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ronniactor
Reviews
Backfire (1987)
Outstanding movie - if you can find it!
This movie absolutely deserves a digital remaster and Blu-Ray release. It seems to have vanished into obscurity since the 1980's, and it's such a shame.
Being a huge Karen Allen fan, I'd been meaning to watch this movie since 1987, but the bizarre and vague poster of a pair of woman's legs never really inspired me to try. Having now, finally watched Backfire in 2024, I can honestly say womever designed that poster made a huge mistake - this movie is truly outstanding for its time, and the cheap poster nowhere near does it justice.
The plot is great, with lots of twists that kept me guessing right up until the end. The performances, especially from Karen Allen, are top notch. She really is superb in this movie. It was quite violent and gory in places, which i wasn't expecting - again, thanks to that awful poster! It has a very dark and creepy feel to it, and whomever the D. O. P. Was did a terriffic job.
I don't want to spoil it for anyone who hasn't seen it, but do try and dig this one up, it's very much worth a watch. It's just such a shame it's so hard to track down, they really should remaster and re-release this one - it's top notch stuff.
Frasier (2023)
It's everything that it should be, wonderful stuff!
It's just wonderful to see Frasier back on our screens. They had a big old pair of boots to fill to follow the original series, but they did everything right.
The first couple of episodes didn't really "grab" me, but I still enjoyed them. However, I stuck with it, and I'm really glad I did. The thing that initially bothered me was probably that Frasier was the only character to continue on from the old series, but remember, that's how the original Frasier series started - those were all new characters at the time, until we grew to love them!
I've now watched all 10 episode of this new series. It was wonderful to see Lilith and Roz return - the selfish part of me would have hoped for more of the old characters returning, but they didn't overdo it, which is a good thing. I'm fairly certain I heard Niles' voice in that air hockey table, though!
One thing I would definitely reccomend - once you've watched all 10 episode of this new series - give it a week or so, then watch the whole series over again. That familiar "comfort food" feel we get from watching the original series is actually there when you watch the new series a second time! And it leaves you wanting more.
One thing I did notice that was different was that the studio audience sound like they are sitting really far away from the action. In the original series, the audience sounded a bit louder and closer to the stage, which made it feel a bit more homely. Maybe they just record audiences differently these days.
I sincerely hope they continue making new episodes/seasons, because they've really nailed it. One can only hope, as an Actor myself, that one day I might be blessed with a role on this wonderful show. It's pure magic.
Resident Evil (2022)
SHAKY CAM ALERT! Netflix can't afford a tripod?
Once again, we are forced to endure VIOLENTLY shaking hand-held camera movements and extremely fast-paced cutting, any time there is action on the screen.
I am SICK of it - literally. The camera shakes SO aggressively that it gives me extreme motion sickness, followed by nausea, followed by turning it off.
Please, for the LOVE OF GOD, stop filming action scenes in this way, it is unwatchable! I lasted just a few minutes into the first episode, and couldn't take any more. Not because of the gore or violence - because of the motion sickness!
I've said it before, and I'll say it again - USE A DAMN TRIPOD!!!
The Golden Girls: Old Friends (1987)
Leaves you stunned.
I've always loved this episode of The Golden Girls, but I understand it even more having lost my Father to Dementia.
Joe Seneca plays the role of Alvin with heartbreaking accuracy. A truly stunning performance. The good old Golden Girls comedy still surrounds this devastating storyline, but I now find this a very difficult episode to watch.
This show was always well ahead of its time, dealing with very serious issues whilst still giving us belly laughs. But this episode will stay with me for the rest of my life. I miss my Dad terribly, and I remember him through the tears that this episode never fails to produce.
This is everything a sitcom should be. I don't think this episode could ever be topped by any other show. Superb.
Mr. Harrigan's Phone (2022)
Awful editing makes this unwatchable.
I managed to make it 20 minutes in, before I couldn't watch any more.
It's beautifully shot, and I was enjoying the story, but whomever edited this must have had a bus to catch.
There's not one single shot that stays on the screen for more than 2 or 3 seconds. It's constantly (and rapidly) flitting from one shot to another, even in slow-moving scenes, the camera is constantly cutting to different angles. The images move so quickly, I couldn't even read the title of a book on a shelf in one shot.
When the editing is so rapid-fire, it makes it very difficult for the viewer to form any connection to the characters, the locations, or the story.
After 20 minutes of this dreadfully fast editing, I had to quit. I just couldn't follow it. I felt as thought I was being rushed through a place at high speed, when all I wanted to do was slow down, look around, and take it all in.
Sorry, but the editing is a huge failure here.
The Pentaverate (2022)
Now I know why I didn't get the part!
I almost got an audition to be in this show - now I know why I didn't get the part... Mike Myers plays about 100 roles! Thanks, Mike!
Love the show, though! Has me screaming with laughter!
Rampage (2018)
CGI
CGI helicopters fire CGI rockets at CGI monsters climbing CGI buildings in a CGI Chicago.
CGI.
The Gulf of Silence (2020)
HORRIBLE editing!
I could only manage 12 minutes. The picture kept cutting out every few seconds, to the point where I actually thought there was a fault with my streaming service!
Just a horrible, horrible format. It's like watching a slow strobe light. Who the hell edits like this?!
Kill Chain (2019)
Shaky cam strikes again...
Managed half an hour, but I couldn't watch any more because of the constant, violently shaking camera. It's so distracting, you can't focus on anything or connect with the characters! Use a damn tripod, PLEASE.
Terminator: Dark Fate (2019)
So near, and yet, so far...
True Terminator fans lauded the return of Linda Hamilton, but I'll keep this short...
Linda Hamilton should have been the protagonist.
Arnold Schwarzenegger should have been the antagonist.
John Connor should not have been killed off.
Needed more gore and violence. What little there was seems to have hastily been added in post to appease fans.
Had the above been adhered to, this movie would have been the 3rd Terminator we had all been longing for. Hopefully they'll make another, and make it right.