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Monsters: The Hurt Man (2024)
Wonderful acting ruined by shooting gimmick
In this episode, Erik's at a table talking to his attorney. His face is to the camera. Her back is to us. Incredibly, the director stays with this one angle for the entire episode as the camera slowly zooms into Erik over the whole 30-plus minutes. The acting is great as usual, but as soon as I realized that we were on this shot for an absurdly long time, it took me right out of the scene. I was so bored that I lost what the actors were saying as I quietly pleaded for them to cut to a different angle.
I also got the impression that they stayed on this shot in the name of "trying something different." It's good to try something different sometimes, but this attempt was so different that it became a distraction from the story.
Killers of the Flower Moon (2023)
Dear God When Will This Film End?
This is the most boring film that I have ever seen. I keep waiting and waiting to see if something dramatic happens. - Oh wait, someone just died. Never mind, she was sick and we didn't get to know her anyway. -
Do you just become a "great" director and forget that a film needs a plot and pacing. Throw in some good actors and hope that they'll make something happen? Really Marty, who are these characters and why should I care?
This is so self-indulgent. Scorsese teases a murder mystery towards the top. Then, he takes nearly an hour just to begin fulfilling that promise. There is no reason to sit through all of these scenes. Hire an editor.
1923: The War Has Come Home (2022)
Yawn
I really wanted to like this. I tried Yellowstone and now 1923. They're boring! I'm not one of those action-film addicts. I can take a slower story, but this latest group of western sagas... moves... so... slowly. It's like they're purposely dragging out routine shots of people walking, talking, riding horses. We get it. The scenery is pretty but get to the point already!
Also, the trek through Africa is just excruciating. You know why we don't often hear about Americans getting attacked by wild animals? It's because they don't typically walk around isolated brush land in Africa. Sadly, the characters involved here were so uninteresting that I started rooting for the wildlife.
At this point, I'm wishing all the Duttons luck and moving back to stories based in big cities.
Nanny (2022)
Never lives up to its promise
I stayed with this film because it was so beautifully shot. The tone and settings were inviting and the characters seemed strong, especially the lead Anna Diop. But the film never really goes anywhere.
The nanny is an African immigrant to America. She had to leave her young son behind for now. Her employers are not always honorable and the pay is inconsistent. So? That's basically the story of most immigrants. Us, our parents, our grandparents etc. Nearly everyone had to deal with hard work and unfairness. There's nothing new here except that the director feels the need to punctuate her lead character's moments of human struggle with shots of the supernatural. I wish she had put that effort into constructing a plot instead.
Armageddon Time (2022)
Stop making bad films
About thirty minutes into this film, I thought, "These kids are losers. Why am I watching this?" I finished the film feeling the same way. It's supposed to take place in the 1980s. All we learned is that the director's family hated Ronald Reagan, that he heard a grade school classmate use the "n" word and that he saw a black friend treated unfairly. These aren't spoilers. They're a warning. Nothing much happens. Why does this guy think that his childhood is in anyway interesting to anyone but him? More importantly, why did some really great actors sign-on to a film that lacks a plot? And why did a studio sign-off on this?
This isn't The Fablemans. Nothing in this guy's life inspires him to greatness. Instead, you get the feeling that even close families who have dinner together, invest in private schooling and encourage their kids to succeed, can still end up with a kid who's a dud.
And that leaves us where exactly?
Master (2022)
What a waste
I read through a lot of the good and bad reviews here. Then, I decided to give it a shot. This film is not being "ratings-bombed." It's not that people who haven't experienced racism "don't understand it." It's simply a really bad film. It seems that the director is, in part, trying to equate the affect of subtle racism today with historical, overt acts of racial violence. Unfortunately, she lacks the skill to tell a good story. Her effort is choppy, uneven and at times incoherent. The actors are good, but their characters are underdeveloped. Her attempt to give the film a horror backdrop is basically unnecessary. Plus she creates a twist at the end that, at first, seems clever - but it raises a question that she fails to answer. Story-wise, we're left as confused as the lead character as she walks off into the night.
Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)
In what universe is this film getting 10 stars?
