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MarkRWeaver
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Reviews
Anyone But You (2023)
Disappointing
I'm a Sydney Sweeney fan. She showed real acting ability in Euphoria and White Lotus. But this train wreck is all wrong. Why would she take this role? Terrible writing and she was terrible in it. Completely illogical plot. I like Gata from Dave (Lil Dicky) but his friendship with Glen Powell in this isn't believable at all. The only reason for 3 stars is because who doesn't like looking at pretty faces? Sydney, you're better than this. Time to find yourself a new agent after letting you take this role. I like she tried to expand her range into romantic comedy, but it's either not her genre or she needs to find a script with more depth to the character. She wasn't believable as the slightly awkward, clumsy adorable girl who hasn't dated in so long that she doesn't know what she's doing.
Big Little Lies (2017)
I didn't read the book
I enjoy reading user reviews on IMDB. It seems clear that the critics of this show are not pleased with the casting choices that do not align with the characters in the book. I've shared that frustration when I've watched an adaption of a beloved book seem to dishonor the characters in a story that moved me by inaccurate casting choices. So I get it. But from the perspective of a viewer who didn't read the book, this show was brilliant in both seasons. The star studded performances were phenomenal in every way. Even Meryl Streep perfectly made you hate her in the most real and relatable way. Only a seasoned actress could accomplish that with such precision. I loved seeing all those amazing actors in such a compelling story. I think it's important to give grace and remember that productions should get certain allowances when making adaptations of books to screenplays. I think the screenplay worked and was acted beautifully by the cast. The most important part of a series is to make the audience feel something, and it accomplishes that goal in strides. I was captivated throughout both seasons and was invested in the outcome of the characters. I laughed, cried and was genuinely entertained. This is just plain good television and I hope for more enthralling shows like this.
Tacoma FD (2019)
Cheesy Laughs
I loved Super Troopers. I also really enjoyed Club Dread and Beerfest. I'm a fan of this comedy troupe. I just discovered this series and watched the first season. This series does not have the snappy intelligent humor that Super Troopers had. I guess it's not fair to compare production quality between a film and a series, but the jokes in the series often fall flat. It's good for a few lowbrow laughs, but a lot of the humor feels forced, generic, and over the top. I like the characters, and the show has potential. But the slapstick brand of humor reminds me of 80's style Police Academy humor for my dad's generation. It's not as punchy or witty as their films. It's a decent watch to pass time if nothing better is on.
Happiness for Beginners (2023)
Bad Ad for Outdoor Brands
I sincerely feel like REI decided to sponsor a movie and started with the premise that we want to make a movie about a hiking/camping trip in the woods so we can feature all of our popular brands. Then they tried to assign it some kind of emotional meaning about hiking with a purpose to find yourself again. It wouldn't be Hollywood without a couple known TV actors to weave in a romantic narrative right out of the rom com playbook. Of course she doesn't like the obvious guy who would only be pathetic enough to chase her in a bad romance novel. Exaggerated characters and boring story arc. This is not a good movie.
The Crowded Room (2023)
Great acting from ALMOST everyone
Tom Holland and Amanda Seyfried were fantastic. How was Emmy Rossum so wonderful in Shameless, but so terrible in The Crowded Room? I guess she can be a strong, independent woman, but seeing her as a weak victim paralyzed by fear just wasn't believable. Her lack of range as an actor really tainted the show for me. Great to see Holland put in the work to master the personalities of his characters. I really appreciate the writing of series. Other shows with multiple personalities such as Primal Fear and Fight Club took me by surprise to learn the plot twist. It didn't take me too long to figure out Yitzak was Danny. Great show overall.
