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Reviews
Fellow Travelers (2023)
Thank You Matt Bomer and Jonathan Bailey!
At 81 years old (born 1942) I'm younger than the characters portrayed (a WW II vet in 1950's to '80's) - but can relate. In 1954, with the Army-McCarthy hearings being broadcast on all 3 networks (that's all we had in those days) at 12 yrs. Old, the young question is - "why are we fighting amongst ourselves " and why can't we get regular programming? (and "why are they after me ?"- even then I knew I wasn't attracted to the opposite sex). So - many years later -having survived, thru those years that you could be arrested for being gay - until now - and having Matt Bomer and Jonathan Bailey bring to life those years - well - that's extraordinary. Thank you! You can quibble about production values, acting (all great), factual accuracy (and I did), but overall - it was great. I've seen all episodes - some good, some great (2nd to last) - wow. Thanks Matt Bomer (always loved you since "Chuck" and especially "White Collar") - but I also have a new love - Jonathan Bailey. Let's have some wine.
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023)
Way Too Long
They could have told the story in 1 and a half hours - cut 40 minutes off. Didn't have the same "feel good" spirit of the first. CGI fight scenes were just flashes of light - going on way too long. The villain Spot should have been more thoroughly explained - Spidey caused him?? The Central Spider Control sequence should have been more developed - more info on "Hobie" and the avatar would have been nice. Uh - I guess what I'm asking for is a little more emphasis on character development. If that had been done and had been the reason for the length - the over 2 hours would not have been a concern. Spider against Spider - ech! So - they left an obvious "to be continued". And in a couple of years when the sequel is available for streaming - I guess I'll watch to see what happens and see if I don't start to doze off and the have to rewind to make sure i didn't miss something.
Only Lovers Left Alive (2013)
Why Review a !0 Year Old Movir?
Why? Because when I don't like a movie, I let it go and go on with my life. The reason I started to watch? Because it was described as a vampire movie! Yes! I love vampire stories. The description of this movie was that staid vampires, living a stress free life, are interrupted by the intrusion of a carefree disruptive sister vampire. Ok! That's a universal story premise - and with "A" actors Tim Hiddleston, Tilda Swinton, John Hurt, etc. - sounded like something interesting. What a mistake. Long (long, long, long) boring stylized scenes (I fast forwarded - waiting for some action). So - why review and not let it go? I came on IMDB to check out the reviews (which I sometimes do BEFORE watching a movie) and saw a bunch of rave reviews??? So - I had to give a review - to warn the next vampire enthusiast - even if this review is buried under 300 others. Would be nice if the most recent reviews were listed first.
The Ark (2023)
Stay With It.
If you read the reviews - you might notice all the bad reviews (1-3 stars, etc.) are from Feb. - March - the first couple of episodes. I kind of understand - I was underwhelmed (not that bad _ maybe a 5/6 would have been it) - but I stuck with it. It just kept getting better. Just finished watching the season finale - last 3 episodes in one sitting.- because I was interested in what was happening - treated it like a 120 minute movie. I hope it gets renewed - want to know if the future of humanity is going to survive - dependent on beneficence of the evil? (maybe/maybe not) of the leader of the other Ark (yes - there is another Ark - spoiler?).
Oegye+in 1bu (2022)
What a Fun Ride!
I felt that I had not been making use of Prime - what with all the other streaming out there. Let's check out and see what movies are available - without having to pay extra. Settled on Alienoid (never heard of it) - based on the brief description - fantasy, magic, aliens, etc. - right up my alley. Started watching - with the intention of turning it off if wasn't interesting. Bam! Right from the start I was hooked - medieval Oriental magic (wasn't sure of the country) - fighting alien possession - when in middle of the fight - a jeep comes plunging thru a time wormhole - and robots pop out! Let's settle in for a ride. Throw in spaceships fighting (poor city gets major damage) - the action is nonstop. And it's Part One - to be Continued! Liked the humor and personality of the robot Thunder.
R.I.P.D. 2: Rise of the Damned (2022)
Just what I needed!
After having a bad day - settled down to watch something. Didn't want something too serious - or overly silly. Scrolling thru the selections - came across R. I. P. D 2 - remembered I had watched the first one and enjoyed it. Had read 1 bad "professional" review of this #2 awhile ago in a paper (or on line) - but so what. Started watching - only to realize - Hey - that's Jeffrey Donovan behind that mustache. OK! Let's have fun. This was just what was needed to lift the spirit - after a gloomy day. Actually got to see Jeffrey smile - I don't think he does that much with his role on the new "Law and Order" - not a regular watcher of that show nowadays - but watched his first few episodes.
Babylon (2022)
Better Pacing - editing - whatever
Tells a story on early Hollywood- transitioning from silents to talkies.
