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Tár (2022)
Amazing film.
It struck me while watching this, that it had to be a female lead to bring this film home.
If it had been a male, people would have simply stopped listening to the film.
It would have ended at a bad/good, hero/villian, black/white commonality.
A repulsion perhaps, that we indulged ourselves for almost three hours in the seedier side of a lowlife's mind.
Instead, what we have is such a brilliant film.
A film of intense beauty and shameful truth.
I dearly loved this film. For so many reasons.
Even the films reception, it a perfect arc of some of the more subtle and genius themes.
While I watched this film, I realized that probably everyone who will watch this will think of Tar as a monster. Her shaking student at Juilliard represented our hive mind as a society, and what art and genius in particular is up against now ( and what Tar herself was up against and didn't know yet.)
He brings up what to me, seems such a pathetic argument in the face of art. How can we be that narcissistic to disavow art that the artist in question isn't even profiting off of, how can we make art about us and our insignificant feelings?
The answer repeats itself throughout the film.. although Tar shows us that she only sees what she thinks, and doesn't bother to consider what anyone else does at all.
Music is about how it makes us feel.
This movie was such a perfect reflection of the hypocrisy in all of us. A movie of reflections, and denial.
You see most of you are just as horrible as you believe Tar to be. She didn't do anything in the movie that most people would not do.. and do not do. Just with less consequence. How many of us have intentionally lied about an ex lover? How many of us have intentionally hurt an innocent person that's only sin was the way they made us feel?
We see Tar, how she exploits her power- but don't we all to a lesser degree? We use what we have, to use. To fan the interest of a suitor, or possible sexual fling. We tempt who we can with what we have. Don't we?
Tar by herself, was not a monster. She was a brilliant human who was flawed. She was an eloquent truth teller , and just as powerful of a liar. .
By contrast to so much in our society, I don't see her as a monster- unless most of you are. I don't see any of you able to call her out, because I see you do the same exact things on a smaller scale.
But perhaps even more terrible is the fact you don't have the power she wields and therefore you don't share the risk of exposure. So you'll never face the recompense for your actions.
To sum it up, Tar was an intense and beautiful portrait of our society as a whole. A reflection of the values, and denial we are surrounded with. Of what we do to each other.
I loved how Tar could lacerate someone with truth, and did so with so much vigor.
Yet she herself, lived In a manufactured world of denial.
She wasn't able to be honest with herself.
As so many aren't.
And so many of her victims were not.
The Northman (2022)
Not what I expected.
After reading critical reviews I was expecting something visceral and shocking. What I got was not; although worthy despite falling short of assumptions. So first of all- is everyone sober? I feel like films are being produced and reviewed under the haze of mind and mood altering substances... everyone said how brutal and shocking this movie is- it isn't. We have seen ( much) worse in Game of Thrones. Everyone said what a brilliant feat of film making this was; it wasn't. I was more impressed by so many other films as far as making an emotional and mental impact. I liked the style and applaud it- sort of matched with the times - it's meant to bring you back.. and it does. What we do have is a pretty good and extremely realistic depiction of the time in which the film is set and the culture and peoples it represents. I have a huge crush on Skarsgard , I usually love to watch him and I usually always enjoy his choices of movies to be in. But this movie didn't really feel anything .. It doesn't pull you in emotionally and I'm sure he played his part intentionally so- devoid of emotions, devoid of attachment or a feeling investment of any kind - just like our prince. But this is a movie after all, and the filler was not impressive enough to leave out some sort of emotional tug. I read reviews that .. are hard to believe really. There is nothing even remotely resembling what you will read about it here. The chemistry between the two leads is horrible. Terrible. They should have replaced one of them immediately after seeing that. Anna did her part- but what a let down as far as that relationship dynamic and chemistry.. It just seemed ... empty in so many ways. And I also feel like this wasn't the best job from Skarsgard. He shined in some scenes- for example the scenes before the raids are some of the best - at the bonfire. Where the Vikings are getting pumped up and doing there bloodlust dance - those scenes touch you. They pull you in. They attach you to the film and invest you in the outcome- quickly outlived. The scene with the Slavic witch is another stand out scene. After that raid. I think I wished our Prince had more depth, was more interesting - and again I absolutely believe they did that intentionally - and I think it was the wrong choice. And maybe I need to be tempted or lured in emotionally and mentally to really get excited about a film. .. and this film doesn't do that. This film purposely leaves you wanting more , slightly perplexed and wondering what you missed .. I was expecting some horrifically violent epic brutal saga. It's pretty tame for todays standards as far as the violence- and themes- and there are some pretty disappointing aspects to the violence too- for example- our hero won't kill his mother - who basically , you want him to kill. You want him to really mess her up- but again the contradictory character revelations just don't add up and make for some lackluster viewing. All in all, I found it to be ok. Entertaining. Nothing genius or remarkable or profound - nothing even worth remembering or that will be remembered. I actually fast forwarded the last scene at the volcano. I have rated it highly because I love the historical and cultural accuracies , love that we are making at least interesting films, and love that we are making Viking films. I like seeing Skarsgard in anything - although I feel like he wasn't put to very good use here. Anna Joy is always compelling - i like her - she is talented - but I didn't really like her in this role though and felt like it could have been a better film with a different actress - someone who made us love her too. An actress with more charisma. . More depth to her beauty would have been nice. Anna just doesn't have that .. historical beauty or depth- that ancient sort of witch wisdom... her bleach job was also distracting - Would have loved to have seen maybe - someone like Olivia Wilde or anyone who was more ... more. We needed some beauty and there just really wasn't any here. We needed a female lead who could warm a cold dead man's heart. Anna just didn't make me believe that at all. She doesn't have that ..that thing.. whatever that is that makes you believe a man could turn from his entire life's purpose and change in his bones for- I hate to say looks, because it just needed someone more interesting for the part - someone more appealing , someone older maybe? She just didn't fit this role. Im surprised they picked her really - esp with the cast they did. These are all seasoned , older actors with some huge energy and charisma - and Anna just feels out of the time. Too young and sort of washed out by the power houses that surround her. And that was a huge part of the film- it was key. I almost feel like just changing the female lead could have made it a better film.