American Beauty (1999)
Beauty of an American Midlife Crisis
I was in college when this movie first came out and now I'm the age Kevin Spacey was in this film. I watched it again and read some negative reviews by people who can't even spell. If you weren't old enough to watch this movie in the time period it was made, you shouldn't be allowed to review it. This movie portrays the America I grew up in. It shows a couple stuck in their dull American corporate lives. This movie opened my eyes when I was coming of age that adults don't have it all together. They miss their youth and simple pleasures that made them feel alive. The mundane routine of a job you hate and a stale marriage makes you feel dead inside. This movie made me understand what a midlife crisis is. The nostalgia of a car that made you feel alive when you were young and the desperation to feel anything at all when your life has become a prison with no surprises or adventure left. Parents can grow to resent each other and become toxic, fighting over the most trivial things. The perverted fantasy and attention of a young pretty girl woke something he hadn't felt in years, and unfortunately sometimes fantasy gets confused with reality. It's supposed to be disturbing. All of it is. It's not glorifying it. It's a critique of society in America, and done in such an artistic and creative way. That's why it received the acclaim it did.
House of the Dragon (2022)
Fire the Casting Director
The show has great writing, directing, and cinematography, but the casting choices are terrible. Not a single interesting character. Someone decided to hire British B-list actors instead of striking characters like in GOT. I'm not even trying to compare the two shows, but how can you not acknowledge the lack of interesting characters in this one. We are a visual culture, and we want interesting faces to look at. It is very interesting to see the quality special effects and dragons. I love hearing the familiar family names in this origin story. But it's hard to watch because I don't care about the characters. I'm not even sure who the protagonists and antagonists are. Yawn.
Black Bird (2022)
Not their best performances
Surprised this is getting so many positive reviews. I love a good serial killer mystery, but the several of the actor performances aren't very convincing. Greg Kinnear and Ray Liotta are always top notch. But Paul Walter Hauser was much more believable as a mentally disassociated killer in his character in the show Kingdom. I felt his performance consistently indicating (over acting) throughout this series. The prison guard is just terrible casting if he's supposed to be a threatening bully. His performance cheapens the entire production and plot. Sepideh Moafi's performance is underwhelming as a tough detective. No depth to her character.
I haven't finished the show yet, but I have a pretty strong hunch about the outcome. I'll see if the outcome was as predictable as I suspect in the conclusion. I know there aren't a lot of great show options right now, but let's be honest: this show deserves no better than a 6 star rating. It screens like a cheesy soap opera with a serial killer storyline worked in.
House of Gucci (2021)
I think Leto is brilliant
So much hate for the actors in other reviews. I think Leto's ability to transform is incredible. I liked his portrayal of Paolo. I think Pacino's criticism is deserved. He's still living off his fame from Godfather and Scarface, but hasn't delivered an impressive performance in decades. I don't get why this movie is getting bad reviews. I enjoyed it.
Hustle (2022)
Almost didn't watch it
I can't remember the last time I truly enjoyed a full Adam Sandler movie. Probably Spanglish. I'd given up on Happy Madison productions. I remember the old days of watching Sandler on SNL singing about his red headed sweatshirt. But his comedy in recent years has been trash. This was truly a quality film. Loved it the full way through. Keep it up Sandler.
The Card Counter (2021)
Oscar Isaac should find a new agent.
I'm an avid poker player and casino enthusiast. This is not a poker movie and it's certainly not about counting cards. I'm an Oscar Isaac and Willem Dafoe fan too. I wanted to like this movie, but it just wasn't any good. At all. Oscar Isaac could have a promising career, but not if he keeps picking terrible projects. Big yawn from me.
The Batman (2022)
Boring
So boring. Turned it off half way through. Pattinson is terrible. No confidence. Not smooth. So slow and way too long. How do people like this? No charm. Not interesting. What's even the plot?
Life & Beth (2022)
Glad I stuck with it
I like Amy Schumer movies. This show was different and started slow and weird. But it just kept getting better each episode. I'm so glad I stuck with it.
The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window (2022)
Read before watching
I'm so glad I read the reviews on here before watching. Knowing that it's an exaggerated spoof on Lifetime movies makes it absolutely hysterical. I probably would have gave up on this show early if I didn't know that going into it. But knowing it's farce helps it to by so funny. Warning: makes you want to drink wine while watching.
