GilVillahermosa Reviews

The Battle at Lake Changjin (2021)

Chinese "Band of Brothers" in the Korean War

[8/10 · 16 June 2024]

A GREAT war movie!

Chinese "Band of Brothers" in the first seminal battle between the PLA and US Army of the Korean War.

Beautiful cinematography. Beautiful (and then brutal) landscapes. Stirring music. Relatively well written. Great acting.

First 10 to 15 minutes were probably the weakest part of the film. Propagandistic. Poor CG.

The film picks up speed as the protagonist & his brother head for war with the Chinese People's Liberation Army in Korea.

Clever use of split-screen and multi-screen to pan the reaction of multiple commanders & soldiers.

Considerable research went into American uniforms and vehicles as evidenced by the accuracy in American uniforms, vehicles & weapons.

Americans painted as tough fighters. Brutal battle scenes. Once the fighting starts it's almost continuous.

Movie reflects the Chinese Army's respect & fear for American air power.

Not afraid to show that the Chinese Army was short of standardized weapons and ammunition, as well as food and patted winter clothing.

Not afraid to show that many Chinese soldiers froze to death during the first seminal battle of the Korean War.

Or that the PLA suffered immense losses - but still won.

Are the Chinese trying to convince themselves that if they go to war with the U. S. and sacrifice enough they will win? Perhaps. But they should be paying close attention to Russia's disastrous war in Ukraine?

Echo (2023–2024)

DISNEY+'s BEST SERIES TO DATE!

[9/10 · 20 January 2024]

I LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS SERIES!

THE WORLD: The World of Kingpin Fish & the young Protege he's trained to enable his criminal empire.

THE CHARACTERS: The usual criminals & gangsters and a new group of Native Americans living on a Reservation.

THE PLOT: Maya Lopez, Kingpin's Protege, discovers he had her father killed and turns against his criminal empire after facing off with Daredevil - the only member of Kingpin's organization every to go head-to-head with the masked vigilante and not be decisively defeated.

That Maya Lopez is Native American, deaf & mute, and disabled (having lost a leg in a car accident) makes the character intriguing & compelling, especially when she starts kicking criminal butt on a massive scale. (The Actress who plays Maya, Alaqua Cox is new to Hollywood, a Native American, and deaf & mute).

I loved the use of American Sign Language - and Fisk's A. I. contacts that allows him to talk directly to Maya without an interpreter.

This series is so compelling that I binged watched all five episodes at one go!

The ENDING was absolutely EPIC!

I've learned that Disney plans an entire series around Maya Lopez and am glad to hear it.

I prefer regular Joes & Jane's, dressed in jeans & biker jackets and riding motorcycles to costumed & caped puffs flying through the air.

MAYA LOPEZ IS A HERO FOR OUR TIME!

Zorro (2024– )

A NEW, BETTER & BINGE WORTHY ZORRO!!!

[9/10 · 20 January 2024]

ZORRO RETURNS!!!

I Love everything about this new "Zorro" series!

So much so that I almost BINGE WATCHED the entire series in one go!

The first episode is a powerful hook that TRAPS THE AUDIENCE.

The WORLD is California in around the 1830s - inhabited by Native Americans, Chinese, the Spanish, the Russians, and the Mexicans.

The CHARACTERS are a range - good and bad - of all of the above.

The PLOT - involves a series of Native American Zorros, until the son of a rich Spanish landowner assumes the role and conflict ensues with the original tribe of Zorro - and everyone else!

COMPLEXITY & CONFLICT - Two Zorros battling Mexican, Spanish & Chinese protagonists - and each other. One vengeful, the other battling Injustice.

Even after one Protagonist is dispatched, another appears in his place - in the form of a twin brother! Worthy of A GREAT SOAP OPERA!!

This SPANISH SERIES was filmed at Souix City Park in Grand Canaria in the Canary Islands. The cinematography & vistas are brilliant and breathtaking.

