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Reviews
Detectorists (2014)
Laugh and cry with joy
Who'd have thought that Gareth from the office was better than Ricky gervais at writing because this series is probably as perfect as it gets in depicting ordinary people with extraordinary depth in their every day lives metal detecting, trying to earn money, commenting on tv shows and everyone's relationships. This show is not really about metal detecting , interesting as it is, it's about people and their lives which is so important to define and so difficult to write. The central relationship of Lance and Andy is so well observed - the ups and downs etc. I laughed so hard and I cried in their moments of joy and despair. The theme song almost brings you to tears thinking about the kings of old being lost to time. Mackenzie Crook is a genius and Toby Jones is a master at work. All the supporting cast are also perfect.
Heart of Stone (2023)
Far fetched confusing rubbish
If I read the script, I'd really have no idea what's going on. Agencies with ability to see everything and everyone in real time tracks other agencies and baddies. Gal Gadot cannot really act . See "I like what you've done with the place" one liner. Everyone else serves to make her look good as she's A list and everyone else isn't.
Can't get Kevin from Motherland out of my head when watching him . The swimming coach from the swimmers plucking nothing out of the air but really plucking info from the heart. Bourne was far fetched in this tracking in real time spy genre but at least it was exciting. Nowadays the blue print is : get an a lister, surround with theatre actors, film on location in Europe, have James Bond type stunts. Throw in some humour, glamour and modern music and cast lots of different ethnicities so as not to offend anyone and to appeal to different watchers and voila the modern spy thriller. But you need something else to be memorable: memorable score, the music and editing in fight routines is so unoriginal. Use more unique camerawork don't just use Paul Greengrass's jerky handheld to create chaos idea, use more originality. Get a better script!
Avatar: The Way of Water (2022)
Clever effects . Seen it all before storyline.
I'm over 50 and have been a cinephile all my life and frankly the general trend in sci Fi since Star Wars has been to go big on effects and less devoted to the story line which all are very similar . Greed , revenge, and a fight sequence at the end that goes on for ever.
Avatar 2 is no exception. It looks gorgeous , and one has to admire the technology in rendering such lifelike animation using modern motion capture. This is the part which I don't mind. The story however is more of the same , the film is too self indulgent at times and drags on too long . Just because a sequence looks gorgeous or lots of money has been spent on it, doesn't mean it has to be included.
The music is forgettable and there is no signature or motif that one remembers, the ending is underwhelming and unresolved , it implies more of the same in avatar 3, Sam worthington's acting is stilted, the screenplay is not well written or exciting, there are no big surprises or twists and there is no humour or relief . My 12 yr old daughter thought it was forgettable and too long. But, it looks amazing; shame someone can't do something original with this technology.
Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)
Weird just weird
Enthusiastic performances by all but jeez is this hard to follow. Definitely for a young audience. It's like a zombie apocalypse movie without the zombies.
Glad to see the guy from Indiana Jones doing stuff again but Jamie Lee Curtis , come on.
Michelle yeoh is good and I appreciate the efort involved but after half an hour Michelle says this doesn't make any sense and I know how she feels.
I wasn't sure what universe each character was in . It's pacy but unintelligible. Judging by the rating it must excite and please some people but for a 50 something it comes across as the kind of film my 9 year old would dream up . I mean what the actual frack is going on.
Thirteen Lives (2022)
Decent film shame about accents
Good film, we'll directed and shot. Really get a sense of the chlostraphobia . Liked most of film but unfortunately Colin Farrell cannot do a neutral English accent - it comes across as someone trying to be dour in order to catch the right accent and Viggo Mortensen is not much better. He was in and out of a decent attempt at an accent . Shame. The documentary was more riveting but not a bad film at all.
Man vs Bee (2022)
Brilliant
Stupid yes
Funny yes
Escapism yes
Rowan looking a bit past it yes
Frustrating yes but that's the beauty
My daughter loved it
I even laughed
Give it a chance
Great stuff.
Great house I want one
But not the bee though.
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent (2022)
Brilliant concept
Great self deprication. Shows his willingness to embrace himself and all his talents and flaws. Give this man a big budget movie again or another shot at an Oscar
This film should have done better than it did. Loved it.
Killing Eve: Just Dunk Me (2022)
Terrible. Incoherent. Not gripping
I loved series one. Series 2 was ok. 3 was not brilliant. Series 4 episodes 1 and 2 were not good. Not exciting not gripping . I'm giving up. Shame. Should have paid original writer whatever they wanted to do series 4. They didn't and it's boring and self indulgent and weird ( Nelles alter ego ) 2 stars for cinematography and acting.
The Power of the Dog (2021)
Why so many accolades
Looks great, acted and directed fabulously but far too slow and boring. Just not enough events to keep me interested. Shame. If it's going to be a slow film, that's fine, but you need to be drawn in and I wasn't, sorry.
The Lost Daughter (2021)
Superb brave film
Any reviewer that says it's boring has not invested in the emotion of the story. A woman looking back on her decisions as a younger mother, prompted by a young mum she meets on holiday , is the central hitherto uncovered theme of parenting. It is slow paced but beautifully crafted, shot and acted and leaves you as the viewer to make theirown conclusions. Utterly beguiling and a superb film.