So to sum it up- it's not violent or visceral or earth shattering . It's not romantic. It's not even fun... it's not brutal or animalistic - it's a simple story that's very old - if you want to watch this movie - understand it's not going to be anything like what you've heard it is. They should have amped up the magic parts , the myths, the mystery, amped up the violence , the love story needed more too... The PR campaign didn't do any favors for this film. In fact I would say it hurt it , to a large degree. You go in expecting to have your mind blown and it's absolutely nothing of the sort. I'm not sure what or who is to blame for that- but we really miss it. This could have been great. Honestly it's ... not.
The Alienist (2018)
Could have been one of the best shows on network cable, but for a few blaring mistakes
All in all, the show is good and I'm giving it a good rating because it's entertaining, the acting is mostly wonderful, and the story exciting whatever - it's entertainment.
The show certainly takes itself very seriously - as we see with a very deliberate score and timing, it almost smells of a new director, with a touch of histrionics , you can see stage leek through the details here.. - but in a good way, like a Hallmark card.
Although there are some glaring mishaps in this series.
Unfortunately , the biggest of these mistakes happens to continue through the entire series.
The worst sin here is the female lead.
The female lead is weak and completely uncharismatic here - next to the acting skills of her partner leads, she is utterly disappointing, and downright distracting in how miscast she is in this role that could have been given life and breath ten times over by a better actress? Watching her, I wasn't sure if it was acting skills, a lack of connection with the role, or being totally miserable or nervous on set ? Who knows. What we do know is, she just is miscast here next to these actors who are, genuinely talented. And giving their all to these roles.
I kept wondering during the entire show- is she playing her like that on purpose? Why? Her voice, her carriage , everything , just wrong. She was completely out of touch with the role and the time. Maybe she just can't hack anything pre 1970. Maybe she just can't really act much... who knows? I don't know. She was blighted here next to her betters. That's terrible to say, but something was so off about her... and they kept her in the role- so was it the directors fault? She just was miscast. Period. The role should have gone to someone who has a spark of that time in them.
The female lead being so miscast in the main role , and a script dumbed down for Americans to understand - really downgrades the entire series here, and keeps it from being one of the great shows. But it's entertaining. The script I thought was sub par, unrealistic, and they even had some parts where the actors, if they used a big word, explained it for the audience.
Makes me sad, that Americans are getting that dumb. But I have to hand it to the actors- except the female lead- they did such a great job, you didn't care.
Everyone else? Bravo! Job well done.
But I'm dying to know who kept The female lead on ? They must have known?
How in the world did that happen? Lol.
I was wondering almost the entire series, what this show would have been like with a better actress who was just more believable in the role.
Avenue 5 (2020)
Humor for smart people
It rarely happens anymore .... comedy for people with IQs upwards of 120- but they did it and did it SO good.
Love this show - And I hate comedy.
Never watch comedy because the ratio of being entertained to being bored is too low. The laughs too sparse, time too wasted.
But this show has me spitting out drinks, choking on my spit and laughing so hard I can't breathe.. tears pouring down my face.
It's almost torturous in how much this show makes you laugh so hard you can't suck air- because it's ALL the time.
Most shows have one great joke an episode - smiles ok.... no- this show is every sentence and scenario has you losing your mind laughing out loud - every character is perfect... to make the most hilarious ensemble show since SNL in the 90s.
This show rocks...
I had to rewind to all the time because I was laughing so hard I missed more laugh out loud jokes.
Bravo to the cast by the way!
Color me impressed.
The Dark and the Wicked (2020)
Well... it's a high quality film production, but..
So good acting, some interesting scenes, some gore, and a general feeling of dread.
As far as plot- two siblings ( maybe half? What was that phone call to the preacher in Chicago about?) come home to take care of their dying dad and sad mom and find their house is possessed by the devil. And that's it.
There is no why, there is no how, there is no resolution. There is no battle of wits or morals or even good and evil. There isn't any reason, or background. You're just thrown into it, just as the characters are.