The ACTORS are all well chosen for their roles & extremely talented.

(I don't understand why the first Zorro in the first episode - played by Cristobal Fernandez of "Ted Lasso" fame doesn't appear in the credits.)

Although not action packed by American standards, the STORY IS COMPELLING, driving the series forward.

KUDOS to any SERIES that puts NATIVE & HISPANIC AMERICANS & POWERFUL WOMAN at the center to its story.

LONG LIVE ZORRO!!!

The Family Plan (2023)

Surprisingly Good!

[8/10 · 22 December 2023]

This is one of those movies you should watch with someone you love!

I like Mark Wahlberg and enjoy his movies.

This movie turned out be surprisingly good - despite the less than stellar review.

Yes, it an old story but it's done in kind of a new way.

Love the World. Buffalo. Vega. A former government assassin living a new life in hiding.

Love the Characters - especially the toddler. He's pretty entertaining.

Love the Plot - The assassin fleeing to Vega with his unsuspecting family to lead them to a new life with his former assassin teammates in hot pursuit.

This movie has A LOT OF ACTION - actual and gamer.

It also has A LOT of great comedic moments.

Yes, this is one of those "Feel Good" movies by the end.

But I still found it immensely entertaining!

Napoleon (2023)

What a HUGE Disappointment!

[7/10 · 30 November 2023]

I actually paid to see NAPOLEON in theater with my wife.

I am a HUGE fan of Ridley Scott. And I am an even bigger fan of Napoleon.

So I was looking forward to this movie with much anticipation.

What a disappointment!!!

Ridley Scott is noted for making movies that are too long and that emphasize cinematography and special effects to the detriment of good writing and a good story.

And, unfortunately, this is one of those movies.

The most notable thing about NAPOLEON was indeed the cinematography. It was beautiful and mesmerizing.

The scenes of Napoleon conquering Toulon, Napoleon in Egypt, and later being crowned Emperor of France were particularly well done and compelling.

The WORLD of NAPOLEON and the CHARACTERS are relatively new to most viewers but the PLOT is an old one - one vain man's rise to power with a beautiful muse at his side.

Power means battle and battle means violence - and there are plenty of battles and plenty of violence in this movie, not too much of it gratuitous.

Love means sex but there is not too much sex in this movie (and in fact very little nudity of any kind).

But it's hard to remain mesmerized for two and a half hours. And that's the main problem of NAPOLEON.

This movie is at least 30 minutes too long and perhaps even as much as an hour. That means that the movie drags.

Some Directors are so vain and lack the personal discipline to to cut even a minute of their brilliance, let along 30 or 60 minutes, no matter how much they will drag on the movie.

And, unfortunately, this is one of those movies!

Save yourself the disappointment and either wait for this to appear on Apple+ (in a month or so) or rent it for $2.99.

BUT NOT A PENNY MORE!!!

My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 (2023)

A FEEL GOOD FUN MOVIE TO WATCH WITH SOMEONE YOU LOVE!

[7/10 · 28 November 2023]

I watched this movie because someone close to me told me it was the best of the three movie franchise.

I still consider the first movie the best.

This is one of the FEEL GOOD movies you watch to enjoy it with someone you love.

The scenes of Greece were stunningly beautiful!

And the characters were relatable and even funny at times.

The plot was solid.

The major problem is the writing and tempo of the movie. The first movie had snappier writing and the movie moved along at a faster pace. This one moves slowly, relying on the cinematography to keep the audience engaged.

Good movies are all about good writing!

Great movies are all about great writing!!

Great writing can elevate a weak story or weak acting.

This movie lacked the quality writing to make it Great or even Very Good!

This film could have also used more conflict, complexity & suspense to make the ending more powerful.

Again, it's all about the writing! It's as though some in Hollywood are all about "Good Enough" these days.

Still, I loved the happy ending!

And, yes, I will probably watch the next one - if another one is made.

