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Old Dads (2023)
IT'S THE TRUTH !!!
This film expresses every sentiment I feel and, rather more vocally express, as a 64 year old man. Looking around at this current iteration of humanity leaves me shaking my head in despair or livid with anger... often both.
I have, in the last 10 years, met a variation of every single character portrayed here - Simp, Wimp, Karen... et al.
This Movie is a beautiful and accurate portrayal of life and a stunning depiction of a culture in crises.
Bill Burr is superb in his portrayal of a man watching every value, every hero and the family he loves being subverted and alienated by passive-aggressive weaklings who have zero respect for personal space, history and the hard work that enables them to exist in our modern society.
Bobby Cannavale - an excellent and underrated actor - is awesome as the 'simp' who finally grows a pair and ants to lead by example.
Bokeem Woodbine - another underrated actor - is excellent, portraying the man who knows he's made mistakes... missed out on time with his kids but still tries to connect.
In summation: The film is a genuine representation of what life is like for Men over 40 - we're the target for every 'broad' accusation; we're all hateful, bigoted, racist, homophobic, trans-phobic... et al
But - at the end of the day - we got things done. We built the cities, roads, bridges, railways, invented lights, telephones, the Internet,... everything you'll use to curse us with, while enjoying those luxuries.
Vratar galaktiki (2020)
Poor at Best
The CGI - given the films budget is exceptional - everything else... not so much.
The Plot - what there is of one, is all over the place and the Acting - especially Viktoriya Agalakova (obviously the daughter of some oligarch who helped
finance the movie (because no one in their right mind would hire this girl) ) and Georgiy Bestaev is just dismal.
The single non 2-Dimensional actor was Mariya Lisovaya (Anya / Valaya) who
managed to outshine the leading pair by an enormous factor.
To the 5 writers 'credited' for this movie: Please consider your life choices. If this is even close to the best you can produce - then you're doomed to utter failure. The dialogue is just soooo simplistic and often demeaning to both the audience and the actors.
Direction: Above average - considering the film is 'mainly' CGI - and getting both the actors and crew to stay on point must have been a pita - they did an excellent job.
Further on the plus side - there's a few moments of 'action/suspense', one moment of actual 'comedy' and over an hour and half of decent CGI... but that's it.
As an adult, I ploughed through this movie and nearly sobbed with relief when it ended - hopefully, my sacrifice will be taken into consideration if you think about watching this rubbish... but, if you have kids (9-11) then they're going to really enjoy it !!
Note: I changed both my rating as an adult from a: 3 to (as a grandparent) a: 6 simply based upon my grandkids reaction to the film.
Apparently, I may not now be qualified to judge a movie aimed at the child demographic now that I'm in my 70's - who knew?!!
Have a nice day.
Working Man (2019)
A Beautifully Written and Acted Film... Watch!
This film harkens back to the days of the 'Industrial Revolution' and every attempt by employers to demean the working man.
Here, we have a Company, a small company that's part of a Multi-National Corporation, whose only interest is SELF - Not the Employees, not the Community and certainly not the Nation... the 'Bottom Line' is ALL it's interested in. This small company had orders - it had workers - it WAS making a profit... just not enough to appease the grasping nature of its masters.
Outsourcing, 'Zero-Hour Contracts', No Over-Time, No Holiday Pay, No Health Benefits etc... equals No Job Security, No Chance at Advancement, Costly Private Child Care etc...
This is not a Step Forward - this is Step Backwards!
The ONLY people who benefit from this are the Employers - everyone else loses out - Employees, Communities, States and Nations.
Boston Legal (2004)
The epitome of writing, acting and enjoyment...
I've never watched a series wherein each episode I've had a great belly-laugh.
The acting, writing, drama, comedy and pathos are so well balanced it's almost machine like... If one was to seek perfection (or damned near close) - seek no further!
Man on the Moon (1999)
Something Missing...
I write this, some 21 years after the film was released, because Carreys' movies never really appealed to me - so I avoided watching them - his facial comedic idiocy was not for me... but this film... this masterpiece... well...
You cannot say that Jim Carrey 'plays' the part of Andy Kaufman - no, he takes the role and absorbs it.