But this is Hollywood after all. We don't want films that reflect life or reality ; esp when they're about paranormal events.
This I suppose is a realistic take on a family being haunted by a dark and wicked thing.
But as far as entertainment ? As far as a film goes? We want some of that Hollywood flair or else it just falls a bit short - because we have all been programmed to a certain degree to want resolution, to want the why and the mystery solved in a sense.
So when a film gives us none of that ? It just feels shortchanged. Sure we can fill in the blanks.
This could have been a great film. This had all the required ingredients. Of the Highest quality. It just needed a little more flair, a little more story after all-
Sure there is "art house" film, that's like a painting on film. They don't usually have a whole lotta story. But beautiful images and messages in those images. This film isn't an art house film. Not by a long shot. There isn't any if at all messages in this film. It's pretty straight out. Nothing to tinker on.
So if you're not an art house film, then you're a story above all else.
And it almost makes me angry when the writers and directors "forget" that. Because to me, it kinda feels like a cop out. Like we are unwilling to risk failure so we chop the story- because the story after all, is the hardest part to create.
Most films now are redone, or based on books- because real story's are so hard to tell. To create. To be original.
Any college grad can tell you what a good story needs. And this story is missing some major parts.
And in that way, it fell flat.
I hated the strangers. I feel like I should probably say that. Because there was a whole lotta people who loved The Strangers and thought it was the greatest horror film. I was bored to death in the beginning of it and felt like I was drowning in useless back story, and then the end of the film just confirmed that for me. I'm just not impressed with violence ; any one can do violence. It's sort of like sex. Anyone can do sex. A film weighed down with too much of either isn't going to be good, because it's cheap and we all know it. Both The Strangers and this film are fundamentally, inherently vapid.
I guess I saw what could have been here with just a little more effort, little more creativity, little more story. And over all? It was a let down.
Vivarium (2019)
Such a waste of time
The production values , the acting, directing all good and big budget... ( although having this male lead in anything is bad casting as far as I'm concerned. He isn't a bad actor, but as a romantic lead ? No way. The guy has zero charisma and appeal and can't carry a movie ) which is this case means that the entire movie is left to our female lead who is talented and is attractive but this movie really needed a team, a pair to carry the movie. We are after all stuck with these two the majority of the movie. I'm not sure what happened or if the director did it on purpose, but the feeling these two leads leave you with is really terrible. You're kinda hoping that the movie will get good so you don't have to focus on them every scene.
Unfortunately the movie never does get good and the leads get more and more unlikable as the movie lurches forward at a snails pace and nothing of any importance happens at all. Zero. Nothing. They get stuck. They stay stuck.
There is zero point to this movie.
Except to watch the two leads destroy their reputations.
I'm not sure how Jesse Eisenberg keeps getting parts. He must be related to someone or have some well placed friends ...
Save your money.
Don't watch.
Underwater (2020)
If you're up for being completely stressed out for an hour...
I thought this movie was great for what it was. The action is non stop. The stress is palpable. They also somehow invest you in these characters - the director is great.... he pulls you in and never lets go. I mean that as literally as possible. Idk- maybe it's my phobia of deep water but this movie was totally freaking nuts from start to finish.! I mean this isn't a drama it's not emotional , it's not mind blowing . It's an action flick. The science fiction aspect for me just made it cooler and more interesting. I mean for me? When you're digging that deep in the earth, there is no way you're not going to run into something crazy... side note: I read a review and they were saying that it was so unbelievable because they were digging under water. I had no idea that people existed that didn't know this is what almost every developed country does now. Oil anyone?? So yes the underwater drilling is realistic - the water alien? Who knows?
I Know This Much Is True (2020)
Wow.... this is a really beautiful series.
I don't usually like Dramas in general- but for some reason I think because here the actors are soo good and the subject matter is so important to shine a light on- there are just so many different and converging themes here that are all so important to bring to the table.
I think the actors here have done such an exceptional job - I felt like I was really privileged to be able to watch them work. These are extremely talented people coming together to show us these truths.
I mean episode after episode I was just again and again so impressed with the talent on display. I could not understand how they filmed the lead in two totally different roles so seamlessly- till I heard the director mention that they first filmed all of Dominics scenes and then Mark Ruffolo went and gained a bunch of weight and came back and filmed all of Thomas's scenes.
The writing , the directing , the acting - all of it is alive here and truly emotionally devestating and wonderous - I think the only reason I tolerated the drama so well is because the talent is so top notch but also the journey of Dominic - this amazing character arc of tough survivor that has to get weak to survive and evolve resonated with me... I think too- it's a story we all can probably relate to in some way. Just the pain of life becoming increasingly unbearable till we break- but we break to become more whole. More of a person. More alive.
There is just so much here and I highly highly recommend.
I know the people who want fast paced entertainment that is light on the character development and heavy on the laughs and action won't like it.
This isn't a show to watch- it's a show to feel. A show to think about. A show to process ... it's a great work of art and I expect it will get lots of awards.
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (2018)
Super funny and a great distraction from working on Covid Unit!