Expend4bles (2023)

Meh!

[5/10 · 28 November 2023]

I regret the $5.99 I spent to rent this movie.

It was neither very good nor very bad but is without a doubt the weakest of the Expendables franchise.

Ideally, Hollywood strives to make something old but in a new way. This was something old (real old) in the same old (real old) way.

Neither the World the characters occupied, nor the Characters, nor the Plot were particularly new or innovative. Nor was there much character development from the beginning of the story to the end.

The movie suffers from WEAK writing. The early banter between Christmas and Barney was really bad. As was the banter between Barney and Marsh.

And the lines never seemed to get any better with the writers resorting to old and tired cliches.

Good writing can elevate bad acting. But bad writing, however, can't elevate good acting.

Not that the acting was that great. Even Andy Garcia, who I admire, had a substandard performance. Not his fault. Blame the writers. And the producers and directors too much in a hurry to make a fast buck to try to improve this story.

Why was Dolf Lundgren even in this movie? He was a non entity for most of it.

Best scene in the movie? When Megan Fox appears in the bar at the end in the last scene wear a thin T-shirt and no bra.

Sorry - but here you have it!

Haunted Mansion (2023)

Surprisingly Good!

[8/10 · 18 October 2023]

I didn't expect this movie to be as good as it was based on the reviews

I rate a movie or a TV show on three main criteria.

Did it entertained me?

Did it transport me?

Did it move me?

"Haunted Mansion" did all these things.

Plenty of Conflict & Complexity here!

Some very nice Twists & Turns! For example, a ghost that terrifies other ghosts!!

We all know how this story has to end but, once again, the journey getting there is fun!

Loved the Ghost vs Ghost battle!

Love the Actors - some new and some oldies but real goodies!

I Loved the Characters!

Loved the Story!

Loved the Haunted Mansion World!

Great Ending!!

This movie is worth your while! Check it out!!

Renfield (2023)

Surprisingly Good!

[8/10 · 17 October 2023]

I am not a Nicholas Cage fan, although I was very impressed with his movie "Kill Chain".

And I am impressed once again with Nicholas Cage as Dracula! He plays the role WONDERFULLY!

My favorite line of the movie? When Dracula tells the rebellious Renfield: "I am the victim here!"

This is a well written movie, endlessly amusing (though also endlessly gory). The story is infused a great deal of conflict, surprisingly complexity, and lots of wicked twists & turns.

It's also filled with some great characters and wonderful actors. No weak link there!

We can all guess the end, but getting there is so much fun.

A Big Bravo for "Renfield". Can't wait for the sequel. Because there has to be a sequel. After all, Dracula can't die - can he?

The Winter King (2023– )

A MAJOR DISAPPOINTMENT!

[7/10 · 28 August 2023]

I love historical works.

And I love the works of Bernard Cornwall - who I think is a brilliant writer!

But the writers of the first two episodes of THE WINTER KING have missed the mark. The first two episodes fail to hook the viewer early (or even later).

The Arthur character appears for the first few and last minutes of the firsts two episodes. The writers have failed to place him at the center of the story. Perhaps they thought it would build suspense. It doesn't.

As a result we are left with many back and other stories, all far from Arthur.

Furthermore, most of the story drags on with the viewer wondering how long until something happens. And when it does happen it does so in a predictable way with few plot twists & turns.

There could have been much more complexity and conflict in both episodes. As it is, there is little here that is compelling.

I watched more from curiosity than anything else.

These first two episodes could have been done in a single episode with Arthur at the center.

I will watch the third episode when it posts simply because I have a rule to watch three episodes of a new TV series before throwing in the towel. But I'm warming up my throwing arm.

The Winchesters (2022–2023)

BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD FOR SOMETHING MORE SUPERNATURAL!

[6/10 · 4 July 2023]

Good writing can elevate mediate mediocre acting.

Bad writing can't save weak acting.