This is one of the most intensive and extensive adoption of a 'persona' that you'll ever see: Mannerisms, Voice(s), Habits, Gestures... it's all there. This goes far beyond imitation... and it was an absolute joy to watch.
I've (recently) learned that he never won an Oscar for this performance - that Tom Hanks got it for Saving Private Ryan - what absolute BS. I've watched Hanks in SPR - and he has absolutely NOTHING on Jim Carrey !
The Courier (2019)
Diabolically Bad
The script, dialogue and, sadly, the acting are just bad beyond belief.
Gary Oldman couldn't have been more hammy if his surname was 'Piggy'.
Olga Kurylenkos' acting talent was likewise missing from this catastrophe of a movie.
The dialogue and script was so cliche riddled that I found myself grinding my teeth.
Give this a miss - go watch Die Hard instead - or, in fact, anything else.
Upload (2020)
This is a promise...
... if you cancel this program... Well, I've a certain skill set. I will find you. And I will kill you!
Joking aside, this has all the elements I look for in a series... humour, drama, pathos and charm.
The acting, effects and themes affect everybody - today. The rise of the huge corporations, seemingly without any moral compass - their impact on freedoms and laws we take for granted. The growing desperation I see around me and the futile attempts to counter it.
I'm doubtful that we'll see more than 2 seasons... not because of its lack of an audience but because it shows too much truth about the current state of affairs.
The Newsroom (2012)
Excellent series with one major problem...
As stated in the title - this is an excellent show with one major problem... the entirety of it could easily have been encapsulated within 3 hours.
The acting was, generally speaking, superb, however... the ridiculously unprofessional behaviour of the characters, the mish-mash attempts at romance, the unbelievably bad attempts at female characterisation negated just about every superb aspect and just made this a 'good' series instead of a superb series.
I was, frequently, both bored and frustrated by the character portrayal of all of the characters at one point or another - and this was nothing to do with the acting - just the writing.
The romantic aspects appear to have been written by an eleven year old boy - full of fantasy, hope but with no actual experience.
Advice:
If you want romance watch any Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan movie.
If you want concise, funny and a watchable but topical show (of its time (but still relevant in 2020) ) watch Boston Legal.
If you're undecided - watch this.
Table 19 (2017)
Mild-mannered, Smooth-as-Silk Romantic Comedy
It's been done dozens of times - unwanted/uninvited guests at a wedding causing chaos mixed with a little romance.. I know but rarely with the charm of this movie.
Anna Kendrick - playing the (slightly) despondent ex-maid of honour after being dumped by the bride's brother is superb... you can really feel for this character, Anna Kendrick and Lisa Kudrow's - not so much... you never get a real explanation for the emotional and physical separation - though I cannot deny their chemistry nor skill in working within the bounds of the script provided.
Tony Revolori played a superb role - a mix of naivety and desperation that would be relatable by any teen.
Stephen Merchant - always a superb character actor - had little to work with within the confines of this script but he (as always) shone.
June Squibb - whom I watched avidly in Palm Springs - was exceptional... a very, very underrated actress!
Funny, funny film - Recommended!
Greyhound (2020)
Another re-write of history... ?
I initially considered this to be yet another attempt to rewrite history by the U.S.A. - it's NOT - it's just fantasy.
This particular incident never happened... but, at the same time, and within the first 10 minutes - they made it appear as though the two British Destroyers were both superfluous and incompetent.
That's a goddamned insult to the memory and legacy of the British Navy - who had far, far more experience than the American Captains, having waded through that particular piece of Hell time and time again.
I'm sick and tired of the U.S.A. attempting to claim every victory, every innovation, every piece of heroism as their own.
We know you did your part, we know it cost you - but consider this - we were at the sharp end right from the beginning... and until you joined the war, you were selling arms to both sides.
America actually made a PROFIT from the WW2 - nobody else did! So kindly don't be so high and mighty with your condemnation of the Countries that were engaged in the War for 2 years already.
..and now to the review ;) - Tom Hanks was, as per usual, excellent - but the entire film lacked any kind of depth for me... we only see the suffering aboard the military vessels and never aboard the Merchant vessels that brooked the majority of the wrath of the German U-Boats.