Every day I work on the covid unit and every night I have been coming home and watching this and I have to say- it has really been wonderful to laugh so hard and be so entertained while going through so much stress!
This is a delightful show- pure entertainment, funny and fast paced.
The acting from the leads is really great. There are some great legendary actors in this show- that have been in the business for decades and they are the biggest treat to watch... Miranda Otto ??? Omg! She is just the star of the show - she is PERFECT here. Also the actress who plays her sister is wonderful too. I think they make the show soo much fun to watch.
All in all- don't believe any complaints from people. I think they took it too seriously to begin with. This show is a comedy. It is very loosely based on paganism in any form, and should not be taken seriously ever.
If you want some very good fun and distracting entertainment - this is it.
I can't thank this show enough. Seriously saved me from multiple panic attacks.
It's wonderful.
3022 (2019)
Maybe if you don't know anything about anything
So let me get this straight... it's 3022, we have the technology to allow humans to live in space for 10 years ( in space for two and your body systems start to die, your muscles become limp, and all sorts of important components like sodium , calcium etc aren't stored or metabolized correctly In space ) of course a lot of those health issues that humans start to have is because of a lack of gravity- but here we have gravity. So that means that the technology is super super awesome. They have a CT scan in space ( nice) so we are talking some high tech space technology. BUT- when there is a crack in the hull - there is no alert - there is no alert to tell them where the damage is or if there is damage at all! That doesn't make any bit of sense to me at all. They lost me at the crack.
Now the responses the team had .. to the event were .... unbelievable at best. They do so much testing for Astronauts psychologically speaking that basically if you're going up in space - you're the best the human race has to offer. These guys are astronauts and soldiers and I just don't suspect that first of all- any of them would ever be in space for a ten year trip at all, if PTSD was an issue for example. The Ten Yard stare happens yes, when you're in shock- or more like when you're recovering from the shock. But to bring on that response you've got to have a severe flood of fight or flight hormones... and the response to those hormones isn't silent ( to say the least)
Idk.... just too many things like that.
Also none of these people would smoke. Smoke in space is just too stupid- beyond the extremely dangerous and life threatening ( they obviously have 02 pumped at all times ) and to think of the technology that they might be using - just highly explosive all around.
Probably the worst part was when she tried to escape and the captain is exposed to deep space without a suit or oxygen and survives without a scrape. I mean he is able to pull her back in and all is well.
Just doesn't happen like that.
Besides his lungs exploding - he would be frozen and frost bitten at the least. Deep coma if he survived with extreme cold burns. What also makes this part hilarious is when he IS outside in space in a suit and she says "you only have a few moments before you risk exposure"
Are we just supposed to pretend like one makes sense and the other doesnt ? Or what.
I also thought that going insane was a poor choice for what would happen... we assume so much and don't really invest too much thought into whatever it is. Americans are terribly bad at that.. and America is probably the only audience that could watch this film and not laugh out loud.
But really? Last people on earth and they go insane?
There are so many more interesting options... but we have probably seen them all. Yeah? The Martian? Anyone?
The truth about people is that the will to survive is programmed in all of us and it's a biological reflex. Stronger than a drive or will. It's something we don't have any control over.
We will survive ... at all costs.
ESP if we were brilliant , mentally strong and healthy. Overall- very stupid.
Sharp Objects (2018)
Amy, you always do this to us. Pick arty roles to show off and the movies are terrible.
Amy, Amy, Amy! You always do this to us. You starred in the other worst movie I've seen, Noctural Animals- if you liked that- you'll like this. I'm not sure if it's you, or your agent, but stop picking boring arty roles to get your acting out.
Some people will love it. My best friend - will love it. Some people will hate it. It simply lacks enough plot and events in the first three episodes that it won't hold their attention.
I've only watched every episode that has been released, and only watched them once.
Some of my impressions were , it's too much and just not enough.
The camera likes to watch Amy drive. And drink. And then settle on stop signs. And a flower patch.
Her memories are thrown in there off and on, little one second affairs that aggravate more than they stimulate. And Led Zeppelin.
It all just seems so on purpose. Not random and absolutely willpowered by the money machine.
For example, our main character has a cutting problem.
Anyone over the age of 18 who has a cutting problem has serious mental problems, but ok. She manages to be completely mentally ill and hold down a job.
She drinks vodka all day long. And she is completely addicted to alcohol. Not in a nice or cool way.
But - somehow she can always hold her alcohol well and never acts stupid. Or acts out.
So just the premise is totally unrealistic for me.
But then, the entire show is like that.
Totally unrealistic.
For example, I Amy's character goes to cutting Rehab. Her sweet little roommate grabs some dDraino and kills her self while there.
Just totally unrealistic.
I think I already know who the killer is too.
Again, totally unrealistic.
But it tries to be cool too.
I can tell this is written by a woman who probably is just guessing - about life, friends, sex and cutting.
The character development is over the TOP. I mean just off the hook. It's so thick you can't breathe, yet they get it wrong over and over again.