Based on the first episode alone, this series lacks both good writing and strong acting.

I have a rule to watch three episodes of anything new before quitting. But I quite after finishing the first episode. I simply don't have the time to waste. So many good series out there. So little time.

What makes a series compelling? What hooks us? Believable characters in which we can invests emotionally is at the top of the list.

What are some others? Conflict. Complexity. Intrigue. Set Ups and Pay Offs. Twists & Turns.

The first episode lacked almost all of these. The writers seemed in a hurry to just get to the end. A good show should push to move forward relentlessly. But not before hooking us. And this show didn't do that.

Too many wasted opportunities. I don't remember Sam & Dean having such an easy time defeating a demon. But here, it's WHAM, BAM, THANK YOU DEMON! Not once or twice but three times. Those were missed opportunities to create tension & intrigue.

And what about the characters? Sam & Dean were almost personality opposites. Here, Mary could have used a bit more brooding (like Sam) and a lot less Little Miss Sun Shine. Her warnings to John to just stay away ring pretty hollow and even shallow.

And could this gang be even MORE Scooby Doo than it is? Van. Hippy. Cute gal. Brainy gal. College boy (or in this case, Soldier Boy).

So, yes, one gets the impression that this series was a made for young teenagers and not adults. Yet it was adults that made Sam & Dean such a hit.

What happened to the writers? Was it a lack of money? Good writers means spending good money. And clearly that wasn't the case here.

This episode moved way too fast. And it had the opposite feel of SUPERNATURAL cinematically as well. Darker shots. Darker tones would have worked better here than all that outdoor sunshine.

Too much light and your cheap, fake monsters start to look, well, cheap and fake.

How did this series last an entire season? There's practically nothing serious about it. Not the writing. Not the acting. Not the sets. Not the music. (OK - maybe some of the music.)

The ONLY highlight was seeing Dean again at the end. And THAT'S your hook??!!

Sorry, but it's simply not enough. I couldn't believe in these characters. Nor invest in them emotionally.

So back to the drawing board - for another stab at something more SUPERNATURAL.

Or better yet - BRING BACK SAM & DEAN!!!

Black Adam (2022)

OH LOOK! ANOTHER (LAME) SUPER-HERO MOVIE!

[6/10 · 17 December 2022]

Best Quote: "Go and protect international stability someplace else!"

When everyone is a superhero - no one is a superhero.

I won't pay to watch a new superhero movie in a theater but will watch it for free on HBO Max or even pay a rental price of $3.99.

Why? We are reaching the stage in the DC Universe where EVERYONE IS A SUPERHERO. AND IT'S REALLY GETTING LAME!

What the world needs now - is NOT ANOTHER (LAME) SUPERHERO MOVIE!

BLACK ADAM pits a SUPERMAN like blast from the past against the JUSTICE SOCIETY (NOT THE JUSTICE LEAGUE) - A SECOND STRING group of NOT-SO-SUPERHEROES.

And against an EVIL SUPERSIZED DEMON.

Interesting how when it comes to protecting the lives of the evil villains from Intergang - the Justice Society is all "Due Process" but when it comes to Black Adam its: "Kneel or Die!"

Anyone else besides me see the disconnect?

The Justice Society isn't interested in the evil being perpetrated by Intergang and are nowhere to be seen. However, as soon as Black Adam makes an appearance to battle (and kill) intergang - they are there in a flash.

What ensues is battle after battle.

TOO MANY SUPERHERO MOVIES MEANS ITS GETTING HARDER AND HARDER TO WRITE OR COME UP WITH SOMETHING NEW OR EVEN SOMETHING OLD IN A NEW WAY.

There are strong echoes of THE X-MEN in this movie.

And it looks like Black Adam will be sticking around to battle Superman.

What's new about that? EVERYONE HAS BATTLED SUPERMAN!

Bullet Train (2022)

A CRAZY BUSY & ACTION PACKED MOVIE!!