Every other character was incidental to the destruction and emotional turmoil that Hanks character was engaged in. In truth, I believe that a less studied performance might have enhanced the film - Hanks seems a little too distanced from the mayhem, a little too remote.
Stephen Graham played a superb part - his role, though restrictive allowed him to shine - and his ability to energize a poorly written scene was amazing.
Michael Benz' subdued demeanor and casual skill also stood out.
As an aside - if my younger self were to consider a role in a movie, I'd first ask whether Tom Hanks was starring... and if so, decline it.
Inheritance (2020)
Could have been a Contender...
What a pity... Simon Pegg and Lily Collins acted their hearts out here but the simplistic plot was not worthy of either.
The plot could have gone many ways from its base of a Minor (on the precipice of becoming a Major) Dynastic family with a deep, dark secret - and the route it took was the easy one - with no exceptional scenery and few twists and turns.
Connie Nielsen and Chace Crawford were given no chance to shine whatsoever - and could, for all intents and purposes - have been replaced with a few lines of dialogue spoken by Lily Collins. The ending was simply terrible - in line with the abominable '...And I awoke and realised it was all a dream.'
The single redeeming feature of this Movie was watching Simon Pegg (an Actor I'd previously considered to be simply Comedic based) perform admirably has a villain - I look forward to his stretching himself further.
The Boys (2019)
This is, almost purely, a character and actor review.
This is, almost purely, a character and actor review.
Jack Quaid: Comes across as both naive, sensitive and as a man with a mission - he just keeps getting better and better.
Karl Urban: Plays the same gritty/violent/edgy character he's played so many times before - for the love of Bob, give his character more depth - he can do it!
Antony Starr: Wow... talk about a total uplift! This guy has really raised his game here.
Erin Moriarty: Awesome ability. This is a lady to watch.
Dominique McElligott: Excellent - pity that her role was so poorly implemented. No depth of character whatsoever.
Jessie T. Usher: Again - not enough depth for the actor to gain momentum (pun intended) - but one to watch out for.
Chace Crawford: Brilliant performance - despite the script doing truly weird event turns with his character. (Obviously someone wants him gone.)
Tomer Capon - Absolutely wonderful. At times I could almost believe that he was talking from personal experience. Bravo!
Laz Alonso - Good performance within the narrow bounds of the (clichéd) writing - not his fault, you can only work with the lines drawn.
Elisabeth Shue: Fantastic as always - though, again, the characterisation was a little stilted.
Simon Pegg - A British actor with a remarkable film career of his own... and you can see and hear the experience that allowed him to take a 'bit' role and make it his own.
Jennifer Esposito: Why, oh why did she bother? Surely this fine actress could have been better utilised... what a waste of her and our time.
Overall: Despite the lack of depth of any of the characters (and realising that these are not 3 hour long episodes) - the show is superb. It's extremely rare to find something new these days... mostly it's just a rehash of the same boring old themes. So far, this series has comedy and action - I hope to see some actual drama and pathos soon - and more rounded characters. This series is great - it could be groundbreaking - so go for it, please!
The Big Bang Theory: The Stockholm Syndrome (2019)
Thank You, Chuck Lorre
This is not so much a review as a general 'Thanks....'
I'm 69 years old - and I know that few of my contemporaries get this 'new humour' - but I do.
It's been an absolute pleasure watching this series - the interplay between friends, rivals and additional Sci-Fi star was enthralling.
As someone who has read Sci-Fi comics since the 50s' and been a avid reader of the Sci-Fi / Fantasy greats (Heinlein, Asimov, Iain M. Banks, Terry Pratchett etc...) it's not too much of a stretch of my mind to get this... after-all, pretty much everything is derivative. ;)
At 69 - I'm still looking forward - when, sadly, so many of my peers look back... I'd still like to climb that tree and see what ahead... hoping that humanity finds a way to deal with its darker side - but I've come to the realisation that I won't get that gift.
It's been a delight, really - I've seen and experienced so much tragedy - yet we DO learn from it... though the learning curve seems to be oh, so steep... we prevail.
Tough times are ahead - far tougher than we, as a species have ever encountered - but I have FAITH - not in some BS omniscient being - but in humanity... I have to, because probability hints at the fact, that we may be alone.
