Change Your Image
Jaiseserrat
Reviews
The Way Way Back (2013)
Hmm. I think I want to see the movie behind this movie more.
I wanted to root for this movie. I really did. It had every element that should've made it more likeable than it ended up being: a coming-of-age formula, a funny and big-hearted role-model, a girl-next-door love interest, the setting being in dreamy summer next to the coast, heart-touching moments set to a slow piano score, etc., but it quickly became clear when watching The Way, Way Back that all of these elements were indeed there but very clumsily put together, and I agree with another review that a better movie lurked in the background somewhere.
It was performed well from a very strong cast (though I'm sure I'm probably not the first one whom might have detected a Robert Downey Jr. Vibe from Sam Rockwell's performance intentional or not, which made parts a bit unnecessary) and makes for light viewing if that's what you're after, but it lacks any real heart. Kinda. I mean, it's there, but passed to you like an accident-prone waiter trying desperately to not drop your order on his way from the kitchen to your table. I'm not sure if it was down to writing, direction, editing or other, but something about this movie just didn't 'click'. There was no real rhyme or reason to a lot of scenarios, and relies on the audience 'just going with it' instead of justifying choices with grounded reality.
I wouldn't say it was sidesplittingly funny nor laugh-out-loud as expected when you see the genre to a movie is comedy, but there were moments that were light hearted and enjoyable enough, if not layered on a bit thick. Special mention should go to Sam Rockwell's (who, let's face it, is what makes this movie a comedy, not much else!) matter-of-fact delivery of "OK, listen up: I need a hero. I'm holding out for a hero until the end of the night". One might argue that it's not so much a comedy but a drama, which OK, it kind of is. But again...kinda.
There were moments in the film I outright disagreed with from a personal point of view - the 'hold, please' line as the waterpark attendants perv at waiting young women in bikini's was obscene in my opinion and made it very hard to root for the characters you're supposed to root for after that - but also certain somewhat unnecessary elements too, like the step-dad being spoon-fed to the audience that he's unlikeable (not to mention is overtly a bully that everyone else including Duncan's own mother is blind to). I feel like it might have been more interesting to NOT have an antagonistic womanising step-dad, but perhaps a genuine straight laced guy who's trying to step up as Duncan's replacement father whom Duncan rejects.
Surely that would've been more heartwarming if he and Duncan had bonded at the movies close?
Look, I would say give this movie a go regardless, and fair play to the creators - they have made a movie and I haven't, and at the end of the day they've done it to entertain. This is only my opinion, it's enjoyable enough to sit through, and maybe you'll see the story behind this one that the writer/directors might actually have been trying to tell. Perhaps this movie idea went down a water slide with a better delivery but this lapped the other in the tube on the way down? We'll never know.
The Invention of Lying (2009)
Interesting concept with heart at times, but disappointing
This has been on my radar for a while, I really enjoy Ricky Gervais' humour and had high hopes after Ghost Town was exceptionally refreshing and funny. If that's the reason why you're watching too, know that's it's not quite the same thing. The laughs I felt were a bit too far apart, and the premise of everyone telling the truth seemed to be more that everyone just spoke their minds all the time. There were times in the movie that the pace slowed as too much emphasis was placed on ethos instead of a tactic moment for some more comedy.
It's enjoyable don't get me wrong, but don't expect to laugh a lot, or even a little truth be told (no pun intended!).
Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
Woah, lets hold on folks...
Not one for leaving a review, I felt compelled to after reading some unfair and damn-right scathing reviews for this film.
Hear me out.
I'm a huge Star Wars fan, and like many die-hard fans, was aghast at the lore-breaking travesty that was The Last Jedi. I greatly enjoyed The Force Awakens however with J.J at the helm, it felt like an exciting love letter to the franchise whilst renewing the story for a younger generation. So when I heard he was taking over the final instalment in the trilogy, my hopes were up again.