[9/10 · 12 December 2022]

I LOVE movies filled with action!

And I LOVE shoot-em-ups!!

And who doesn't LOVE a story that TAKES PLACE in JAPAN filled with YAKUZA like characters who FIGHT their battles with SAMURAI SWORDS?

This is an ACTION PACKED and CRAZY BUSY movie which takes place on a highspeed Japanese train.

BRAD PIT is BRILLIANT as they agent trying to accomplish his mission while avoiding violence (as much as possible).

And JOEY KING is ABOLUTELY NAUGHTY as the SCHEMING & MURDEROUS little girl.

BULLET TRAIN is FILLED with MANY WICKED TWISTS & TURNS & LOTS OF IRONY!

It's also filled with MANY, MANY BAD GUYS, a COUPLE OF GOOD GUYS, and some BAD GUYS THAT BECOME GOOD GUYS.

In the end, GUNS & EXPLOSIVES (along with FAST MOVING TRAINS & TRUCKS) TRUMP SWORDS.

Hansan: Rising Dragon (2022)

A SPECTACULAR MOVIE!

[9/10 · 12 December 2022]

I LOVE great international movies!

And I LOVE historical movies based on real events!!

I am particularly fond of Korean films of the historical genre.

HANSAN is based on an actual naval battle between Japanese invading forces and defending the defenders of Joseon (modern day Korea).

Intent on conquering China, the Japanese first had to invade and conquer Joseon in the 1590s. They came very close to success.

However, the navy of Joseon, which included heavily armored and armed "Turtle" ships stood in the way of the Japanese navy and final conquest.

HANSAN is well written, well acted and ACTION PACKED!

I loved the ATTENTION TO DETAIL with regard to Joseon and Japanese culture - especially the clothes, armor, and weapons of individual soldiers and their commanders, and the naval vessels of both sides.

HANSAN is another Korean historical film I will add to my collection.

Willow (2022–2023)

COME ON DISNEY - YOU CAN DO SO MUCH BETTER THAN THIS!!!

[6/10 · 1 December 2022]

THIS RATING IS BASED ONLY ON THE FIRST EPISODE AND MAY CHANGE FOR THE BETTER!

WHAT A LET DOWN AFTER ALL THE ADVERTISING HYPE!!!

This is LESS THE LORD OF THE RINGS and MORE THE WHEEL OF TIME - but not as good even as the latter.

Ten minutes into the first episode I almost gave up on this series. The WRITING IS WEAK, THE ACTING, WEAKER, THE TEMPO, SLOW, AND THE SETS, ARTIFICIAL.

IS THIS SERIES LACKING A SERIOUS BUDGET?

But I have a rule never to give up on a series until I watched three episodes (unless it is truly horrible in which I give up within the first ten minutes).

The ACTION PICKS UP when the CASTLE is ATTACKED and the PRINCE TAKEN.

THAT got my ATTENTION!

A FELLOWSHIP is formed (of course) and the STUNNING SCENERY AND LANDSCAPES are strongly REMINSCENT of THE LORD OF THE RINGS as the group rides off to find the SORCERER WILLOW.

The REQUISITE ATTACK (by Bone Reavers) takes place and most of the band escape.

WILLOW IS FOUND - AS IS THE LONG-HIDDEN EMPRESS OF THE EMPIRE.

ALL VERY LINEAR - WITH NOT TWISTS AND NO TURNS!!

WHO APPROVED THIS SERIES RELEASE?

ARE THERE NO INTERNAL CRITICS WITH EYES TO SEE AND EARS TO HEAR?

UNLESS the following episodes are considerably better than the first, NOTHING CAN SAVE THIS SERIES - not even the now requisite same-sex romance.

Wednesday (2022– )

INTRIGUING AND STRANGELY COMPELLING - FOR YOUNG & OLD ADULTS!