As an actress, it reeks of rich people who lack the life experience to accurately tell a story, but who keenly want to entertain and add a table cloth to the picnic.
The try to dress it up. Try to keep it exciting. Try to make it deep and traumatic.
But in the end , it all feels more like swatting at a mosquito.
I think the other people who will believe it at face value are teens in the throes of emotions.
To adults that have lived any amount of life, it will feel like a child's temper tantrum. In the heat. Wearing a nightgown.
Is it worth watching?
No.
You can avoid it and not miss a thing.
Is the acting good? Yes.
It's the writing , it's the characters. It's the bones that are broken here.
The writer who imagined these women, didn't really see.
I don't know. The story unfolds at the speed of a catapillar traveling down a leaf, so maybe at the end of the season , it will make more sense.
But for now, it's just Hollywood. It's just very deliberate and always late. Always the wrong color.
The Big Sick (2017)
The romantic comedy for people who hate romantic comedies.
I hate romantic comedies. I never watch them, I hate them so much. My daughters sometimes rope me into watching them, if I do. I decided to give this one a whirl because I watched NBC Sunday Morning and they interviewed the real couple and real family, and I thought they were all just lovely people, and liked it that it was a true story of a love affair. I think my main complaint with romantic comedies is that they're so fake, right?
The film was wonderful. Any bad reviews here are just people who don't like reality vs Hollywood love. I laughed so much I cried. The main characters are so likeable and so charming in their own imperfect ways, basically it's like hanging out with friends for an hour.
I guess some people don't relate to having relationships with family and friends that are searingly honest, and that might run people the wrong way.
Emily was played so perfectly. Really the laughs alone, are every minute, and I wouldn't recommend watching with a sleeping baby in the room. You'll wake them up!
Mindhunter (2017)
So so good.
Netflix did it again. Best series ever. Writing is amazing, acting is amazing. You won't know that till episode 3, and then you'll be hooked. This is binge worthy, and they didn't dumb it down. That's the real miracle here. It is so hard to find American shows that aren't dumbed down. They made this show nice and tight, and millions of stupid people will miss it. Millions of stupid people will rate it low and complain how bad it stinks and you know what? Don't believe them. See for yourself. If you hate it, just know you're one of the dumb people .. and if you don't hate it, congratulations. You've got something worthy to watch for the next six hours. I'm just flabbergasted that this is so good in every way. Where have these actors been? Where did this writer come from? Amazing. Great stuff. Thank you to all involved. This is Grammy time.
Satanic (2016)
Great for teens
Personally, I don't think movies with high production values should get rated less than a five. When you go under five, you're going into poor production, effects, acting etc. This movie, while money was spent on production ends there. I found the script to be almost annoying .. these main characters are awful. Watching it I thought; I guess this is what people think is cool.. these main characters are supposed to be the "cool kids" making fun of everyone and it is absurd because they seem so lame .. I mean following people around? For fun? What? Yeah, so basically this was written by someone who either has no social life or doesn't know what cool is to save their life. A bunch of annoying , lame characters are so lame that they decide to follow around someone cool. So that is the beginning of the movie. These main characters are so badly wanna be types, like fan boy types of people... so if you can get over how annoying they are - then it gets slightly better with the introduction of interesting characters. But it never fully recovers itself because the main characters continue to be so lame. Oh, the sound track is painful. Seriously . Like I can't even believe the soundtrack made it through final cut. Anyways... the end is super anti climatic too... I thought maybe they could have made it cooler but no... it is really dumb at the end, too.
Nocturnal Animals (2016)
What?
So many times in film, they set out to make a painting. They seem to forget though, that it is a film, not a canvas they are creating. Such is the main problem with this film, or clunker. It is artsy garbage. From the first credits to the last scene. None of it with any power or depth. Just surface and vapid all the way through. The performances were ; Our lead actress didn't penetrate ... you can tell all to easily she is way outside her scope. I could feel her trying so hard and just not able to relate to this character at all. She was acting. Not telling a truth. Jake G was great, his performances are really outstanding lately. This film is no different. Mike what's his name as the gay friend ( or brother) was great. He is such a great character actor... I don't know why we don't see him in more. But overall this film fell so flat. Even the story in the book was outrageous and contrived .. this film is A by-polar mess. With no real message other than the one you heard in the first couple of scenes ... there is no mystery here, no feelings, no point or catharsis. It is just a day out of a horrible woman's life. One line stood out to me more than all the others. At the dinner table the gay friend looks at our viper and tells her , "Our lives are so much better than everyone's else's." I think that was meant as an oxymoron , but essentially he is absolutely correct. I don't think there is anything interesting about spoiled brats considering their spoiled-ness, do you? Being filthy rich is better than being poor. Period. Anything past that needs to be proved, and this movie didn't prove anything. Other than that statement in the end. This film is a terrible story, with awful characters and no feelings attached. Much like the cast of characters .. just empty. Anyone who sees anything else in this is probably lying. Seriously. Just thinking they should like it because it looks cool on the outside. Honestly I fast forwarded through most of it. The retelling of the book scenes - none of them worth the watch. They were so unrealistic that it was dumb. I guess the message of the film was that cold , driven and ambitious women are equal to murderous psychopathic rapists. Which again isn't even close to the truth, but there you have it. Duh.