And to be completely fair: he didn't disappoint. No, the movie is arguably not perfect; a slightly tired sense of battle, character arcs that don't really go anywhere more etc., But you know what? To have the job of piecing together the tatters of what happened in the last movie (that was pretty colossal that confused everyone) I think he and the crew have done an exceptional job. It felt relatively 'Star Wars'-like again, and was a great cinematic experience, which the very first move A New Hope was aiming to achieve. I thought the production did their very best to tie up all the loose ends whilst making it entertaining, and catering to many demographics and honouring the source material, plus patching up the damage done: that's not a job I would want! The choice of having a resurrected Palpatine was eyebrow raising, but when you think about it, it does make sense, and upon reflection using Snoke as a clone to do his bidding I actually thought was very clever, and made Snoke's previous dismissal in the last movie more forgivable.
So I would say cut the production some slack. Put your feet up and enjoy it because it IS a good movie. There's plenty of excitement, tension, imagination and sense of adventure that makes the series great. And after all, isn't it good to Love in a world where we have another Star Wars movie out there anyway?
Final Space (2018)
Good, but odd.
So discovering the world of Netflix bingeing my preference is imaginative comedies and sci fi. I enjoyed shows like Rick and Morty, The Good Place and Stranger Things a heck of a lot, so when Final Space popped up on my recommendation list, I thought I was in for another winner. And I was...kind of.
Final Space is an addictive cartoon space opera. I say 'addictive' here because it's by no means 'enthralling', like I was desperate to know the fate of the characters, more it's been made in a way like most shows nowadays where you've enjoyed it just enough to see the cliff hanger through. It's imaginative, colourful, does have genuinely funny moments, and taps right into those, like myself, who have a fondness for all things space adventure.
But here are the pitfalls that tip the scales in the direction that will make me talk about Final Space to friends and enquirers as 'yeah, its OK'. Firstly, the characters. They're overly cliche in my opinion; the overly evil villain, the woman who doesn't love the protagonist then does because he persists so much and she can't help his outgoing clumsy charm, the cute creature with secrets etc. It's not off-putting, just don't expect much in the way of originality here. The 'captain' (I use air quotes in the show's favour here) Gary is likeable, but the voice acting is sometimes WAY too over the top. He has funny moments, and I feel that other moments would be funnier if dialled down a few notches instead of the delivery "I'M GOING TO SHOUT THIS SO YOU WILL FIND IT FUNNY!". Again, not a bad thing, just a kink to iron out. I got the impression he was a homage or a parody of Chris Pratt's StarLord.
My biggest problem aside from when an episode finishes and you realise it's been 20 minutes to basically tell one small detail, that when you look at the picture as a whole you think "Oh, there wasn't a whole lot of story there.", was the ratio of comedy to absolute pathos overkill. It's so odd, and it only gets more and more frequent as the episodes progress. By the end of season 10, I wouldn't know if this was a comedy, a space opera, or a tragedy. And, against popular opinion I'm sure, it's not delivered well. It reminds me of younger thespians making a production with a deep and brooding message 'just because' or an acoustic song that's written depressingly for the sake of it, without it actually benefiting the art or being relevant to. Again with the aforementioned dialling down of over-the-top dialogue, limit the pathos or tragedy to a few moments, and literally not every episode (there's only so many times we can hear the slow clink of an emotive piano) and the dramatic occurrence is memorable and heightened way better. It's get a bit much, and because it's slow, dramatic animation in these moments it again pads out the episode with not much. I feel like these moments really don't need to be there, apart from someone somewhere injecting it in thinking its making a great statement or artistic expression; it really isn't. It also feels overly dark in places that totally goes against the comedic nature, but not in a good contrast. Again it feels like someone is going "lets push this", but not wisely.
I'm interested to see where the series is going to go on its next outing, as admittedly the ending was different to what I expected.
So, all in all, Final Space is actually difficult to describe as it's by no means bad, but if you're looking for another Rick and Morty-esque binge, it won't live up to it. An enjoyable watch yes, with moments that will make you laugh, but ultimately by episode 10 you'll remember it with a slight frown and a look in the air whilst going "hmmm."
Terminator Genisys (2015)
No, what have they done?!
