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Station Eleven (2021)
Exceptional writing
I don'tever feel compelled to give television such a high rating but i felt this one deserves a 10.
Exceptional writing, dialog and acting. Every single character had enough depth so that they weren't 2 dimensional comic characters.
The changes from the novel worked, it's not an exact retelling but this stands on its own perfectly.
Take Shelter (2011)
But why science fiction?
I love science fiction in general and I loved this movie but how in the heck did this end up with a science fiction tag?
Anyway... here's what I saw in this movie about mental health. A good man, who wants to be a good husband and father struggles with his familial history of mental health issues and his own anxieties about protecting his family from the world. No one else can see his concerns. His partner at work doesn't see the birds. His family doesn't see the lightning. He even says "is anyone seeing this?" But no, they don't. He feels completely alone in his fears. His wife, though she can't see the coming storms, stands firmly by his side. In the end a raging storm (his upcoming treatment?) is on the horizon, he and his wife both see it is coming. They both silently acknowledge the coming storm, its going to be tough but they'll weather it together.
This was a soulful, deeply moving movie. I've liked Shannon in other roles but this one made me see him as a true power player. Chastain is equally impressive. I believed them both.
This movie deserved/s more attention. But I love that it was a mostly buried gem that I was able to uncover and enjoy.
41 (2012)
Worth a watch
Sure it's low budget and doesn't have the best acting but it's a decent story. I thought I had it all plotted out but was pleased to find that I hadn't. I enjoyed it.
Countdown (1967)
Not the best
Despite a great cast this movie kind of drags along. It's an interesting enough movie since it's contemporaneous with the actual moon-shot effort. It kind of flows like a space-procedural quasi-documentary, as if it was modeled on 60s police procedural TV show. It's kind of what I expected so I wasn't too disappointed.
Ad Astra (2019)
Bad storytelling first, bad science second
First, it doesn't bother me the science is bad. I would be ok overlooking it if the story was coherent and compelling.
There are so many problems with the storytelling. In the end i think it's supposed to be a thoughtful "sins of the father" and "human nature" story, with hints of "Moby Dick" and " Heart of Darkness" but that fails because the characters and situations are so it up to the challenge. And there is so much clutter; What did the mayday side-trip have to do with the story, What did moon pirates contribute, What did the Martian "lake" contribute?
All the problems with the storytelling make the science fiction backdrop the only thing left to save the movie... and it didn't; there is too much wrong there to even begin to suspend disbelief.
I give it a 2 for some nice pictures.
How It Ends (2018)
Read this to save 1hr 52mins.
A big event happens! Road trip. Fights over gas. Oh look another roadblock.
This happens, then that happens and oh look a pool! Ha ha ha.
Then something else happens, then a little social awareness. Another something happens.
Wow this air is rough, wish I had a respirator, oh good there's one.
Then... crazy guy! Oh dear, Another big event! Quick, RUN! The end.
I just don't know what this movie wanted to be. Unfortunately it ended up being a series of events strung together with no real story or point. The dialog is mostly just a series of word string together with no real meaning.
One Star out of respect to Whitaker.
Flatliners (2017)
I ignored the reviews...
I deserved what I got.
How many horror movie clichés can you pack into one movie? Let's find out.
The Terror (2018)
Greta Scacchi as Lady Jane Hamilton is a Revelation
I am only up to the 4th episode at this point but I am terribly impressed.
Sure there are problems, such as no condensation, as pointed out by another reviewer, but these do not detract from the overall quality. This how television drama should be done.
The locations and sets are superb, the atmosphere is haunting and the acting is excellent.
In the 4th episode, Greta Scacchi, as lady Jane Hamilton is quite a treat. I totally believe her character. Again, this is how television drama ought to be done.
Beyond (2014)
Not as bad as the reviews led me to think...
The story is a retelling of a theme that's been done before, but it's done well and the acting is very good in my opinion.
There are so many clues as to what's actually going on, the repeated phrases, the surreal events... sonogram in the woods, come on people, it's not literal. The people shown in multiple roles (think Wizard of Oz here... "and you were there, and you were there...") Also we go from impending doom from an Asteroid to Alien invasion with no one questioning the transition. As another reviewer has mentioned, The scenarios in the film are all there because they are something the main character has seen or experienced.
I believe that the bad reviews are due to people taking the movie too literally. I see the whole movie as sort of a fever dream" When I watched it, I immediately thought of "Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge". When you realize what's going on it makes much more sense.
Overall, I would recommend it.