carlaweems72 Reviews

Home (XV) (2020)

Reality on the Mark

[10/10 · 4 July 2023]

I was quite stunned to see that this movie was written and directed by Franka Potente. I only know Miss Potente from her role in the Jason Bourne movies. I had no idea her talent and artistry extended into writing and directing.

I am a strong believer that there should be more women directors. This movie was a solid look at reality, and what can really play out when a former prisoner returns home. The reactions to his return were true, they were believable, and I absolutely loved this movie.

Miss Potente is a skilled director and I look forward to seeing more of her work on the big screen.

Kathy Bates always turns in good performances, "Home" is no exception. Jake McLaughlin's work is powerful. A very good and solid movie.

Wired Shut (2021)

Same Ol' Type Bad Guy

[3/10 · 26 February 2023]

One of these days, a writer is going to script a criminal without making him or her spout those inane little childish, teasing threats when they are speaking to a victim(s). They are so predictable. I actually got up to go brush my teeth, and refill my water filter pitcher. That's how predictably boring and eye-rolling the bad-guy's talk was to one of only two other characters. ALTOGETHER NOW "BORRRING!!' The bad guy, "Preston" yaps on and on, I fast forwarded a couple mins cuz it was a waste of movie time. That type of writing is supposed to convey how psychotic and menacing the bad guy is. Again, BORING! The father and daughter characters were interesting enough, but the bad guy's character is so poorly written I could have done better half drunk and half asleep.

Cedar Cove (2013–2015)

Beautiful Location But..

[2/10 · 15 February 2023]

The main character of this Hallmark TV series in my opinion, is the location. I believe it's supposed to be Washington State but in reality is Vancouver BC, and that's okay, that is certainly not my issue with this show. Many shows and movies film in Canada for the tax breaks. Cedar Cove is a charming show with a handful of poorly written characters. The lovely Andie McDowell also Executive Produces this show, that's nice. Her character is lovely too. A local judge in a port side town where everyone knows everyone's business.

This show is ONE BIG soap opera; yes, I know, many Hallmark shows and movies are, but this one is frustratingly predictable. I could write this series with my eyes closed and my brain on pause. I'm only on the 2nd season (thankfully, there are only 3 seasons), and the worst character out of the ENTIRE show (so far) is Eric, the son of one of the main characters. His character is written in a way that ANYONE would want to slap the crap out of him. He's a weak, sniveling 25 year old son who (predictably) blames his dad for "not being there," and bleeds that sorry excuse for as long as he can, and that's all I'll say about his annoyingly weak character.

The women-folk in this show are also predictably written. Thank goodness one of the writers decided to make some of the men comeback with smarter, wiser responses.

Bottom line, it's a beautiful show to watch and appreciate the charming "small seaside town" that it is, but there are NO surprises. None. It's ABC 123. I'm surprised it lasted 3 seasons, I just think Hallmark was being kind in stretching it out that long.

Where's Rose (2021)

Monumentally Stupid Movie

[1/10 · 3 February 2023]

Please don't waste your time watching this film there is pretending to be a movie. It is just stupid. It doesn't explain things, the storyline is completely idiotic. I don't even know what the hell this garbage is. It has no ending. The characters are not explained. Key events that happen in this pile of garbage are not explained. I've seen some pretty bad movies, but this doesn't even hint at what the movie is. I don't understand why Amazon prime has this in their selection of movies. It's ridiculous. It is a waste of time, it doesn't even allow the viewer to mentally come up with a conclusion for the movie. It is just garbage. Pure garbage.

I Am Wrath (2016)

This Is A Surprisingly Good Movie!

[9/10 · 30 November 2022]

I had only taken my sister's word that this was a bad movie. I am now thinking she must've been thinking about another movie somehow. This on-a-revenge John Travolta movie was pretty damn good. I am also pretty damn sure Christopher Meloni (of "Law & Order: SVU fame) clinched it. I ADORE Christopher Meloni, he hasn't made a movie yet that I haven't liked. I'm not releasing any spoilers by saying that Travolta goes commando on creeps who killed his wife (played by the lovely Rebecca DeMornay) and wow--- she was totally under-utilized in this movie. DeMornay is an EXCELLENT actress but was only in this movie for a frustratingly short time. Pleasantly enough also, this movie showed no animal killings (always a relief) and again, it was very entertaining from start to finish. So, if you haven't watched this movie yet, take a couple of hours and grab some munchies and enjoy.