[9/10 · 28 November 2022]

From Director Tim Burton comes a new Netflix series "Wednesday".

Something old - "The Addams Family" - presented in a very new way!

Think "The Addams Family" meets "Supernatural" meets "Harry PotteR" Hogwarts school.

My Logline; "Wednesday Adams, daughter of Gomez and Morticia Addams, finds herself an outcast in a school of outcasts at Nevermore School, her parents alma matter. Experiencing visions and a violent murder, Wednesday soon finds herself investigating a monster in the nearby woods and a school hiding many secrets."

I thought this might be a series for young teens but soon found it intriguing and oddly compelling. All the family members from the Addams family are here, with Katherine Zeta-Jones playing Morticia, Luis Guzman playing Gomez, and that wonderful actress Gwendoline Christie (of "Game of Thrones" fame) playing a shape-shifting school principal.

There are strong echoes of "Supernatural", especially in the Harvest Festival scene, and of Hogwarts school in the Botany Class scene in this series.

This is a wonderfully written, spectacularly cast, well-acted, and beautifully filmed series, which can be enjoyed by young and older adults.

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)

TOO MANIC IN ITS TEMPO! TOO DARK IN ITS CONTENT!!

[7/10 · 25 November 2022]

BEST LINE OF THE MOVIE: "IT'S OVER!" (END CREDITS)

Disney+

Based on financial figures, this movie was a tremendous success, costing some $200 million to make and raking in almost $1 billion.

The timing was certainly fortuitous. People were tired of COVID Pandemic quarantine and ready to enjoy a good movie.

But I found this movie TOO MANIC IN ITS TEMPO and filled with TOO MANY CHARACTERS who simply didn't need to be there.

I also found it VERY DARK in its content.

Having said all of that, I must admit that I watched this movie on Disney+ and didn't have to shell out big bucks to see it.

I am not a huge fan of superhero movies in general (but did enjoy "Wonderwoman", "Aquaman", and "Black Panther") and Dr. Strange in particular (although I did like "Wandavision").

The superhero movie genre is getting overdone with everyone being a superhero. And when everyone is superhero, then no one really is. I am tired of crusaders in capes and tights and prefer my heroes in uniform - military, police, fire and medical scrubs.

Miss Scarlet & the Duke (2020– )

JUST A NOD AND A SMILE! AN INTERESTING & COMPELLING PERIOD PIECE!

[8/10 · 21 November 2022]

PBS Masterpiece

I LOVE period pieces.

And I'm a big fan of PBS Masterpiece and British series.

Just finished watching the first episode of "Miss Scarlet and the Duke" on PBS Masterpiece. The Logline might read:

"Following the death of her father, a young woman with a knack for solving crimes in 19th Century England assumes ownership of her father's private detective business and must compete in a man's world to survive financially."

I find the first episode started a bit slow (as British series tend to do) but then gained momentum and became quite compelling. I liked a great deal about this period piece, one being that although her father, to whom she was very close, has died, he appears to Scarlet in her office, which I believe will be a regular occurrence.

What I learned from this series: SHOW DON"T TELL

The best scene was at the end when a young woman committed to an insane asylum is released due to the efforts of Scarlet. She stands outside the asylum doors and composes herself. She looks across the street and sees Scarlet and knows, without any words, the reason for her liberation. No words. Just a nod and a smile.

I look forward to making my way through two seasons of "Miss Scarlet & the Duke".

Moon Knight (2022)

HUZZAH - A WONDERFUL SERIES - WITH MUCH THAT'S NEW!!!

[8/10 · 15 November 2022]

"Are you and Egyptian Super Hero? Yes, I am!"

This if my favorite line of this limited series.

Disney+ has taken something old - the Superhero genre - and added something new; NOT ONE but TWO EGYPTIAN SUPER HEROS!!

Furthermore, it has given us a Superhero with multiple personalities!

I love the LOCATIONS - London and Egypt.

