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Reviews
Brawl in Cell Block 99 (2017)
Very slow, throwback.. strong ending
This is a hard one for me because the movie had a strong last 30-45 min but the first hour or so were really slow and hard to get into.
It's meant as a throwback and certainly the sound editing and film style accomplished that.
That said, I think they could have found a way to make the movie move along at a better pace be it through action or stronger dialogue.
If you like watching drama/action movies made in the 80s, you will probably enjoy this. For others, the old school effect make it a hard watch until the end.
Finally, props to Vince Vaughn for pulling of a performance none of us thought we'd ever see from him.
The English (2022)
Incoherent and confusing
The acting and cinematography were strong. The way it was put together with alternating timelines made this series entirely boring.
Introducing new characters 4 episodes in to a 6 episode series, and then spending almost a full episode on those character, was an odd choice.
Both main characters have solid performances individually but lacked any level of chemistry as even friends.
I love westerns and Emily Blunt yet found this entire series almost unwatchable. Literally fell asleep multiple times trying to watch.
Alternating timelines made it all even more confusing and unwatchable. Not sure how one scene connected to the next. Multiple episodes in I couldn't have told ya the direction of the show.
The Killer (2023)
Slow, dull and boring
I have to say this one gets going right away on being boring as hell! A 15 minute intro of virtually nothing happening as we listen to periodic inner monologue that serves more as rambling than insightful.
The rest of the movie is the same... character repeats the same inner monologue over and over in his quest for revenge even though he is the one who messed up.
No character development, no motivation, no connection between characters. Just an emotional less man killing people minus the one person he should kill; the man who actually paid for the target on his head.
The one character we see his connection with, a woman, we learn nothing about her and nothing about their connection.
One of this movies I simply cannot understand how someone wrote, produced and released thinking "yeah, this is a good movie".
The Peripheral (2022)
Good premise but not very cohesive
I really like the idea of what they were going for and the general set up. The last few episodes made it better but the flow throughout the snow was a little disconnected.
Me and my friends kept discussing how it felt like something was missing or not quite right.
Chloe Grace Moretz does well. I enjoyed her performance and the feel of small town southern life. Maybe that's why the snooty upper class British accents came across so harshly compared to the sweet honey of the southern accents.
Not a bad watch though. Easy enough to have in the background but I was never dying to see the next episode.
The Last of Us: Long, Long Time (2023)
This episode isn't needed. Skip it and watch later as a single spinoff episode. Nothing to do with the story.
Two episodes of action and story to suck me in and then they randomly throw this episode in?!
With only one short season, why waste an entire episode on a side story that has nothing to do with the previous episodes?!
You could cut this episode out and it wouldn't effect the rest the show one bit. That's the definition of providing zero value to the story. This would have been a solid spin off episode between season one and two. Something to keep viewers engaged between seasons.
Remove this from the season and the overall rating would be much higher. I appreciate the attempt at humanity but it's so disconnected from the storyline it actually hurts the flow of the snow.
Outer Range (2022)
Incredibly bad
I love modern cowboy shows and the reviews led me to believe I'd be watching a strong show.
The first 4 episodes were ok but intriguing enough. It was all swiftly downhill from there.
Plot lines that dragged on or went no where. Music that made no sense for the scene. A character constantly singing songs despite not having anything more than an ok voice that probably would get two nos and one yes from the American Idol judges. Bizarre and quirky behavior from kit Iole characters, that never gets explained.
The general premise was good but absolutely ruined by attempts to make this deeper and artsy than it needed to be. The show was completely lost in its own creativity.
I have rarely thought a show was done so poorly.
The Forgiven (2021)
No point
I'm not sure what category this movie falls into. Their was no drama, comedy, action, or horror, other than the horror of a terrible plot.
The cast of the movie is tremendous and the trailer and beginning of the movie did a good enough job of leading you to believe it was going to have some tense moments and unforeseen twists but..... NOPE!
It was slow, boring, unimaginative and confusing as to what the intention of the movie was.
Small attempts to poke fun at the upper class, but I found many of the characters likable so that didn't really work.