The Wheel of Time: Leavetaking (2021)
Fabulous. If you like Witcher or G.o.t
Beautiful. Amazing sets and scenery. Rosa mind Pike in top form. Great CGI. Lighting and atmosphere top notch. Great fight sequences with trillocs. Can't wait to see episode 2.
The Beatles: Get Back: Part 1: Days 1-7 (2021)
Interesting but not what I wanted
I want to see an a-z documentary on the Beatles. The opening sequence charting their rise is great then suddenly your in a warehouse where it's a bit bitty and boring. Nice to see the Beatles in such glorious crisp colour but a bit slow to watch. I appreciate the effort and the fact it's from hours of footage but one has to ask if it's all necessary. Make a documentary charting their rise and fall and we'll have a more of an emotional journey to follow.
Jolt (2021)
Great fun and well shot
Popcorn movie. Good cast. Kate Beckinsale is great and kicks ass! I love the way it's filmed. I loved laverne cox in it too. It's not going to win any oscars but it's a great Friday night movie.
8 rue de l'Humanité (2021)
Broad humour wasted on good actors
You might think that because of Bienvenue chez les chtis, Danny would be selective of all the scripts that come his way. I'm guessing he did this as there was nothing else. Overacted, poor script , predictable plot. Didn't laugh once.
Last Christmas (2019)
Perfect popcorn Ron com
If you like Notting hill and love actually, you'll love this. If you like George Michael's music you'll enjoy this film. If you like neither you will not enjoy this film. Simples.
The Blind Side (2009)
Not good enough for today
Well acted and filmed etc but the story is 'button pressingly' predictable. White saviour film a bit like the help , finding forrester and hidden figures. Not enough characterisation of the main lead, Michael. His performance is fine but not full or rounded. Sandra bullock acts well and does her best with the script but I feel it could've been better. If you're white and wealthy you'll like this film.
Nine Perfect Strangers (2021)
Promises a lot but goes nowhere
Intriguing start. A list actors. Where's the twist? When it comes it's underwhelming. LSD?? Bit pretentious really and probably better as a book.
Sophie's Choice (1982)
Far too slow in the first hour by today's standards
We'll acted. Deep and meaningful last hour but takes ages to get going and too indulgent in the development of the 3 main characters at the beginning. Peter Macnicol seems odd casting once you see this film after aly mcbeal and ghostbusters 2, but was probably fine in 1982!
Wild Mountain Thyme (2020)
Walken's Accent ruins film
Perhaps if you're American you might miss how bad some of the accents are , especially Walken. I guess that no one had the courage to say 'Look Christopher, it ain't working!' Emily Blunt's accent is better but not great either. Every time they speak it jars on you plus it's a plotless film!
Mary Poppins Returns (2018)
Looks good shame about the interpretations
Why does Emily Blunt do such an affected haughty posh accent. She comes across as arrogant and headmistressy. Julie Andrews voice was lighter and warmer and less posh and she had a glint in the eye.
Is lin Manuel Miranda's accent supposed to be ironic and a nod to DV Dykes voice?
Kids great, firth superbly hamming it up as a baddie, Mortimer perfect . Wishall a bit geeky
It's not terrible but I just wish they'd got the voice tones a bit better. Songs are not instant classics but maybe with time. Overall ok
Artemis Fowl (2020)
Absolutely awful
Too many movies nowadays rely on big fx and clever cgi sequences, gorgeous locations and slick direction and editing
We're the studio interfering where everyone is liking what it looks like but forgetting the basics, good stories and originality. Looks great but looks like every other film with chi effects. Dull acting by all. Terrible script no heart. All in all mediocre
Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga (2020)
Hit and Miss but a good effort
Likeable cast . I understand the need for big Hollywood stars to sell movie to USA but both are a bit old for their roles. Dan Stevens does an ok Borat crossed with Bruno impression and great to see real Eurovision stars in the house number. Pierce brosnan as miscast as mamma Mia and the semi final doesn't have live jury votes. Good music though , very Eurovision and costumes and just like secret life of Walter Mitty I want to go to Iceland. Definitely watchable if you like Eurovision. If you don't like Eurovision you'll hate this
Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
Remake of return of the Jedi
Force awakens promising
Rogue one superb
Last Jedi indulgent and messy
Solo ok
Rise of Skywalker loud repetitive not clear, bad script , bringing back emperor cos need a baddie but no explanation as to how he survived or who his son was , Ben kenobi doing a Vader . Chucking in some old faces for no reason. eWorld celebrations again !? Not one for the connoisseur
Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
Remake of return of the Jedi
Force awakens promising
Rogue one superb
Last Jedi indulgent and messy
Solo ok
Rise of Skywalker loud repetitive not clear, bad script , bringing back emperor cos need a baddie but no explanation as to how he survived or who his son was , Ben kenobi doing a Vader . Chucking in some old faces for no reason. eWorld celebrations again !? Not one for the connoisseur
The Witcher (2019)
Fabulous give it time
Very good . Well acted directed, shot and scored
Takes a while to figure out who's who and what timeline you're in but I remember got season one being overwhelmed by the characters too. I can see this doing well as time goes in