As a multiverse fan, this film is an embarrassment. A multiverse usually has some kind of design, some kind of logic that helps viewers enjoy the ride. Look at Dr. Strange and Loki. They both have simple rules that fans can follow. This film is just a chaotic mess. Perhaps it's no surprise that some of the commenters, who are raving about this nonsensical romp, are comparing it to the chaos in their own minds. The quick cuts and sudden universe changes come off as a gimmicky attempt to make you believe that something is actually happening. But, there is just no substitute for an actual plot. What a bore.
Riches (2022)
Damaging and cliched
At first I thought that it might be a black "Succession." That would have been gimmicky but at least it held out the hope of being an intriguing family drama. But it's not Succession at all. It's not even a good family drama on its own. Instead it's shallow, superficial look at a dysfunctional, rich family who happens to be black. Yawn. I can't identify with these characters to begin with and it doesn't help that they aren't given enough layers to make them interesting as human beings. Plus the writers fly into this rather damaging cliche of making the bad guys white. This is as unhelpful as making black characters bad in majority white shows. It serves no one. I hope they throw this out as a failed attempt. It's really a waste of time.
The Fabelmans (2022)
Patience
I thought I might give up on this film. For awhile, it felt like I was watching Ozzie and Harriet in Arizona. No family could possibly be that happy. Then, about 45 minutes in, it grabbed me and it didn't let go. Part of the fascination was the idea of watching a young Steven Spielberg unfold. I really enjoyed seeing his early filmmaking ideas. Though I did wonder whether any seven year old could have that kind of eye for framing, perhaps Spielberg did.
Plus, I found his evolving personal and family drama interesting. It made me consider how these events shaped him as an artist. Yet, if this had been based on an average person's family, I would likely have seen it as quirky, but not that engrossing. It only works here because we know how it ends.
I do love Spielberg's films but I think that he may be facing a problem that I've seen with some other great directors. At this stage, who in the world is going to say, "Great work, Steven, but you really should cut half an hour?" It would be a much better film if he trimmed some scenes from the top.
Alaska Daily (2022)
My brain has been starving for this series
Thank you to the writers and producers of this excellent show. It's one of the few series with strong, smart characters who are doing important work. The story involves journalists working at a small, daily newspaper in Alaska. They're alert, intelligent and insist on digging deep. It's a fairly good take on how the news media is supposed to work. So far, it shows a team that challenges each other and doesn't let politics get in the way of reporting a fair story.
Hillary Swank leads the cast as a former NYC reporter. A source possibly burned her on a big story (as of now it's not clear if this actually happened,) but sadly, the cancel culture of office gossip about how she supposedly "treats women," (with the same hard edge that she treats everyone) becomes a social media issue. It leads her to leave the big city and accept a job in Alaska. (Apparently, people aren't as emotionally fragile there.)
Alaska Daily's newspaper setting lets the characters interact with engaging stories and thoughtful drama. It's simply never dull. I am so glad that it's returning for a season 2.
Conversations with Friends: Episode #1.3 (2022)
But, why?
Most of the actors are excellent. (I'm not too fond of the Bobbi character. She a bit too nosey and annoying.) And despite the other, mostly solid, performances, I can't understand why Nick is attracted to Francis. He could probably have a shot with half the women in his city. So, what is it? Is he trying to get revenge on his cheating wife by sleeping with a woman who also sleeps with other women? I just don't see a real connection between Nick and Francis. Maybe the motives will become clearer as the show moves on. But right now I'm wondering what has happened to Nick's wife Melissa? The story is falling down for me because Melissa's not there to give us guidance on her relationship with Nick, from her POV. I'm sticking with it for now.
The Souvenir: Part II (2021)
I tried.
I kept watching this film because I really wanted to discover why some other commenters here enjoyed it. I realize that it's an "arthouse film." I know that it may take some patience. I even liked one of Hogg's previous films. (The name escapes me.) But, this film was so tedious and so devoid of plot. It seemed like the filmmaker made this film for other filmmakers or film students. It just felt so self-indulgent. I couldn't find a compelling reason to care about any of the characters or their student film. Their issues seemed so trite that I occasionally found myself telling the characters to grow-up.