The only thing that made this movie watchable was the number of solid performances given by a strong cast.
The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (2018)
Classic self indulgence
Watched this movie to the end out of pure stubbornness.
Majority of the dialogue was unfollowable. If the Coen brothers goal was to make a movie extremely disjointed as if it were made in the 30s, they nailed it. Nothing about this movie was appealing or coherent.
Reading the reviews I'm at a loss trying to understand what anyone possibly saw in this movie. I would guess people are following the lead of others. Those who would call themselves "film buffs" don't want to seem like they missed something. I'm a vacuum, this is a horrible and slow grind.
Very poor movie. Not worth watching any of the stories.
Most Dangerous Game (2020)
Great premise/twists, awful directing and execution
The premise of this movie was actually very compelling. And throughout the story there were several plot twists to keep you guessing. Hemsworth and Walz both did solid jobs.
Now the bad parts...
What could have been very action packed and entertaining fight scenes, were ruined by choreography that could have been led by a second grader.
Give this film to a better director and this could have been much better. Throw in a few better supporting actors, and this movie could been an excellent movie.
Like buying a wonderful steak and watching the cook turn your medium rare order into an extra well done travesty.
Ted Lasso: Beard After Hours (2021)
Beware of high reviews
I gave this a 3 and could understand as high as a 5. Anything above that is highly suspicious. This episode had almost zero to do with the Ted Lasso storyline.
Coach Beard is much better as a quirky side story you can laugh with. Making him a main character for an episode was a complete waste and diminishes his overall character.
Halo (2022)
Very entertained minus episode 7
If you've read the reviews by now, you've probably read to skip episode 7. This series introduces a new character outside the Halo storyline and they devote an entire episode to her back story in episode 7. It's completely irrelevant to the Halo journey and should be skipped.
That said, I was impressed with the majority of the special effects and CGI. I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of both.
The acting was fine considering it is mostly a cast of unknowns outside the main characters who have played minor roles in other movies and series.
Going in with modest expectations, I can say I was entertained and watched the entire series in one day.
Halo: Inheritance (2022)
This is not Halo
This entire episode was about a character that isn't a part of the video game. A completely added character and villain and they spent a whole episode on her. We only get 9 episodes and 1 was wasted on a storyline that has absolutely nothing to do with the Halo storyline?
You could honestly skip this episode and miss absolutely nothing. Watch the other 8 episodes and the story will go on seamlessly without this episode.
You Were Never Really Here (2017)
Slow
I'm sure the fans of this movie will say it's "gritty and raw" or that I missed the "nuance" of this movie. To me it was just a slow movie that was only watchable bc Joaquin Phoenix is such a great actor.
Too many long drawn out scenes of silence with odd music in the background. Phoenix says very little the whole movie, same with his co actors.
1883: This Is Not Your Heaven (2022)
Unfulfilling ending
The show seemed to slowly build towards an ending show the Duttons settle The Yellowstone. Instead, you get scenes of the endings for settlers across Oregon but we see no real settling in Montana.
The show provided no closure for the viewer. Even if they do another season that shows the ranch being settled, they still could have given us more settling in the season finale.
The show spent 10 episodes building towards the Dutton ranch being settled and then we got nothing. Poor story telling in my opinion.
Such a great journey with a poorly thought out ending.
Inventing Anna (2022)
Could have done without the constant anti Trump stuff
I actually enjoyed the show but the constant anti Trump references were distracting. They have nothing to do with the show or the storyline.
It's a small thing but it's annoying to watch unnecessary political angles throw in. I wish Hollywood would stop pushing agendas that are unrelated to the story.
This goes for any political angle, from the left or right.
Dolly Parton's Heartstrings: Cracker Jack (2019)
Reminded me of Sandra bullock
Lucy Jane reminded me of Sandra bullock the whole episode. If bullock had played this role, she would have fit right in. Excellent acting.
The other actors did a great job as well. Was a little weird they had a runaway ten year old girl staying with them though. Not sure how that would go over nowadays haha.