I do NOT fear death - all things change - it truly seems to be the single inviolable constant - I DO fear the death of a race who's individuals can die rescuing a dog, run into a burning house to rescue a child, set themselves on fire to prove a moral point, refuse to bow down before tyrants and monsters - who can show levels of heroism far beyond any comic book Hero on a daily basis - and also, sadly, can show their wanton lust for power, for sadistic acts and for absolute evil.
Humanity - you truly are beautiful - and I desperately hope you stick around long after I'm gone.
Welcome to Marwen (2018)
Stunningly Deep Movie...
I'm baffled that so many people gave this film such a low score... it has depths and dimensions waaaaay beyond most of the generic crap produced today - perhaps that's the reason....
We've become so used to movies having everything explicitly pointed out to us... every emotion, every act and the implications of those thoughts, feelings and actions - that we can no longer just.... imagine.
We can't imagine the pain, the trials, the shear effort involved in trying to piece back a life shattered for no reason...
This is not just a morality tale of acceptance - this is a story of every man, woman and child's' life touched by random violence or catastrophe.
Watch it with your kids ... and try and make them realise that consequences go on and on and on and on....
Doroga (2016)
Absolute, Undeniable Proof that Russians are Stupid... and Dangerous With It.
I'd like to personally thank the Editor for giving the world an honest insight into the actual 'culture' (and I use that word at it's most stretched) of the Russian Federation.
Almost 70 Minutes of mind-blowing ignorance, stupidity, violence and casual disregard for the safety of Children, Pedestrians, Passengers and fellow drivers (aimers? (is that a word?)) and the unmitigated failure of a 'Police Force.'
This video demonstrates pretty much everything I saw as a 5 year appointee to the British Embassy there... if ever an entire countries citizens should be banned from driving on the roads outside of it's boundaries... we have Prime Candidate number One, right here.
Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)
A tribute rather than a biographical look at the life of a musical genius
My first introduction to the music of Queen/Freddie Mercury was the soundtrack to 'Highlander (1986)' and the song, 'Who wants to live forever'.
I thought it one of the most beautiful pieces of music I'd ever heard and still do... poignant but uplifting.
This movie has many of the qualities of that song - in that we all know how it's going to end - but it's the journey... that's the important thing... a little like 'Titanic'.
The film does not idolise Freddie Mercury - it presents him as he would have liked (I believe) to have been presented - a man of many layers, of many faults but also with many great facets.
Freddie Mercury was renown for his partying - for his excesses - for pushing the boundaries... but he was also a man of conviction. kind and generous to a fault.
Rami Maleks' portrayal was flawless - he manages to capture the true essence of a man struggling with his sexual identity, struggling to find a balance between love and passion and struggling to put all of this to music.
I do believe that the film goes 'over the top' when it comes to giving pretty much all of the credit for Queens success to Freddie - May, Taylor and Deacon were great contributors to the band and without their talents I don't think it would have been nearly that successful.
Lucy Boynton played an excellent role - neither timid nor overly-strident - just the right level of supportive role that wouldn't take the spotlight away from the extraordinary performance from Rami Malek.
For all intents and purposes - all of the cast were mere supporting roles for the main star and you get zero depth of character from any of them... just an almost fawning desire to keep 'Freddie' happy and producing.
You get no strong sense of camaraderie, friendship or trust - they were as 1 dimensional as you'll ever get in a 2 dimensional medium.
This is not to say that they played their roles badly - just that they we're never, probably, given any true insights into the actual dynamics of the band - why spoil the the myth?
All in all - the film is not a 'biopic' - it's not looking to idolise Freddie Mercury or present him as other than he was (with the above in mind) - and to, perhaps, endear him to a new generation of fans.
Watch it - it's a good film!
An Interview with God (2018)
A Film for the gullible, the naive and the foolish.
Before I write about the 'Interview' I'll write about the film:
The acting was... average at best on most counts - with a dismal for 'Yael Grobglas.'
The opening scene was moving...
The second scene however... the over-emotional over-acting by Yael Grobglas got me immediately annoyed. Of course, there was no context for her behaviour until later in the film, but still...
David Strathairn as 'God' - well, he's a talented actor. But, I'm afraid, he does not have the depth to pull this role off.