I will say that the film started to come alive when Richard Ayoade showed up. But it wasn't enough. Nearly two hours of an uninteresting film is too much.
Ghostbusters (2016)
How could they?
If you're going to reboot a classic comedy, that's fine. But, please, make it funny! The highly contested gender-switch was not a problem for me. Each of these 4 women is highly talented and I've enjoyed their work in other films. They simply lacked a good script or even a good, basic plot. There was nothing here to make us care. Nothing to make us root for them. You can't just fill the frames with a ton of CGI and make us think that something worthwhile is happening. But above all, the film just wasn't funny.
Chris Hemsworth's character did make me laugh, at first, mainly due to his delivery. But switching a painful stereotype from a dumb, blond woman to a dumb, blond man does not make the idea any less two dimensional. It quickly became predictable.
I'll applaud the small twist at the end, but it was just too late. With less than a half hour to go, I just wanted to make it to the end.
A note to Hollywood, if you're going to toy with viewers' childhood memories and make it work, you've got to tread lightly. Find the cinematic anchors that made the first film work. You can change the story, grow it, add new cast, but don't lose your focus. You're supposed to creating solid comedy.
The Essex Serpent (2022)
Only the actors kept me watching.
Great performances by all. But, the plot was a bit thin. Six episodes to promote science over superstition? At least they didn't burn Claire Danes' character at the stake.
In the end, the series left me with questions like, "What about Naomi?" Seriously, where was Naomi that whole time and why did she disappear? I must have bitten into a sandwich just when they explained it. Plus, why was the Vicar's wife so understanding about her husband's cheating? Obviously, she's dying, but she still should have thrown him out on his butt. For that matter, why wouldn't a woman as strong, intelligent and science-minded as Danes' character, figure out a way to poison her abusive husband? And what's with the detour into Communism? It's like the writers were saying, 'If you're not that interested in the Loch Ness monster plot, look at these poor people in the slums.' What?? Finally, if one more person painfully opened and read a letter, I was going to scream. The director really put the snail in "snail mail."
On the plus side, I did think the actor who played the doctor had a unique take on his character. He was insufferable, but interesting. The marshes made a beautiful, mysterious setting. And I really envied the kid who played Hiddleston's son. Loki can read me a bedtime story anytime.
Journeyman (2017)
Excellent work by top rate actors
It's worth watching for the moving performances. Not a fight film, but a realistic depiction of the damage that the sport can do. I did find it unbelievable that a man who needs and could likely afford 24-hour care, wasn't getting it. But then, we would certainly miss some good moments. (I had to laugh when I correctly guessed where he hid the crying baby. Small spoiler alert - she wasn't hurt.) On a more serious note, Paddy Considine really nails the tragedy of brain damage and the struggle to heal. Jody Whittaker, does an excellent job as his tolerant but, at times, devastated wife. At an hour and thirty minutes, the film is just long enough to stay in engrossing. Kudos to all involved.
The Old Man: IV (2022)
Another One Bites the Dust
Great actors. Unique story. Promising plot. Why are the writers letting this fall apart? In episode 4, they decide to insult our intelligence. They have an attorney for a (former?) Afghan warlord threatening to tell the US government that the Assistant FBI Director is corrupting an investigation --- when the attorney has zero proof! None. It's all speculation from one insider. Do the writers think we're stupid? Then this Assistant FBI Director agrees to get on a plane when he doesn't know where it's going? First of all, that would never, ever happen. Secondly, here's an idea --- ask the pilot where you're headed.
It's like the writers think that we never watch or read news, that we have no idea how government works, that we might actually believe that an FBI official would be afraid of someone making accusations with no evidence. Please! Respect your audience.
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
Can a film really be this boring?
I'm an hour into this saga -- and nothing interesting has happened. Nothing. So, I started reading these reviews, trying to understand why some people liked it. But, after numerous, over-the-moon statements about this "award-winning" epic, the same phrase keeps running though my mind - "the emperor has no clothes." This film has a lame plot, silly characters and and zero depth. I'm starting to think that all the people who claim to be crazy about it - are lying. There is nothing here to engage any viewer over the age of nine.