Ozark: Fire Pink (2020)
Excellent acting and look into mental health
Tom Pelphrey did an incredible job of portraying a person whose mental is declining as he goes longer and longer off of his meds.
You're angry at him the past few episodes but pleading with him to wise up and not be such an idiot.
Mental health is a huge issue in the world and I'm glad this episode shed light on what happens when people don't get the help they need.
Story wise, what an excellent look into how deep the family has fallen and what a terrible position they are in. I'm angry at the Byrds and feel sympathy for them at the same time.
Great episode at provoking a variety of emotions.
The Power of the Dog (2021)
Worst movie I've ever seen
With all the hype surrounding this movie I was excited to watch. With great reviews and an actor I enjoy, Cumberbatch, I was looking forward to seeing a good film.
If the goal was to write a movie that highlights the everyday boring life on the frontier, this movie nailed it!
No storyline, no plot, no connected dialogue. I don't recall a single meaningful conversation or scene. Virtually every scene feels disconnected from the previous scenes and multiple conversations felt like they still mid conversation with zero point made and zero value added to the story.
This movie was a waste of Cumberbatch's talent. No objective viewer could possibly like this film. Any review suggesting this is a masterpiece or enjoyable, is pure elitist smug pretending to see something that isn't there for the sake of feeling superior.
The Girlfriend Experience (2016)
Hard to rate...
This is hard to rate they completely change characters and storylines from season to season.
Season one was good and I binged it pretty quickly. Season two was unorganized, hard to follow and much more boring. Haven't gotten to season three yet but doubt I will watch it.
I'd recommend season 1 and then maybe season 2 with lowered expectations.
Sweet Sunshine (2020)
Poorly made. Thoroughly enjoyed.
The sound editing was really bad. The acting was pretty poor. The storyline was pretty choppy. The production quality was low. Despite all this, I gave it. 7 somehow. The music was enjoyable and the simple nature of the two leads was quite enjoyable.
Reminds me of the movie "Once" about the making of the song "falling slowly". Low budget production with much higher value for content and feeling. Great voice to the movie.
I think I was able to look past the low budget production and see the story for what it was meant to be. Would love to see this redone by a real studio.
The Walking Dead: The Day Will Come When You Won't Be (2016)
Worst episode I've seen
It's not the worst episode Bc of who and hoe many characters died. It's awful Bc it completely deviated from how the previous 6 seasons have gone. There's been death, struggle and brutality in every season but not to this level. The writers didn't step it up a level, they went from a 6 to a 20.
You like a show and it has a feel even if their are plot twists. This was something different. This went from a drama to a horror. Supremely disappointed.
Army of the Dead (2021)
Headed towards a good rating, falls off a cliff
The first 75% of the movie it looked like it was gonna be a great blockbuster zombie movie. Then the movie falls off a Cliff!
So basically everyone dies and the daughter costs her dad his life, and she walks away with maybe 50k.
Pretty much every death was pointless and unnecessary. Terrible end to a movie that started off so enjoyable!
If the daughter doesn't run to find her random friend, who dies anyway, the dad, pilot and blonde girl would have all lived and maybe a few more.
5/10 is generous.
Black Mirror: Fifteen Million Merits (2011)
Overrated
I don't understand the higher rating on this one. I've watched most of the series and this was my least favorite episode.
Storyline was boring, slow to develop and didn't end with much or a surprise or thriller twist like most have. I invited someone to watch the series with me because I had been raving about it. Sadly I picked the worst episode for her to watch.
Black Mirror: Men Against Fire (2016)
Best episode yet!
I don't understand the lower rating on this one at all! It was my favorite episode yet.
This could have easily been made into a 2 hour Hollywood blockbuster and it would have rocked the box office.
I Care a Lot (2020)
Sneaky good
The movie starts strong, you hate the main character, then an additional character is introduced that makes you choose which of two evils to root for.
As you see the tide change against the direction you likely want the movie to go, you start to get upset but the plot comes back around to an acceptable conclusion.
I thought this movie was headed towards an 8, then it took a turn towards a 5, then finished well, bringing it back to a 7.