Heroin: Cape Cod, USA (2015 TV Movie)

Truly a Pathetic Life

[2/10 · 6 November 2022]

To quote one of the addicts in this documentary, "..Like, I just want to be with my heroin and me and nobody else."

I really used to feel bad for drug addicts, alcoholics, people hooked on meth, or some other drug of choice. Now, they have no impact on my soul anymore. Absolutely none. I had a friend who was an addict, and I saw the horrible choices she made, and rejected all the help that was offered to her, really good genuine help. I understand that heroin is truly truly addictive and all these druggies think about is the next high. But like I said, I have absolutely no empathy for them, not any more.

The fact that so many young people are hooked on this garbage is what's really sad because these are the people who would've been professionals later or good people, or good parents, or good friends to someone. But when one of these drug kids said after she got out of the hospital from an overdose and she was given Narcan, she went back out into the parking lot and shot up again. Well, if that's your choice, good riddance.

I watch these documentaries sometimes hoping to see some kind of change trending, but it doesn't. And yes I do blame the doctors for prescribing these opioids. I blame them as much as I blame these idiots making poor choices for their lives. And some of these young girls are leaving children behind. What can you do? Absolutely nothing.

Firestarter (2022)

CINEMATIC GARBAGE, LITERALLY.

[1/10 · 16 May 2022]

I was actually looking forward to seeing this, but I am now EMBARRASSED FOR the director KEITH THOMAS.

This was a TERRIBLE "attempt" at a remake of the classic FILM which starred Drew Barrymore as a child. One of the major differences I noticed was the treatment of animals.

The original had the father and daughter actually caring about animals.

This pile of CINEMATIC GARBAGE was horrifically cruel and brutal. I ALWAYS think directors are inexperienced, stupid, and lazy when they include deliberate wanton cruelty toward animals.

THIS "FILM" WAS PURE LANDFILL.

Pitfall (1948)

I Love Older Movies, But..

[5/10 · 7 April 2022]

I enjoy watching older movies because they have always seemed cleaner and more cleverly written, despite being old.

One thing that I look for are the stars in the movies, and while I like the work of Dick Powell, Jane Wyatt, and Lizabeth Scott, I have always been averse to Raymond Burr.

Burr has always stirred a revulsion in me. He is physically unattractive, always grossly fat, to the point that I can hardly look at him without being physically repulsed. Further, I don't consider him to be that great an actor, at all (these, of course, are my own personal opinions of the guy).

To me, Burr brings this storyline down. If any other actor had been chosen the movie might have redeemed itself. I like the story of a man's fooling around on his beautiful wife results in his world being turned upside down, that's what he gets. This movie does it well. Dick Powell's performance is fine. Jane Wyatt's talent is wasted in this movie, but nonetheless, her performance is first-rate.

This is a good, solid movie about the age old story of infidelity (usually on the part of men) which kept me watching. I only give the movie 5 out of 10 stars because of Raymond Burr, who again, makes me want to vomit.

American Flyers (1985)

A Top Notch Movie

[10/10 · 2 March 2022]

I found this movie to be excellent. It's a movie about brothers, family, and professional bike racing. This movie kept me very interested, I enjoyed learning about the sport of bike racing. It's just a really good movie. I'd definitely watch it again.

Don't Look Up (2021)

A Movie to Show How Stupid People Are

[1/10 · 31 December 2021]

Ariana Gardasil's singing is like nails on a chalkboard. But it does show how stupid people can be easily led, like trump's cult of idiots. I. E., a movie about political stupidity. Can't believe this movie was made. And was the peter character supposed to carl sagan? Silly silly silly.

Gone with the Wind (1939)

THE WORST MOVIE EVER MADE

[1/10 · 19 December 2021]

I don't know what all the hub-bub was about, but this movie is GARBAGE. Pure garbage. There is NOTHING to see here, there is no entertainment, there is no meaning, the actors are/were lousy. The storyline itself is pure trash. Also, since it was made so long ago, there were no animal protection laws or concern for the animals in the movies. This movie is A TESTAMENT TO THE ABUSE THAT WAS LIKELY (AND IN SOME CASES EVEN TODAY) RAMPANT in movie making.

This movie is not worth the film's cost. Gawd, this movie is bad. Ugh.

Yellowstone (2018– )

A Crackerjack Series, except for the..