I wish the main character would just toss the ring into the ocean and move on with his life.
Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)
How Could They Ruin Thor?
I never thought it possible, but this is the worst MCU film that I've ever seen. A cast of mostly A-list actors can't even save this pathetic script. In the real MCU, we at least have drama. We get the feeling that the characters might, at times, be in danger - even if they are simply comic superheros. This film, however, is so silly, weak and Disney-esque that it's impossible to suspend disbelief for a second. With the cheap-looking sets and poor CGI, it actually looks like a cartoon at times.
Plus, who thought it was a good idea to give a character Stage 4 cancer? Really? That's the reality you decided to inject into a comic universe? It was horrific.
I gave it two stars for the actors. Russell Crowe went out on a limb even if his character, as written, was ridiculous. Christian Bale is always good, but he was so filled with pathos that it felt like he was making a different film. Chris Hemsworth is a great Thor. I never thought we could see too much of him. This time we, quite literally, do. When you have a character who's that hot, we really don't need to see his butt.
It seems that the creators, those who really know the MCU, just put their names on it without giving it their vision.
She-Hulk: Attorney at Law: Superhuman Law (2022)
Entertaining in a pinch
This show will hardly win any awards but the premise is silly and fun. The solid cast often outshines the weak writing. I agree with others that this episode had barely begun when it suddenly ended. It seems designed more for commercial TV than streaming.
House of the Dragon: The Heirs of the Dragon (2022)
Not bad, but too bloody
Good acting. Good plot. Always good to see a few dragons. But I may have outgrown all the blood, sex and gore. I could handle it in GOT but when the first episode of this series opted for an on-camera castration and then a pre-anesthesia C-section, I more or less lost it. It's okay to leave some visuals to the imagination. I could have just enjoyed the show's solid cast.
Night Sky: The Caretaker (2022)
You Lost Me At Newark
It's so hard to suspend disbelief in this series. It's not the sci-fi that throws you but the stupid choices that the characters make. First we're supposed to believe that this elderly couple doesn't tell anyone about the really strange portal in their shed. Next, they want us to accept that this same elderly couple would let a blood-soaked, young stranger stay in their house. In this episode they want us to think that someone with a transporter that will take them anywhere - choses Newark! Lolololol! When are they going to re-brand this as a a sci-fi comedy?
Homeland: Chalk One Up (2020)
Totally Jumped The Shark.
I refuse to believe that a helicopter carrying the POTUS and the Afghan president would go down. Oops, maybe? No - we're the USA! Even if a president was dumb enough to announce his arrival in Afghanistan before leaving that country, we just wouldn't let the chopper go down. And fighters supposedly firing from the ground? Talk about jumping the shark.
Don't Look Up (2021)
Thank God for Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence
Hollywood shows once again how little it knows about the inner workings of our government and society. President's "Streep"s response to the serious news she receives is absurd. The cultural silliness of the talk show surrounding the "the revelation" is also over-blown and nonsensical. In fact, the overall general reaction to the scientists' revelation requires viewers to suspend disbelief to an impossible degree.
We get it. Too many people put style over substance. Enough already.
I'm still trying to figure out if this is supposed to be camp, tongue in check or a demented comedy?
DiCaprio and Lawrence are the only ones who bring this mess even a modicum of credibility.
Dexter: New Blood: Too Many Tuna Sandwiches (2021)
Excellent Edisode
Now that Dexter's identity has been uncovered he tentatively starts peeling back the layers with his son while the two are in therapy. That was an excellent scene. We couldn't have asked for a better actor to play Harrison. He is a multilayered character with his own dark secret. Dexter thinks that Molly, the podcaster was the one who cracked his identity. I spent the episode hoping that Dexter would find a reason to kill her. She is such an annoying character with a mouth full of expletives. I think we're headed to a good place where characters and their interests collide.
Midnight in the Switchgrass (2021)
Stay away. Stay far, far away.
This is a 99 minute serial killer cliche.
The biggest mystery is what happened to Bruce Willis' neck? It's missing for about the first hour.