I loved the CHARACTERS - Good and Bad.

I loved the STORY - Good vs Evil but with a twist.

And I loved the WICKED TWIST at the end!

"Moon Night" has strong echoes of "Gods of Egypt" and "The Mummy" and weaker ones of "Pirates of the Caribbean" (the weird one where Jack Sparrow is trapped in Davy Jone's Locker) and Wonder Woman 1984"

HUZZAH - A WONDERFUL NEWS SERIES - WITH MUCH THAT'S NEW!!

The Two Jakes (1990)

A GOOD FILM - BUT NOT A GREAT FILM!

[7/10 · 15 November 2022]

I watched this because I'm a big Robert Evans fan, having just watched The Offer" and listened to his audiobook "The Kid Stays in the Picture".

Evans is the creator and producer of two of America's greatest films (according to the Library of Congress); "The Godfather" and "Chinatown".

"The Two Jakes" is part two of what was supposed to be a three-part series beginning with "Chinatown". The third film has yet to be made.

"Chinatown" is about water rights and corruption. "The Two Jakes is about land rights and corruption.

Jack Nicholson directed "The Two Jakes". I agree with those who say that the cinematography is great, but the story moves along a bit slow.

Might it be because the film was made more than thirty years ago and life then moved a bit slower than today? Perhaps.

Still, the film might have benefitted from cutting some of the longer shots by a few frames to increase the tempo. Directors seem to have a tough time cutting their films.

"The Two Jakes" has an explosive ending, literally and figuratively.

I'm glad I watched it as I wanted to see how Robert Evans and Jack Nicholson wanted to further develop the "Chinatown" story.

Werewolf by Night (2022 TV Movie)

LET'S GET RID OF THE WEREWOLF CHARACTER AND MAKE THIS ABOUT TED!!

[8/10 · 9 November 2022]

How do you rate a TV series or movie?

I rate them based on how they make me feel at the end.

Yes, I consider WORLD, CHARACTERS & PLOT.

CONFLICT & COMPLEXITY. SETUPS & PAYOFFS. TWISTS & TURNS.

But in the end, I ask myself: "HOW DO I FEEL? WAS I ENTERTAINED?"

And WEREWOLF BY NIGHT is definitely ENTERTAINING..

I love the MONSTER NOIR genre of the film. The black and white cinematography, taking the viewer back to a younger day of film and monster movies. Until it EXPLODES into BRILLIANT COLOR.

I LOVED the CHARACTERS and STORY.

What this film missed on WEREWOLF makeup & costume (I've seen better - much, much better, many, many times) it more than makes up with the MONSTER TED.

I LOVE TED! He's brilliant in so many ways!!

SOLITAIRE? SUSHI? BRILLIANT!!

SO - LET'S GET RID OF THE WEREWOLF CHARACTER AND MAKE THIS SERIES ABOUT TED!

YES! AM I RIGHT?

BRILLIANT!!!

Jurassic World Dominion (2022)

SUCH A GOOD MOVIE! BUT SO DISTURBING IN SO MANY WAYS!

[9/10 · 31 October 2022]

I LOVE DINOSAURS!

AND I LOVE JURASSIC PARK / WORLD MOVIES!!

And I LOVE THIS MOVIE! I've seen them all!!

ALL THOSE DINOSAURS!

And they're AT THEIR BEST EATING BAD GUYS and other BAD DINOSAURS!!

THIS MOVIE HAS SO MUCH THAT MAKES IT A GOOD MOVIE!

Lots of ACTION! Lots of CONFLICT!! Lots of GOOD GUYS & BAD GUYS!!!

And LOTS OF DINOSAURS!!!

But they're SO MUCH about this movie that's SO (SO) DISTURBING in SO (SO) MANY WAYS!

All those EVIL SCIENTIST, disguised as BENEVOLENT BENEFACTORS to society.