The Monster Project (2017)
Could have been so good.. but they wanted more than they needed.
Classic example of a good movie gone bad because it had too much human ego involved. The writer wanted more out of this picture than it could give. He wanted a character study , a romance and a drama and found footage horror .. if that sounds like too much, imagine watching it. I was actually bummed because this could have been so good, if they had just stuck to found footage horror. It has great effects and a great plot. The actors are all talented. The production was OK too. The camera work was awful- they needed to clean that up , have it be more straight forward. But for what they were going for - found footage, this could have been so much better. Instead of doing what everyone else does at the end, have everyone scream at the top of their lungs and run around like chicken with their heads cut off. I mean this got so chaotic and bad at the end, the story just instantly evaporated and seriously all you hear for the last twenty minutes is incoherent yelling and shaky is a kind word for what the camera did. The camera work is so chaotic that it is pointless trying to watch it. They could have made such big differences if they had just allowed some actual attacks and gore to be filmed. It would have upped the horror really nicely. Again, a great plot gone bad. Which is such a shame. The end just seems like they ran out of money and got really lazy ... Where else it went wrong? In all the lame sub plots between characters , and as a consequence the characters themselves. I mean maybe with a better script they could have pulled it off. But the end result here is caricatures of identities. We have the junkie who hates himself for getting high ( even though that doesn't happen in real life. If junkies didn't suffer from major denial issue they wouldn't be junkies.) we have the bitchy ex girlfriend who everyone wants to sleep with except she is really not that attractive to warrant the attention . In real life, this girl would be begging for her ex back. We have the Dick jock who is alpha male ( they don't make movies ) and last but definitely the worst of all is the token black guy who talks like super urban kid and is named Jamel ( the kind of black guy that would never hang out with a bunch of white people and in fact, doesn't even exist to hang out with black people) So the movie was ruined by all the useless and frankly irritating character studies and dynamics of their lame relationships and stereo typical personalities. Guys- you should have just made a horror film. Alluded to the issues and kept it subtle and sharp. Also obviously you're racist . Would have helped immensely if the writer actually knew just one black man.
Wonder Woman (2017)
Wonder Woman is to action adventure what Twillight movies were to romance.
I read so many fantastic reviews of this movie. People actually said it was a perfect movie. Maybe if you're 12. The best thing about this film, the only thing, is Gal Gadot. She has a ton of charisma and is amazing as a warrior princess with the mentality of a three year old. I really think, after having watched this, that the film got high ratings because it was supposed to be the feminist hurrah and it is not PC to rate the first and only feminist comic movie badly. But this movie is LAME.
I have enjoyed so many other comic book movies and was looking so forward to this female driven one. Have to say though, right when it started , I had my doubts. They just worsened as the movie progressed. The issues I had with the movie, were a poorly constructed script. Really cheated out there. No big words. But they made the actors act like they were saying big words. Nothing made sense either .. huge plot holes throughout, and especially in wonder woman's origins. That didn't get filled in till the end. But filled in with scraps. The Amazon island - a lesbian paradise filled with all different races , shapes and sizes , butch and femme. Apparently they do not need men to procreate, oh wait, they do, except there is no men and Wonder Woman was sculpted from clay. The island is hidden from everyone except the gods, oh and that spy in an airplane and the German navel command. Secondly ... the acting was pretty wooden which is shocking because of the talent involved. That just means that the script is that bad. My other biggest problem with this movie was that it was just so unbelievable.. not just with actual events , but the characters just seem like caricatures .. I mean I can watch an X Men movie and totally get into it. But for some reason when I see a woman clad in a bathing suit charge across the western front with what must have been hundreds of machines gun shooting at her and only have to dodge three bullets that magically hit her in the bracelets ; it's too much. Just retarded too much. like no way in heck,too much. Other issues? I appreciate diversity just like the next guy. But to have a Native American, and Arab sitting in a bar in England with a Scotsman? During World War 1, no less? Come on. Just too unrealistic and immature ... this is a great movie for teens and kids and tweens and stupid people. I am a big sucker when it comes to ideals and honor - and when Wonder Woman is giving her sermons on the mount about how great mankind is , i literally rolled my eyes. I fast forwarded through most of it just to see the end and find out if there was any god of war. Its that bad. For adults anyways. Just didn't penetrate and didn't feel anything .. the life lessons were dumb too. The entire script seemed written for a third grader. Yeah. Yeah. We all know people suck and we know we aren't going to be better and we are still worth saving kind of thing. Heard it ll before ... like for two thousand years actually. ( hello Jesus) so this was probably the worst comic book movie I've ever seen besides iron man 3. Save your money and rent it for your daughters.
