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Reviews
Chimerica (2019)
Preposterous plot, shoddy production.
This series was very well reviewed by the "quality" British press. I have no idea why.
Essentially this is the story of an indulged white American who gets to lie and treat others terribly yet still get treated as a hero.
The plot has at best one good idea that it only reveals at the last moment (this idea is all that raises it up to 2/10 for me). Logic is ignored on multiple occasions which makes it impossible to engage with the characters.
Casting is poor with characters that do not look like their supposed ethnicities and who are completely the wrong ages, with some pretty weak acting to boot.
The photo of a lone man challenging the tanks heading for Tiananmen square is iconic. Surely it can inspire better television than this?
Bill (2015)
Something of an indulgence
Can't help but feel that the motivation for making this was Shakespeare's anniversary rather than the strength of the storyline.
The ensemble cast are excellent in Horrible Histories and I enjoy their individual comedy outings too. This is not in the same vein. It raises a chuckle but is not a comedy, and it is not a family film either. It has the whiff of an exercise in ticking boxes.
There is a strand of a plot in there, but a lot of it becomes muddled and there is an unnecessarily juvenile aspect to some of the humour. VReminds me a little too much of the sixth-form common room. Production values are good, as are the performances. But it is essentially forgettable, whereas Horrible Histories is a work of genius.
Dune (1984)
Simply dreadful
Listen internet, I know you like to use your mysterious powers to rewrite cultural history to suit the geeks... but DUNE is beyond salvation.
This film makes no sense whatsoever. In fact it may be only film I've seen where the addition of voiceovers, audible thoughts and flashbacks/visions actually makes the film harder to follow.
No doubt there is an amazing story behind the production of this film - a story I only know a tiny part of. But judging by some of the dreadful footage that was shot and used in the final edit, I doubt that there was a masterpiece lost on the cutting room floor.
The production design is the only positive aspect of the film - I like the costumes and the interior set designs. Most of the exteriors look cheap though, and don't get me started on the vaginal imagery, clumsy religion and shouting weapons...
Fair play to the cast for keeping a straight face. David Lynch was wise to disown it!