**SPOILER**
Being a huge fan of the Terminator franchise, I was intrigued to see what the newest instalment had in store. Controversial it might be, I really enjoyed the last terminator film 'Salvation' and thought maybe this film would continue in the same gritty direction set by its predecessor.
I was wrong. The only thing this terminator sequel continues it's the somewhat campy and over emotional TV feeling that was set in Terminator 3 Rise of the Machines, and lost that connection with realism that the iconic first two instalments set up. The stakes only feel high in about two minutes of the film, whilst the rest feels pretty watery.
The casting was strange. Note that the acting isn't bad (if not hammy at times given the script work, since when were all characters so involved with their emotions? Where's Sarah and Kyle's backbone??) Given that this Terminator film was supposed to be sending well known characters back to when they were first introduced in 1984, the actors playing kyle reese and Sarah Connor look very little like their first incarnation, which only adds to the feeling of giving the Terminator franchise a "sexy gloss".
The story was equally convoluted. One of the reasons I love this franchise so much is that it's story is the heart of the business; judgement day happens, mankind is nearly extinct, Terminator is send back to kill sarah Connor (and later Kyle reese). This film's story line is really clutching at straws to sell tickets, putting forward theories and plot devises that I'm sure made James Cameron say "...what?"
On the whole, worth a watch to see where the newest instalment and I'm sure its subsequent new sequels are headed, but don't expect much. Arnold is great of course, but even then acknowledging that the Terminator is getting old (and that part about the 'upgrade' is ridiculous by the way) to excuse the actors ageing doesn't save it. Effects are good, but in my eyes, the Terminator should've saved his 'I'll be back' for a stronger, grittier, more grounded production.
1408 (2007)
Not a fan of scary films, but...
Now, I'm no expert on films that make you jump, and I'm definitely a pussycat for scary films, but this one had something new to offer.
The film is compelling and quite clever, but I couldn't help feel that it was predictable in places.
There are good parallels that can be drawn in the film from those who are interested in horror films or those who study films, in which case this film is definitely for you.
I won't deny it's creepy, but if you're like me who's new to these sorts of films then you're walking out of the cinema listening to all the hard-core horror fans saying 'that was rubbish'.
There are eerie parts in places and it's not a BAD film, but it's not something I would see again, and I was expecting something a lot more intense from the hype.
Thunderbirds (2004)
Don't be fooled.
Thunderbirds is a favourite with many people, and for most it is a home to childhood memories, but this film is shockingly awful.
The film has very little to do with the actual Thunderbirds, and focuses (some what unnecessarily) on the little brother of the 'birds who dreams to join them. The story mainly focuses on him, and film reveals no actual Thunderbird rescues...in the slightest.
The acting is very slip-shod as well, making almost every scene with a child acting dire and unbareable.
This film may appeal to those aged 1 - 8, but apart from that, this film offers no entertainment and leaves the viewer deeply unsatisfied.
Michael (1996)
Lovely!
Though this film doesn't stand out particularly from the movie crowd, its still a very nice film to sit down and watch with your feet up! There maybe the odd one or two mistakes you catch, and the cinematic are a little slipshod, the film itself is very enjoyable and has a wonderful atmosphere to it. The music contributes a lot to the mood of the movie.
The acting is none the less impressive (especially the dog he he!) with John Travolta taking the lead of the fun-troublesome-loving Michael. Other characters feel very genuine and perform very well within the film.
So after a long day at work, stick "Michael" on in the evening with some ice-cream and enjoy a very quality film in its own right :)
The Man Without a Face (1993)
Very Powerful
I saw this film yesterday and I can't stress how great this film is. At times your really wishing the best to happen and you cringe when a character says something offencive to someone your sympathising with, its really powerful stuff. Even if this isn't your type of film, you can greatly appreciate the directing skills from Mel Gibson (who apparently had read a "how to direct" book), who was new to directing at the time.
I think this film is very clever in some parts too, the end linking with the beginning and others which i wont say, see it for yourself and see what you think :)!