Brenton Thwaites - more of a non-entity character I cannot imagine. Despite this actor having some serious credits to his name during his career, this film shows absolutely NONE of his talent.
The Interview:
What questions would you ask HIM? (For the male-centric view of the film I'll adopt this gender...)
For openers, HE says (in the film), "I'm a deity, not a vampire" - this implies that there's more than one deity - and the possibility that vampires exist, too. Explain, please.
or....
I was here, where were you?
Why does everybody 'Thank You' for the good things that happen - and yet few curse you for the bad?
Four - score years and Ten - the life span of the average human (60-70 years) - If fed, clothed and with a decent diet and medical aid. Why?
'Bit rushed on the sixth day?' to blame for the shoddy workmanship?
If you did create us, why lay down millions of years of evolutionary misdirection?
Why, in the first part of the 'Bible', did you act like a petulant child? You made your way into everyone's lives - appeared numerous times and then... slowly faded into the background?
Did you realise you had some growing up to do, too?
From the film: 'Where do you come from?'
It's a valid question, and if 'Paul' does know the answer - or in fact anyone does - feel free to enlighten me... and billions of others.
From the Film: "You know all the answers to all the questions?"
That by itself negates 'Free Will', because, for 'Free Will' to exist, there can BE no 'Plan.'
Knowledge of intent, action & consequence implies a bounded track to which people are stuck and from which they cannot deviate - thus, no matter the choice you 'think' you make - it was always going to be that choice. A predictable future refutes 'Free Will.'
From the Film: 'What is the meaning of Life?'
"To Live, To Struggle, To Serve God and to ask questions like 'What is the meaning of Life?'"
Struggle? Why?
Serve God, Why? - Service implies dependence - mutual dependence. We know what we'd get out of it (continued existence) - but what about God? What's HE gaining?
...and it goes on and on and on... the movie is diabolically (pun intended) bad.
AVOID!
The Little Stranger (2018)
Suppression, Oppression and Obsession
If you're expecting blood and gore - then look elsewhere.
After the Second World War, the, apparently, coldly-clinical Doctor Faraday (Domhnall Gleeson) is called to his roots in a small village and its dilapidated Manor House.
So begins a slow, yet methodical, merging of past and present. Tinges of the supernatural intertwine with guile, greed and class-guilt/envy/hatred to create an atmosphere of violence and bitterness.
Domhnall Gleeson plays a fantastic part in the film - his portrayal of the emotionless Doctor is little short of genius.
Will Poulters' character has a depth that the original book, by Sarah Waters, failed to portray.
Ruth Wilsons' character needed more, for which you can hardly blame the actress - merely the writers, and seems both laboured and one dimensional.
Charlotte Ramplings' character was an utter waste of her time and talent - and again, you cannot fault her.
All-in-all, an enjoyable 'mystery, suspense et al...' film that those who enjoy good acting from obtained even the flimsiest of scenarios and poor writing will delight in.... but in the end, it's depth is puddle shallow.
The Apprentice (2005)
Dismal, Boring, Abusive, Repetitive, Social-distraction Rubbish.
Why are we - the British tax payers - paying for this absolute piece of garbage?
14 seasons of a complete and utter non-entity (Alan Sugar) - the epitome of capitalism gone wrong - braying, bullying, abusing and manipulating so-called contestants for a prize that seems to be absolutely worthless - employment by him.
Could I, as a business man, bet the BBC to fund my 'talent' search? I don't think so...
Could we please place this rubbish in the receptacles provided - or better still, just flush the entire, stupid idea... so that'll reside in posterity, along with Sugar - in its fitting home.
Destination Wedding (2018)
Not Smart and Not Funny...
The 'conversations' between these two characters are at best - mildly amusing - they are not funny.
It's a totally pointless 'rom-com' where you'd much rather listen to the two main actors having a real discussion about there lives then listen to the drivel that they spout as dialogue.
Additionally, the supporting characters are as one dimensional as you'll ever get - every single one was instantly forgettable.
Finally, the makeup 'artist' for Winona Ryder should be shot - in many scenes she looks like a Goth with anorexia.
In conclusion: Abysmal Movie - avoid.
