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Sean Kerr
Reviews
Avatar: The Way of Water (2022)
Disappointing Compared to Avatar
Although this is visually and aurally very impressive with some great action sequences, it's badly lacking in terms of plot, character development and feel, and feels overly long.
Overall I'd say it's decent but left me feeling pretty similar to the all action/CGI superhero / Marvel franchise movies and, as Martin Scorcese says, like a theme park ride but not proper filmmaking.
This is a shame as I really liked the original, which left me with a real sense of wonderment and emotion, leaving me thinking about it for days after. The Way of Water, however, whilst not devoid of these qualities, fell well short.
Overall, worth watching if you're a fan of the original, but don't it to be up there with that film.
Punk in London (1977)
Lazy and Unprofessional
A rather disappointing documentary that is a missed opportunity.
No introduction, no narration or subtitles (either for German spoken language section or to narrate who's on screen).
Basically just a bunch of low-quality footage put together with no narrative or explanation as to what we're watching, apart from the music, which is self explanatory if you know the bands.
There are a couple of interesting sections, including The Jam performing Carnaby Street and In The City at The 100 Club in 1977 and a section on The Clash in Germany.
Overall, could have been so much better with a bit of effort and professionalism.
Ozark: A Hard Way to Go (2022)
A Superb Finale to a Superb Series
Serious folks... don't be put off watching this series because of the multitude of 1 star reviews on the last episode. Without giving spoilers, since this review is aimed at people who haven't watched it, this episode ties everything up perfectly with a very clear ending in keeping with the whole story, the behaviour of the characters and their story arcs. Brilliant written, acted, directed and shot.
Godzilla vs. Kong (2021)
Amusement Park Ride Cinema
Martin Scorsese could have been referring to this film when he said that modern action movies have more in common with theme park rides than filmmaking.
Horrendous plot, terrible acting... all it had was great sound and some impressive CGI. Not enough for me...
The Office (2005)
A Horrendous US Remake of a UK Success
Just like The Inbetweeners, this US version of The Office is absolutely dreadful, whereas the original UK versions are absolutely superb.
Whiplash (2014)
Tremendous Filmmaking
An outstanding piece of filmmaking that keeps you invested from start to finish. Phenomenal acting performances By Miles Teller and J.K. Simmons and expert editing and cinematography, all of which contribute to maintaining the intensity of the film.
A superb soundtrack and sound quality, the music is amazing.
The Green Mile (1999)
A Beautiful Film
An extremely emotional and poignant story with a magical element. Brilliantly written, directed and acted. One of my favourite films.
Lady and the Tramp (2019)
Decent but Confused
Watched this the night after watching the original again, which I'd rate at 8/10. Overall I quite enjoyed it but feel they should have either not tried to make it woke or modernised it completely and set the story in modern times, rather than the early 1900s, as per the original. The result was confused. Examples:
1. The human character actors behaved and spoke like modern day people. Just didn't fit with the period surroundings and clothing.
2. The racial diversity would have been illegal in many southern US states in those days.
3. Why change the gender of Jock to a female (Jockaline)? Pointless diversity.
4. The Siamese cats changed and the hilarious "We Are Siamese" song and associated choreography replaced. Come on!
Apart from that, the hilarious beaver scene is gone, as is the equally brilliant "bum, bum, bum ruff" from the bulldog during the song "He's a Tramp".
On the plus side, some of the voiceovers are great and the dog scenes keep it going.
Shame, could have been so much better but still worth a watch I'd say.
Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001)
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.................
Can't see what all the fuss is about - I thought this was a complete pile of cack. Whilst I can appreciate JCM's performance, the direction and the music it just didn't knit together for me. Yes and before all you superior beings say I didn't GET IT, I got every feeble message including the split people, Yitzhak being a woman (within a second), wig in a box passed over to Yitzhak, etc. I just found the film dragged and was a total bore. Even watching it on a $70,000 system couldn't save it.
I have 750 DVD's and have never switched one off before the end - this came very close...I hated it.
Velvet Goldmine is far better if you want Glam Rock and Almost Famous blows this away.