[3/10 · 10 December 2021]

There is so much animal cruelty depicted on this show it's sad. Sure, rodeos are rough, it's just .. how much pleasure are the executive producers taking in all the animal deaths and killings. Other than that, this show is one of the best written I've seen in a very long time. I appreciate good, original, smart writing - and this show has it. I LOVE that Native Americans are a big part of this program, it opens the series up to a lot of good storylines. I think Cole Hauser's character is one of the most intriguing and best written, of course, it doesn't hurt that Cole Hauser is quite easy on the eyes. You never know what's coming at you on this show - and that's one of the things that makes it extremely addictive. There's no "getting used to" the animal cruelty/deaths, I just fast forwarded through as best I could while binge-watching this show. And thanks to my sister who convinced me to give it a chance.

Home Sweet Home (I) (2020)

This Natasha Bure actress is AWFUL!

[3/10 · 18 October 2021]

I tuned into this movie, ready to see a sweet rom-com.

I DO realize the lead actress is the daughter of Christian actress Candace Cameron Bure (so I'm sure she's a sweet girl in real life), STILL--- the lead female character is this movie is highly off-putting, MONUMENTALLY STUPID and overly self-involved.

The idea of the movie is cute, and I tried to like it but it was difficult. The main male character/actor (Ben Elliot Paez) was good and believable. The movie doesn't lay on the religion aspect too heavily, but it's there on the surface.. it was just right.

I was glad the writers DID make the main character change her "dumb blonde" ways. But overall, this is a b-grade, average movie at best.

Crush (I) (2001)

A Very Watchable Movie.. But..

[7/10 · 9 October 2021]

I liked the plot of the movie - three 40-something ladies.. long time friends living their successful and very different lives in the countryside of Britain. One of them (Andie MacDowell tips the pot however, when she falls for a much younger man.

It's a good movie, but what I really loathed about this movie was seeing Andie MacDowell sitting on the toilet. Good God, why do directors of some movies do this! Ok, It was very brief, but totally unnecessary!

Red Hill (2010)

Ryan Kwanten Sole Reason to Watch This Movie

[5/10 · 9 October 2021]

AS A RULE, I do not support, watch, or promote any movie made in Australia because the country is among several other countries with the weakest animal protection laws ever. I reluctantly watched this movie SOLELY to see the work of Mr. Ryan Kwanten, whom I greatly respect as an actor. I also watched it so I could file the first report on the amazing app, "DoesTheDogDie.com" which lets users know about animal cruelty depicted in movies and other actions of concern to moviegoers. The IDIOT director of this movie, Patrick Hughes, also had no concern for the horses in this movie by making them race down the concrete streets (one slightly almost slips and you can see the sparks under the heels from the horse shoe impacting negatively with the street) - I loathe this kind of callous disregard for animals.

"Red Hill" has a good, solid plot and Kwanten does not disappoint in his role as newly arrived constable (officer) Shane Cooper.

When a local aboriginal imprisoned for a crime escapes, he goes on a shooting spree against local law enforcement and some of the town's citizens. Why? You'll have to watch to find out. The movie is a race to find and track down the killer who has local police seething with anger and fear. I like this kind of movie. The plot is certainly not original, but it is fun to watch and with actors like Ryan Kwanten, well - certainly worth 90-minutes of my time.

Eagle Eye (2008)

Monumentally Stupid Movie

[1/10 · 3 October 2021]

This is a waste of film. Stupid movie, not even a bright idea for a movie.

McCanick (2013)

You Lost Me..

[1/10 · 29 September 2021]

I have always enjoyed the work of David Morse, he's right up there, in my opinion, with Gene Hackman, Ciaran Hinds and a bunch of other character actors, who never disappoint. And Mr. Morse did NOT disappoint in this movie either. What DID disappoint was a disjointed script. It's also unfortunate this was the last film Corey Monteith was in before his untimely death. I had an okay idea of what this was supposed to be about, but that was only after reading RogerEbert.com's review, and IMDB's description. I even Googled and clicked on a couple of other "reviews," all of which rated this one low, and with good reason. It was convoluted and messy. I would like my 1-hr and 36-mins back please.

The Rifleman: The Sheridan Story (1959) Season 1, Episode 16

Amazing Talent from Guest Star Royal Dano

[10/10 · 16 September 2021]

This is such a moving episode. I've always been a fan of "The Rifleman," and this episode only reminds me why.

Dano plays the role of "Frank Blandon" a soldier who retuned from war wounded, a wound that was never properly tended. His portrayal of a man in agony because of that wound is gut-wrenching. This is such a wonderful episode.

The Black Dahlia (2006)

GARBAGE, FROM START TO FINISH

[1/10 · 5 August 2021]

This movie is a giant waste of time. It's garbage. And to the director who decided to add some character just randomly shooting pigeons as they scramble for crumbs on the ground - learn how to direct. THIS MOVIE IS TRASH.