I hate these overlong shots - supposedly to mean something meaningful. The movie should have been edited to run 30 to 45 minutes less. It has some meaningful moments - the gossip columnist (Jean Smart) - basically telling our faded star (Brad Pitt) - that he is immortal - since long after he is dead - his performance lives on (so true0 -(should have added that in her case - she will be forgotten - who remembers Hedda and Luella, etc. - or their images on film?). This is reference to the # 1 silent star of the time - John Gilbert - who faded away with talkies - because of his high pitched voice. Or our star (Brad) telling his current female (a Broadway actress) that the movies are just as an important art as her live performances of the "classics"). Wow - our actress - Margo - gives what she can to the role - Bravo - but basically the role was just for flash. I'm just wishing for a better presentation of the early years of movies.
We Have a Ghost (2023)
Best of 2023 - so far
What to watch? Tried "Somebody I Used to Know" - after 5 minutes - vulgarity trying for hipness - good by! Tried "Shotgun Wedding - slapstick silliness - 5 minutes - goodby. Let's try "We Have A Ghost" - OK! A straightforward presentation - let the plot develop. A ghost trying to be scary, a kid feeling estranged from Dad, car chase reminiscent of Burt Reynolds "Smokey" chases, mystery to find why he died (he can't remember what happened), with modern tech as an assist. Plus, coming of age awkwardness. Performances are great. David Harbour is great (without saying a word), future stars Jahi Winston, Niles Finch (of "This Is Us"), Isabella Russo - all great - with an assist from Tig Notaro.
National Treasure: Edge of History (2022)
Way Too Many Negatives - 4th episode Mr. Cage appears! It's the movie everybody has been waiting for!!
Wow - so many downers. Watched first 3 episodes - enjoyed them for what they were - not a Romcom - but youngsters working together trying to solve a puzzle about a possible treasure. - from ancient history - of national importance - involving our country's historical documents. Now - I'm watching the 4th episode - and had to check if I was watching the same show. Gone are the youngsters - and here in all his original movie glory - Nicholas Cage - and all the shenanigans and trickery and double crossing that - I guess - all his rabid followers of the original movie are clamoring for! A new episode will appear in January - so I guess all the naysayers should watch and reevaluate the whole of the show. Also, nice to see that Catherine Zeta-Jones is showcasing her evil side (along with Breeda Wool - of "Mr. Mercedes"). What more to say - how many is 600 words before a review can be posted. Just to say - give it a shot - it's not as bad as the 1, 2, 3 (etc.) star reviews give it.
The Recruit (2022)
Entertaining enough
If you buy into the idea that a new employee in the lawyer dept. Of the CIA goes flying around the world with no supervision or any idea of what he's doing, I guess it's entertaining enough. Watched the first 2 episodes - not a must see to follow. Too many other streaming shows to investigate. Will follow up on third and following episodes when I get the time. The lead actor is impressive enough. You know the non CIA affiliated roommates are going to be put in peril in upcoming episodes. The sleep deprived associate who doesn't want to help - but does - is going to be a major asset I would have stopped earlier - but the website said my commentary was too short. Thank you.
The Batman (2022)
Eh!
Heard it was long - glad I didn't pay to see in theater - thank you HBO Max. Don't think there was any daylight action - very dark movie. Story line was nice to follow - but the Batman was just reading lines - there was little emotion allowed. Reminded me of "just the facts" dialog of 1950's Dragnet.
The Protégé (2021)
Maggie Q!!
Maggie Q! Always have to check what Maggie is in - and to have Samuel L Jackson, Robert Patrick - and Michael Keaton (doing some Batman type action - with a tilt of the hat to Mr. And Mrs. Smith") - well - it was time well spent. Who dies - and who doesn't??
West Side Story (2021)
Impressive!
Yup - I'm old enough to have seen the original 60 years ago - would have given it 10 stars also. This new version also deserves 10 stars. Excellent update!
The Power of the Dog (2021)
Eh!
Eh - long drawn out - slow pacing - nice scenery.
Should have been cut by at least 45 min - slo
w pacing. Did leave one with questions - was it deliberate or an accident. The hides were not prominent to the storey prior.
Red Notice (2021)
Bits of this, bits of that
OK - so I read the negative reviews - but - so what? Wanted to watch a "buddy" action movie - and that's what i got. But is today's audience so ignorant that they will accept that a 1931 car (a Mercedes - no less) has to be hand cranked to start? Suspension of belief only goes so far.
Mayor Grom. Chumnoy Doktor (2021)
Enjoyable!
Agree with all the positive reviews. The lead actor/title role could be a distant cousin of Timothy Olyphant/Raylan Givens of "Justified" fame - a definite plus.
Seungriho (2021)
Wow!
I started with a "show me" attitude. I use captioning anyhow - so - if you stay with it beyond the first 30 minutes - I think you'll enjoy it. If you can accept a steam driven spaceship - the hi jinks that follow will be rewarding. A lost child, an evil villain, Earth's possible destruction, a spaceship tail gunner in a classic movie space fight? Oh my!