According to Ben Adams (2016)
Something Missing....
A hard movie to get your head round - the premise of the movie offers promise but fails to deliver.
The two main actors:
Bramwell Noah as 'The Devil' is excellent in his role - giving a low key performance that oozes just the right amount of menace mixed with bafflement at the human experience.
Daniel Schepisi - as 'Jesus' also shines - a very charismatic actor.
Outside of these two actors I have to rate the rest of the cast as pretty poor - sorry - but just saying your lines is not acting.
Rarely have I seen such an un-emotive cast - especially considering the setting - a Psychiatric Unit.
The soundtrack was dismal - more a hash of random music clips strung together then a soundtrack.
Not entirely sure what the addition of the Solicitor, Private Investigator et al were supposed to add to the the movie - and in retrospect, I'd have to say that they mere detracted from the general flow.
Conclusion: A watchable movie but lacking any kind of real spark.
Charged: The Eduardo Garcia Story (2017)
Awe inspiring story of a human ability to overcome seemingly insurmountable odds.
This is a tale of one mans recovery from horrific injuries.
It's a truly inspirational film - a must see for anyone who believes that THEY can't do it!
One small aside - why does IMDBs 'Storyline' say: "..he touched a dead bear with his knife, he survived the 2400V jolt " ??
Action Team (2018)
As close to real CIA/MI5/KGB incompetence as you'll ever witness...
Having worked for at least 2 of these agencies - I can say, with absolute certainty, that the sheer Incompetence, Indifference to life and, most importantly, Personal Hygiene - IS, in every single way - UNDERSTATED.
This is a masterpiece (albeit 'fictional') of realism.
I can only conclude that at least one of the creators/writers has experience in the field.
James Bond gets given a Lotus Esprit which he destroys within 20hrs - real life is 15 forms for a packet of staples.
Cold Skin (2017)
Experience the real terror of war
Having been part of 3 conflicts, I can state, categorically - that this film will come as close to showing you the absolute brown-trouser reality of it - as any extreme-budget, high-end, high-effect, high-profile-actor as ever done.
Kids now talk about war as if it's a 'gaming experience' - it's not. The brutality, the violence, the emotions felt when playing a game are nothing, NOTHING in comparison.
Watch this film when you're not high on drugs, drink or out of it on any of the more 'social drugs' and you might, just might get a real feel for the terror involved.
Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
Comedic Action Film with ZERO Acting
Stunned when I watched this sh*t.
1. Jeff Goldblum:
Dear Jeff Goldblum - could you STOP. I've watched you acting (and really well) in 'Mister Frost' and (with jaws agape in) the Oscar-worthy but sadly neglected 'Adam Resurrected' - but since Adam Resurrected you haven't done a single original character movie. You are your own stereotype - unfortunately, it's the stereotypical Hollywood bullshit 'Well, I have my money, so I'll put in the least effort.' model. Kindly F*ck Off from our screens till ya can be bothered again. And Please don't get me started on your 'Jurassic Park' or 'Independence Day' - repeats of the your idea of a dithering 'genius'.
2. Direction:
Just who or more precisely, what was this Movie aimed at? Sociopaths?
Yes, We'd all show no emotion when our parents die, when friends we'd fought beside for thousands of years were wiped out. When our entire culture and civilisation were brought to ruin. Of course, this might reflect the entire 'stoic' repertoire of the actors... who knows - it's not like the writers gave them much manoeuvrability. (NOTE: Shoot Writers)
3. Timeline:
You established that time within the 'Universes Dump' was far out of sync with the 'Normal' universe - a day in the 'dump' could mean hundreds of months or years in the 'Real' universe - so how come he arrives at Asgard just a couple of months into Hellas' reign? Lucky, I Guess.
4. Cheap Toilet Humour:
Well, ya missed a few shots here gents... ya didn't mention the word 'Cock' or 'Pussy' or 'Fart' - sure ya tried but couldn't quite fit them in - plus, ya missed references to the Anus... no, no I stand corrected - ya managed to get that particular US Fetish in.
5. I'm gonna end this review here... cos I just can't be bothered with the other sixteen points - like the Directors, Producers, Actor and, of course, the f*ckwits you call writers.