You recognize them as BILLIONAIR CEOs. Trying to CHANGE FOR THE BETTER - or so they tell us.

Where is the line between TRUST and OVERSIGHT?

Whose monitoring all those scientists and others conducting GENETIC EXPERIMENTS?

This s is a GREAT MOVIE that ENTERTAINS AND makes you wonder where HELL are the REAL HEROESthat are going to take on all those RERAL EVIL SCIENTISTS intent on changing the world FOR THE BETTER (e.g. Their bottom line).

All Quiet on the Western Front (2022)

A BEAUTIFULLY TOLD STORY, DARK & DEPRESSING!

[8/10 · 31 October 2022]

This is a beautiful movie in terms of cinematography and acting.

It is, however, extremely DARK & DEPRESSING.

Like the book on which it's based and the first movie, this film is a tribute to the HORRORS & FUTILITY OF WAR.

I found the MUSIC STARK & GLARING in places preventing the viewer from falling too in love with the characters & story.

The contrast between filthy, starving soldiers on the frontlines - living amongst corpses & rats and covered with filth & blood - and their Generals living in immaculate Chateaus, wearing clean & pressed uniforms, and dining on the finest foods & wines is equally glaring and disturbing.

Even as the Armistice is being signed by a German delegation, a German General orders his soldiers to charge one more time for the Glory of German. And they do. And most are slaughtered.

War is war. Be it the First World War or the current Russo-Ukrainian War. Filled with HORROR & INHUMANITY & NO REAL WINNERS.

House of the Dragon (2022– )

AN EXTREME DISAPPOINTMENT! ONLY THE DRAGONS SAVE THIS SERIES!!

[8/10 · 22 October 2022]

The ONLY reason I gave this eight stars is because of the Dragon scenes.

I was EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED by this series.

It's DARK. VIOLENT. And BRUTTISH.

(It's also LITERALLY DARK. Where was this series filmed - in an enormous closet?)

Most of the episodes move along at a snail's pace, giving it a PLODDING feeling. That's because too many of the SCENES are TOO LONG, DRAGGING DOWN the TEMPO.

Either POOR WRITING or POOR DIRECTING are to blame.

I suspect that some DIRECTORS are SO IN LOVE with what they've shot they REFUSE TO SHORTEN any scenes to move the episode along more briskly. As a result, the series suffers.

The BEST PART, of course is THE DRAGONS! They are perhaps the ONLY SAVING GRACE of this series.

We CANNOT GET ENOUGH of the DRAGONS. But it's appropriate that the series shows them a little at a time, lest we get tired of seeing them.

But WHO? (yes, WHO?) EVER gets TIRED of SEEING DRAGONS?

Let's hope the next season (because, of course, there will be another season) is BETTERN WRITTEN, BETTER DIRECTED, AND USES BETTER LIGHTING!

The Offer (2022)

A Feast for the Eyes & Brain!!!

[10/10 · 21 October 2022]

Could ANYTHING be better than the movie "The Godfather"?

Perhaps not. But Paramount + "The Offer" is close!

THE WORLD: "The Offer" transports us back to the 1970s - the clothes, the cars, the movie stars, the music - and the making of one of the most famous movies in all time, Paramount's "The Godfather".

THE CHARACTERS: "The Offer" is filled with a myriad of WONDERFUL CHARACTERS - Famous movies stars, Directors, Producers, Writers & Singers and many (many) others.

THE PLOT: A struggling Paramount Studios needs another hit movie after a long list of dismal failures. But the Mafia (and certain pissed off Mafia associated famous singers) will do EVERYTHING possible to keep the movie from being made.

The Mafia scenes are some of my favorites. But I also enjoyed the scenes with Director Franscis Ford Coppola and writer Mario Puzio bringing the movie to life on the written page and on the screen.

IN SHORT: This series has EVERYTHING and is a feast for the eyes and brain!

The series ALONE makes my Paramount+ subscription worth it!