "an eye for an eye". Is this supposed to be the message? No higher equilibrium, no forgiveness, no way for the characters to understand their wrong behavior, instead - killing. Yes I understand the purpose of a plot, but If portraying killing is the same language for artists in the 21st century as it is in a so called civilized society, it is very sad. Very immature and violent ending. Sorry, I cannot understand nor support this films high appraisal.
We Are the Wave
(2019– )
Bad writing, decent acting.
7 November 2019
Completly misses the point of the orignal story, which showed how easy normal people can be manipulated into fanatic ideas. Instead they show us stupid good-evil cliche writing. I suggest to watch the American movie with Bruce Davison.
A Perfect Ending
(2012)
Kudos for the courage to take that theme, nice acting scenes, a heavy-load of dramatic music
23 May 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Interesting setup of the story. Good photography, actors are all doing their job, fine. Fine tuning of moments, good observation, though sometimes overtold, resting too much in moments, slowing down, while audience understood already. It is somewhat courageous, I guess, to take on that theme that easily could drift into a different sort of film. Kudos for that. The story of the stock shares/financial heritage problems, plus the dramatic health problem of the lead character is unnecessary in my opinion. The storyteller could have trusted in the "coming of age" of a middle aged woman in a bourgeois environment (stepford wife) , but okay, they went for drama. One thing that is just very distracting, if not disturbing, is the overlaying music which gives it a touch of a , well, Hallmark movie. (maybe it was intended , then nobody wanted anything different, please excuse the remark). A very big compliment to filmmaker for the taste of the scenery and even more to the talent to open up so much for a very touching and realistic love making scene. Thanks for sharing these moments Barbara Niven.
Wonder Woman
(2017)
trailer might not be a fair representation of the movie
27 May 2017
Uhmm. Professional effects, genre like jumps and aerial pirouettes combined with mutant abilities of catching multiple times bullets in the air (a bit overdone in the trailer, not?). Nice, pretty, sexy female lead, but bottom line I wonder if a romantic lead works as an Amazone Queen. I wish success to the makers and good popcorn entertainment to the audience.
Iron Fist
(2017–2018)
Pretty decent show, doesn't deserve all the hate
17 March 2017
I binge watched already the whole show since I'm sick at home. I was aware of all the bad critics, but I had nothing else to watch. I was pretty surprised, the show has an entertaining storytelling, good acting (I like Finn as the sometimes childlike but also wise Danny Rand), some humor, sometimes a little bit cheesy, good fight scenes (even though Daredevils hallway scene is unparalleled ). I would rate the show in line with Luke Cage and Jessica Jones, Daredevil is better, but Iron Fist doesn't deserve the hate. It has also three strong, interesting female characters: Rosario Dawson has a comeback as the Night Nurse, but in stronger appearance than in Daredevil or Luke Cage. Also Jessica Henwick as Coleen Wing is a great female lead and Madame Gao is a wonderful fleshed out female villain. Give it a try.
Genius work of art unfortunately incomplete version for US audience
10 April 2006
Warning: Spoilers
Brilliant film, Bunuel chose a very surrealistic film language to tell this story about a small group of people who meet for dinner/lunch and never seem to get to eat. Many different levels of storytelling add up to to wonderful composition of little scenes that, each standing for itself, could be a little movie. A must for any filmmaker and lover of art and culture, and a feast for any consumer. - For those who are interested: Long time ago it was worth a scandal at its US premiere at 1972 ! Surprising that the US DVD Version is still amputated for a harmless and tastefully shot scene, where the characters sit on the table, with half naked bottoms. Less to see than in any teen-wet T-shirt -contest-comedy. My recommendation: Get a European copy! This film evidently is part of film history.
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