Caddyshack (1980)
The worst film I've EVER seen
This is cringeworthy stuff to the nth degree. The repeated vain attempts at "humour" are just NOT funny. I didn't even smile once never mind laugh. I can't believe I bought the DVD on the strength of the IMDB reviews. Out of the 200 DVDs I have this is clearly the worst by some margin, and easily the worst film I've ever seen. Absolute drivel!
Caddyshack (1980)
The worst film I've EVER seen
This is cringeworthy stuff to the nth degree. The repeated vain attempts at "humour" are just NOT funny. I didn't even smile once never mind laugh. I can't believe I bought the DVD on the strength of the IMDB reviews. Out of the 200 DVDs I have this is clearly the worst by some margin, and easily the worst film I've ever seen. Absolute drivel!
Moulin Rouge! (2001)
Simply Stunning!
Never seen anything like this and easily jumps straight into my all-time top ten.
The story, screenplay, direction, cinematography, music, singing, dance and costume are all just breathtaking. Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor are both fantastic in their roles, especially their singing.
From the very beginning right through to the titles I was spellbound - this is film making of the highest order. Just stunning!
Caddyshack (1980)
The worst film I've EVER seen
This is cringeworthy stuff to the nth degree. The repeated vain attempts at "humour" are just NOT funny. I didn't even smile once never mind laugh. I can't believe I bought the DVD on the strength of the IMDB reviews. Out of the 200 DVDs I have this is clearly the worst by some margin, and easily the worst film I've ever seen. Absolute drivel!
eXistenZ (1999)
Absolute Drivel!
I can't believe that so many people not only liked this but loved it. OK the detail of plot is very original but so many other aspects disappoint.
Firstly, and most noticeably, the acting is absolutely horrendous, being grossly stilted and wooden. You could run a bus through some of the cues and I've seen far better on an amateur stage. Secondly, the screenplay is appalling - the dialogue just doesn't flow. Thirdly, the direction is woeful - the pace just never picks up and the whole thing just becomes one big frustrating, boring drag. Even though the effects are decent the acting, script and direction give it a real B movie feel.
I consider myself to be somewhat of a film lover - I like virtually all genres. However, and I may be in the minority on this, but I can safely say that this is the worst film I have seen in a long, long time.
The Acid House (1998)
Pure Invine welsh!
This is unbelievable! Has all the usual Irvine Welsh ingredients - scabby parts of Edinburgh like Pilton, lots of colourful language, plenty of violence, sex/nudity and masses of humour. Although much of the humour will cross many peoples line of bad taste, this is absolutely hilarious. Being from just outside Edinburgh, the scary thing is that these type of people actually exist.
Many of the cast from Trainspotting, Small faces and Looking out for Jo Jo reappear.
This is tremendous for all the above reasons. The soundtrack is pretty impressive too.
Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992)
A visual and aural mix of horror, suspense and romance.
True to the book version of the Dracula story, and superbly put together. Reeves is a bit wooden and his English accent is not good! On the contrary, Ryder's accent is pure English rose. Oldman is superb throughout (he uses enormous energy to portray a full range of emotions - rage, fear and love) and the sound is breathtaking with the rears really used to full effect, adding enormously to the horror and suspense. Unfortunately, Hopkins is incredible hammy in his role as Van Helsing - amazing considering some of the brilliant work he has done. Overall, though this a visual and aural treat and, if you watch it loud in Dolby Digital, will keep you looking over your shoulder.
Dante's Peak (1997)
Tense Stuff!
This type of flick always gets varied reviews. Personally, I can't quite follow why so many people slated it with so much venom. In my opinion, Dante's Peak scores for effects, has excellent sound and builds up an intimacy with the main characters, unlike many other disasters movies. Some of the scenes are just TENSE! I would give this 8 out of 10. Not a masterpiece but I'd certainly watch it again.
The Quick and the Dead (1995)
A slightly tongue-in-cheek, modern western. Brilliantly shot and superb sound.
Anyone who wants to take the film seriously will probably be disappointed. This is a slightly tongue-in-cheek modern western. The direction is superb with the camera work and the sound being of the highest order (the full soundstage is used with stunning results).
Gene Hackman is his usual brilliant self, Sharon Stone is born for this part, Leonardo Di Caprio shows he can act and Russel Crowe is as good as he is in L.A. Confidential.
I love this film! I watched it three times on tape before buying the DVD (which I've now seen three times!)