Transparent (2014)
Amazing show
I am shocked at some of these reviewers. This show is so good. The writing , the acting, the characters and their experiences with life. The bond of the siblings. It is really crazy to me that people think this family is so crazy. I think people not like this are crazy;like the life coach... I can relate to how close the sisters and brothers are. Its funny because his girlfriends at least two, always thought it was weird how close we were. Haha... but there is nothing like having a family that lets you be you, and you can really be around people and be free. Anyways, this show is so good. It's heartfelt and emotional, and the acting alone is just so good - everyone on this show deserves an Emmy. Sometimes you get emotionally invested and have feelings. Its wonderful. Give it a shot and don't be one of those dicks that judge and hate ... you know , all of bad reviewers with a stick up the butt as Ali would say. Haha
American Gods (2017)
I like it although some casting flaws.
Soooo this show gets really good.... but I HATE Shadow Moon and his wife... his character is the biggest Debby downer of all time... I fast forward through his scenes , and most of his wives.
They ruined what could have been a great show with the main characters ..
terrible
Love the gay Muslim!!! That's so rad .
Manchester by the Sea (2016)
One of the best dramas I've ever seen- and I don't like dramas.
I am not a fan of drama.. I like to be entertained during films. I use movies to escape and since I am an actress myself - I just don't usually watch anything for the acting..or the art factor. Sometimes though I accidentally do, and this was one of those times ... in the first part of the movie I wasn't impressed .. seen it before. I am also not a fan of the Affleks and just on a side note - I watched this on Amazon Prime and it has like footnotes about the movie you can click on and one of them said "Casey Affleck could relate to the toughness of his character because he grew up in Cambridge Boston himself." I laughed out loud .. yeah. Cambridge is like one of the wealthiest towns here and it is full of - not townies. People from all over the world, just not Boston.. I mean it is tough like Beverly Hills is tough . And I think that is such a joke. These guys cashing in on some tough guy thing about Boston and if anyone knew how much money you have to have to live where they lived they would choke on their popcorn .. OK. So now that is out of the way. It was a good movie .. beautiful film. And I guess all the money for those great acting lessons paid off- he probably had an acting coach on set Im sure... haha. Stand out performance by Michelle Williams who had some plastic surgery , couldn't even recognize her. The film excels in what you don't see, what you don't hear, and what doesn't happen, if you know what I mean ..\ it's really a great lesson in finding out that we waste so much time and energy and hate and anger and sadness - when we are needed in the present and people need us to love them, and really that is when we heal. When we love , we heal. And there is never a good enough reason to hold back our love. That is what is amazing about this film. That message.
Attack the Block (2011)
So much hype in this movie, had to write a review for everyone over 30
So I actually bought this movie - rented - after I read the reviews and saw the ratings and , I mean, people were raving about this movie like it was made of gold. Now see I live in a country where Trump is president so it all makes sense now. People just like dumb sh**. So basically if you're over 30 and you stopped smoking weed ( that's a big one) this movie is just going to be dumb. Idk, maybe it's me- I don't like drug movies either ... i mean if you're not impressed by gangs or English slang / Ebonics, this won't be that great. It's a kids movie and I imagine kids who relate with the characters... to me , I just from the very first scene I wanted the lead actor to die and get killed by the alien. I couldn't believe that the movie was going to actually be about this group of punk kids.. but again, makes total sense nowadays . j didn't think it was funny or smart or anything. But I lived a pretty crazy lifestyle for most of my youth and I'm just over it .. smoked more weed all that. I think this movie is for people who wish they lived like this or kinda think they are like this in their heads or the other option. Just immature and stupid with really easy to meet needs as far as film goes - action, etc. I don't want to sound like Debbie downer- I mean the acting is great , the script is realistic. As far as dialogue, and it's a well produced movie. Its cute . I just wanted to warn the adults out there that this is not the movie for you if you're smart and like I said over 30 and stopped smoking weed. It isn't even entertaining - because if you don't think smart ass kids or smoking weed or gang mentality and gang bangers are funny or cool you'll just be bored as fu**. That is basically the only thing to the movie .. the plot is simple.
Fortitude (2015)
Total gem.... one of the best shows on Amazon.
I've watched both seasons and the seasons are very very different and both are excellent . He first season is a slow burn, but never boring . . Besides the amazing acting , the story is amazing . It keeps you right on the edge of your seat. Maybe the worst part about this show is the characters you get so attached to and they kill them off. But other than that. This is a brilliant show and i can't imagine anyone missing this show.. but they will. Because it isn't the typical fast paced chase scene. This is an experience.. if nothing else , the actors and producers should all be extremely proud of themselves... this is a work of art. I really liked it.
Demon (2015)
What the f was that?