The Twilight Zone: A Hundred Yards Over the Rim (1961) Season 2, Episode 23

One of the Best Episodes

[10/10 · 7 July 2021]

This particular episode is one of my favorites, and I only have a handful. Like I read on another blog, the time travel episodes relied solely on dang good acting. Cliff Robertson did a SUPERIOR job at Christian Horn, a father seeking help for his very sick son and the small wagon train he leads. I have seen others pick apart this episode, one person calling out Rod Serling for "goofing" since the rifle Mr. Horn is carrying was made much later than the time period he's supposed to have come from. WHO CARES ABOUT THAT! This episode is 100 percent believable, exceedingly entertaining, and wholly satisfying. Bravo, bravo, bravo! The other time travel episode I absolutely can't get enough of is "The Last Flight." Writers like this are rare now. Truly a great episode.

He's Out There (2018)

This Should Be A "Directed by Alan Smithee" Film

[1/10 · 5 July 2021]

Thankfully, there were no animals in this movie. However, there is nothing more exploitative than making a movie THEN.. with children as terrorized victims. It's not "oh relax it's just a movie," no - that doesn't apply here. The director, Quinn Lasher, out to turn in his Director's card because what he's made here is garbage. There's no "escapism" in making children terrorized victims in a movie. Yes, yes, I know, they're actors, I know all that mess. But to make a movie where two little girls see the lifeless body of their father with his eyes gouged out?! Is irresponsible at best in filmmaking. Sure, I can see a bunch of run-of-the-mill, standby over-sexed teenagers getting picked off one-by-one, but to try to come up with something different and making kids experience this level of violence is ignorant. Of course, no responsible parent would ever allow their kid to see this filth, but some parents are just not smart enough to be parents and some WILL allow their kids to see this fecal matter. I wish Quinn Lasher was reading this, because if he were, he'd see that I think his "work" is not worthy of even "direct-to-video." Your craft, Lasher, is steaming, human, fecal matter. Perhaps one day you'll be a real movie director and make a decent movie. For now, you're just a "wanna be" director whose creativity and ability are right there with the crap that accumulates underneath the rim of a motel toilet that's never been cleaned. Bottom line, THIS MOVIE SUCKED.

The Mandela Effect (2019)

Excellent Movie

[10/10 · 2 June 2021]

It is my belief that those who do not like this movie, simply didn't pay attention, or maybe they are uneducated and cannot grasp it. Which is unfortunate. I found this movie to be completely entertaining, interesting, and makes one ask a lot of questions about our existence. Good movie, and I am a great fan of. Charlie Hofheimer. I first saw him on Law & Order: SVU and he turned in an excellent performance. I'm glad to have seen him in this smart, entertaining movie.

Eminem: The Marshall Plan (2013)

Trash

[1/10 · 2 June 2021]

Vanilla ice = eminem.

Eminem = vanilla ice.

Both = joke.

I Am Sam (2001)

A Poorly Handled Subject Matter in a Movie

[2/10 · 24 May 2021]

I should first say that Michelle Pfeiffer's lawyer character in this movie was offensive. No lawyer is that frenetic, harried, or bumbling like Pfeiffer's is in this messy movie. I did not appreciate Sean Penn's performance either, he just wasn't right for the part. I guess I've just seen him in too many other movies where he is powerful, vengeful, tough, militant, everything that he is NOT in this movie, so in that respect his character simply wasn't believable to me. Also, why is it that movie directors feel they need to put the mentally challenged person in pants that are always too short? It's ridiculous.

Michelle Pfeiffer's character is unrealistic. I realize she was merely taking direction, but they made her character a complete idiot.

The two best performances in this movie were Dakota Fanning and Richard Schiff, who played the attorney for the state. Other than that, I want my two hours back.

The Statement (2003)

A Good True Story That Needed Telling

[8/10 · 21 May 2021]

I liked this movie. I usually don't pay much attention to official film critics because they often try to sound like they know what they're talking about - and they usually do not. I watched this movie because it has Tilda Swinton in it, but Michael Caine (whom I'm not a fan of), his character was repulsive. He kept spouting God this and God that, and yet he is a foul man. I'm glad this story was made into a feature film as feature films usually have greater reach in letting people know about true events that happened. There are thousands of stories like this, that are yet to be told, stories of the killing of so many innocent Jewish people. There are also far too many who "got away with murder." Again, good, solid movie of a true incident in history.