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Reviews
Spy/Master (2023)
Poor actors and passable story
As with every Romanian-based production, the local actors have trouble... acting. While I do agree that this specific show has a touch better than average acting from the Romanian stars, it is still like they're doing a play on a theatre stage or, worse yet, acting in a Spanish soap on Telemundo.
The sets and production value is good, but the story itself leaves a lot to be desired. The acting is wooden even if you exclude the Romanians -- the FBI and CIA agents are facsimilies of what you'd expect in a US produced TV show.
And even so, the writing itself is a let down. While the research rings true to life, form and the time portrayed, the lines are simple and have no subtlety to them. This is poor in a dialogue-driven spy thriller.
A 5 out of 10 is the most this could ever get.
The Lighthouse (2019)
Could be good with a proper edit.
I'm not going to go over the plot, as you probably already read the synopsis.
This is an actual film, that gives its characters a chance to shine. There are great monologues, there's some good chemistry and the situation starts out believable.
However, it goes downhill from 45 minutes onward. I would've loved for the screenwriter to explore the supernatural angle more -- how much time did elapse?, could it be more of just terpentine-induced halluciation?, but alas, none of that is present.
Characters have good chemistry but are shallow and underdeveloped, which is an amazing feat since this is a character film.
But the biggest problem by far is the editing. This thing should've been less than 90 minutes. "Brevity is the soul of wit." said a smart man once. It's as true today as it was back then.
Dafore and Pattinson do a good job; the cinematography is great and the effects and sound design are good too.
With a tighter script, and some better editing, this would've been a classic.
The Mandalorian: Chapter 4: Sanctuary (2019)
Like a Xena Warrior Princess episode
The story, the pacing, the dialogue and action are all reminiscient of a 90s show called Xena Warrior Princess. ... that's now set in the Star Wars universe.
Formula 1: Drive to Survive (2019)
Cookie-cutter take on F1
I know it doesn't have Mercedes and Ferrari, but it skirts Drew, Brawn, it doesn't have Brundle but focuses on Buxton's take on almost all of it.
There are no other media personalities of note, not even Tanya or anyone else.
The circus is huge and valuable opinions from long-running pundits are good. I feel like the series has taken a blunt approach by featuring those who would give them the time of day.
As in, as a long-time fan, I can see where the access given to the Netflix team was limited and where it was not. And mostly, it was extremely limited... and as such, the scope and tone of the show is geared for drama but drama that can be mitigated.
They duck the hard problems/questions/rivalries, they don't accent the HUGE history of the sport. No EJ, no Briatore, no Jaque, no COLOR... these personalities would make the show better -- not making the show ABOUT them but letting them voice opinions about the drivers and events of the season portrayed.
As is, it's a lot of made-up exaggerated drama for newcomers with the king of please-everyone no-controversy Will Buxton.
Hacks (2012)
They've got a hit!
With stories taken right out of the NewsCorp phone hacking scandal, "Hacks" is a TV movie (40-odd minutes) based on the running of a British tabloid, that hits the mark and then stamps on it.
Fast-paced dialogue and quick cuts make the movie seem like it has action and purpose, which it ultimately does, even though most of it is exposition. The writing is very sharp and the satire keeps on coming.
It's much more serious than initially appears and, though it is a comedy, it slips into drama a few times. Being just 40 minutes long means it doesn't outstay its welcome and takes itself as serious as spying on celebrities should be. "They're celebs. If they have a publicist, it's fair game".
The cast is amazing, with Claire Foy and Michael Kitchen doing amazing work.
It's January 1st and 2012 is already looking good thanks to "Hacks". The only downside is that it will get dated very soon. In a few months, maybe a year, the deeper meaning will be lost and the movie will seem trivial. Nevertheless, it deserves more.