This movie could have been so good. Great acting , atmosphere, insight, writing. It was a treat to see something so Polish. You really get to visit a small polish town and meet the locals here. But they just went so far off into left field with the plot. First of all, it's not the normal possession film. The groom gets possessed by a ghost. Not a demon. In fact it's weird that the title of the movie and everyone thinks this is about a demon.. a meek, sweet, murdered Jewish girl isn't a demon! The movie just went a little south.. misdirected. The entire thing. From the title , to how characters reacted and handled the mishap, the end, it just wasted itself. It isn't a horror movie at all. It's a drama . It might be a comedy in Poland, but in America it isn't. The humor is polish and drunk. So it misses a beat there just with the cultural lost in translation thing. I think there is a subtle prejudice too throughout this movie and I can't honestly tell if it's a good thing or a bad.. I can't tell if they are serious or if they are trying to show how bad prejudice is. I also sort of fast forwarded the end of the movie but as far as I could tell, there was no big town secret that came out. TNhe bride here really stole the show though. She is going to be a star if she doesn't get hooked on coke. She is talented , fetching , beautiful and charismatic.. if anything it's her showcase. Hopefully we will see her in more movies. Also the sad Jewish man was superb. The grooms performance was just .. weird. Like I said lots is lost in cultural translation , there is a lot here that we just don't get because we aren't polish. So would I rent it? No. Would I pay to go see this? No. I would say probably the only way this movie should be watched is if you're polish , want to go to a polish wedding, or if you enjoy foreign movies for the sake of being foreign. There really isn't a plot here, no mystery, no real character development that you want to see or know about, and no substance. Like I said, pretty much a waste of money, film and movie time. This should have been a play. It just isn't a film. And there isn't enough wackiness to make it an art house film either .. all in all, just blah and the ending was blah too. Nothing happened. Nothing is resolved . Obviously the writers here didn't attend a writing school... it was all very anticlimactic. It would have been nice if we found out who the ghost was, why she was there, who murdered her. Why she died. And also to have her either leave the groom, or be set free , something . Like I said I did fast forward the end, it just got so tedious that I wanted to see if anything actually happened and all that it seemed like happened was nothing. The groom takes off, never to be seen again and the end.
The Night Of (2016)
I usually think it's really not fair to give reviews without watching at least half the series but..
I watched the first episode. Be warned. I actually couldn't make it through till the end. I read such amazing reviews on here and was really looking forward to this. A few things. This really is a character study's dream. The actors probably had a lot of fun. But unfortunately when actors get to have fun, usually the audience doesn't . This is essentially what happened here . I think that this can work, for sure. Some of the greatest movies have barely any plot and it's just great relationships on screen. But here we have. A very realistic series in characters, acting and writing . Its basically like deciding to jump into these people's lives for the day. That can work too. But usually you have to have really interesting characters and at least moderately unique experiences happening to them. That's where this went wrong . I just don't see this series as having mass appeal. I am willing to bet this series did lousy in the ratings. Why? Because not many people can't relate to these characters. Not many people will want to , either. I mean there is so much more interesting court room, murder , everything out there .. films and series. Why do we want to watch this one? The crime isn't abnormal or bizarre or even having enough depth to keep you watching . The whole thing is really obvious from the start - it was either the guy or the girls ex or current boyfriend who came home and found her with a guy and killed her. I didn't really want to stick around and figure it out for sure though. The dialogue too wasn't that interesting either .. not if you've had a life. And some personality .. this is probably a show that appeals to people that haven't had much adventure , haven't met a lot of diverse people or don't have a lot of friends .. then this will be great. Then duh can lose yourself In this part of someone else's life. And enjoy it. But otherwise ? Character heavy drama without much excitement or any difference st all with a hundred shoes out there.
The Condemned (2007)
Surprised at the end
I rented this movie because I was sick, and figured it was a mindless waste of time and it would keep me occupied without too much mental or emotional stress. I was right. But right when I was asking myself what type of people out there gave this kind of movie an audience ( I am often in existential crisis ) the script slapped me with surprise. It actually gave a very clear message that you're basically a jerk for liking to entertain yourself with gratuitous violence. Then it also killed off all the people in the film who cashed in and laughed at death , showed them what violence really was , well, sort of. I mean essentially the movie is making money off of violence and death and really awful things in real life. Movies and entertainment like this are sort of anesthesisizing the public to hardcore reality. But it knew that, and it made that concept and those people the truly bad ones .. which was an interesting shift in perspective although I can't give it too much credit because essentially it's still cashing in on the same genre .. While I was watching this though I realized that all the people I hate , and that I spend way too much time wondering how they exist in the world , how they don't care about anything of value or have any kind of morality or concept of the abstract and emotional depth, people that sit around and watch movies and cheer for the hero, and yet live like villains. People that have no idea that they are the villains in real life. That they lie, they hurt people, they cheat people. They burn people. They kill people. They rape or molest people. Whatever .. these people ,how do they exist? And not know what they are? How they can be so blind to themselves when there is so much information out there ?? I decided these types of people much watch these mindless movies . So on that level it comforted me. That all those gung ho violent types watching this movie, at the end, the jokes on them. And whoops, maybe it will make them question something more than they are used to. Baby steps Hollywood , baby steps, and I'm all about it. This movie had a conscious. That's amazing for the type of movie it was. It might be too smart though for all the people who need to actually get that message .. but nice try anyways. The script had me laughing out loud too. In a few parts. In a good way. I think this type of movie for what it was was excellent. Probably the one movie like this you could let your teens watch. Because of the message at the end. Which was - violence and the people who cash in on it, the people who use it as entertainment are evil, stupid and deserve to die. Haha.