Maid (2021)
Disney Abuse Story
An educated attractive white girl making horrible life decisions getting knocked up by an abusive, but not too terribly abusive, trailer park loser. She tries to reject all attempts at people trying to help her. It's fake and infuriating but the acting isn't bad and it's still an entertaining story.
Midnight Mass (2021)
Must see
Best series on Netflix in a long time. Amazing writing.
The White Lotus (2021)
So far so so good
I can't believe there are bad reviews. We're only one episode in but the cast is phenomenal, and the story is captivating. It's sexy, intriguing, layered with complex well developed characters and great acting.
The Sweetest Thing (2002)
Unwatchable
To be fair, somehow I remember actually liking this movie when it came out 20 years ago. But I just tried watching it again and it is truly unwatchable. Jason Bateman is hilarious in everything so he makes it get 2 stars instead of 1.
Kingdom (2014)
Almost Perfect Fight Drama
As other reviews have stated, this is one of the most underrated dramas in TV history. Beautifully acted and directed. Great writing. The characters suck you in. Even though it can be depressing at times and shows the dark side of a fighter's life, it has you laughing and rooting for the underdog who just can't get ahead just as much. I have one complaint with the director's choices. There a few gratuitous sex scenes that go back and forth between other scenes that don't line up with the emotion. In one moment there's sex that prompts the viewer to feel arousal and then the next moment a son will be nurturing his mother going through heroin withdrawals. And it switches back and forth. It's a really uncomfortable experience for the viewer and a bad directing decision. Other than that this show is perfect, especially for a middle aged man.
Norsemen (2016)
A Comedy Worth Watching Multiple Times
Norsemen has mastered the art of awkward humor, my favorite brand! This is the best show on Netflix. American comedies these days pander to the lowest denominator with childish raunchy behavior, but Norsemen gets it right with brilliant, provocative, witty dialogue that exposes the true awkward nature of human behavior. The show takes common social interactions such as corporate jargon, clingy romantic relationships, and an annoying guy in your friend circle who tries too hard to be liked, and places them all in an ancient Viking setting. You really have to watch it a few times to catch all the little comedic details you may have missed the first time around. Some shows lose their allure after the first season but Norsemen does not disappoint through the every episode of it's 3 seasons. Christopher Waltz said it best, comedy is like a cigar... it must be exquisite or it's better to to leave it altogether. Norsemen is intelligent comedy with an extraordinary cast that delivers on every line from every character.
Most Dangerous Game (2020)
Surviving the Game
The concept was taken from the 1994 film Surviving the Game with Ice T and Gary Busey. I watched the whole thing on Quibi because I'm bored during the coronavirus quarantine. There were moments of suspense and decent acting, but every encounter with a hunter was pathetic fight choreography. This is the most cringeworthy continuous sequence of unrealistic events and plot holes of any film in history. I can't believe Christopher Waltz agreed to this film. And why does Liam Hemsworth run like an awkward little girl?
Stunt Science (2018)
False Advertising
The show is called Stunt Science on the premise that there's a "method to the madness" but there's hardly any science. It's pretty much Tosh.0 with an annoying narrator.
I Feel Pretty (2018)
Amy gets a bad wrap
I had low expectations because of the reviews. I think Amy has made a lot of enemies with her outspoken views on controversial issues such as gun control. And then a lot of people were swayed by harsh undeniable accusations of her stealing jokes. But with all that said, Amy Schumer is a very talented comedian. I thought the movie was hilarious. Sure there's a similar theme to Shallow Hal, but Hollywood always borrows themes. It wasn't exactly an overlapping storyline as this movie addresses women's self esteem more than men's shallow objectification of women. I busted out laughing throughout the whole movie.
Wu: The Story of the Wu-Tang Clan (2007)
Wu Tang Deserves Better
I'll love Wu Tang forever, but they deserve better than this horribly produced documentary. The shots are shaky and out of focus. The story telling is disconnected. This is really amateur filmmaking. The Wu deserves better.