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Joe Pickett: Circling Vultures (2021)
Neutral Binger Review
I am commenting on episodes one and two, after reading all the reviews. This critic that has access to most every major streaming network, and have binge watched many different series. I don't read books, I watch TV. I just started binging Joe Pickett. My standards are high. My measuring stick is the most entertaining and successful current phenom series, Yellowstone. It is no coincidence that many recent series are cowboy/horse/ranch/cattle/wildlife related, usually with vast and open mountainous backdrops. One reviewer mentioned the CGI elk (episode 1), I spotted that instantly. I hate CGI anything and can usually spot it 99% of the time. I say this because it has become the cost-saving and lazy-man's way of adding action that could be created for real. It cheapened the series for me instantly, especially in the initial pilot episode. Compare this with the opening pilot scene of Yellowstone where John Dutton has to put down his horse (my mom refused to watch the series as soon as she saw that). Yes, all of these are fictitious soap-operas where anything goes. I believe the trick to success is to portray a story with a perfect mix of realism and fantasy, usually squeezed into an unrealistic timeline. If successful, the timeline becomes transparent and insignificant. Timelines are tricky and come into play more than most might realize. Usually, the more one notices a timeline, the more it takes away from the realism, i.e., facial injuries, pregnancies', etc., etc.. Other components of a successful series include believable and/or likeable characters, more than just the main character(s). So far, Joe Pickett is just okay, so far, it is lacking the realism effect. I plan to watch to the end (season 2). My overall rating might improve, only time will tell. For now it's just a 5-star "okay". I am not comparing this to the books. From what my mom has told me, rarely ever are the movies/series as good as the books (she's always been a voracious reader at 88 years young) Don't get me started on how I find it entertaining reading reviews that dissect fictious characters as if they were real people (psychotic, insane, etc., etc.). The more a character gets talked about, bad or good, usually reflects how talented the actor is with their character. Some actors fit their part and/or grow into the character better than others. Look for my final review in the last episode of the 2nd season when I get there.... 'nuff said.
Firestarter (2022)
The Stars Are For Stephen King
This might have done a tiny bit better with reviews and ratings if the 1984 movie was never made. While I expect remakes to have variances and alternate versions/aspects, this remake had nothing in common with the original, except making someone believe the $1 was a $100 bill... Differences and similarities are expected if not welcomed in remakes. However the changes in this version cheapened the overall story and quite confusing at times. Even the 1984 effects had better impact, Charlie and Andy's telekinetic powers always consistent. This remake, Charlie's 'expanded' telekinetic powers were inconsistent and seem to be able to do what she wanted like Superman or something. It would be unfair to compare the two different cast of actors, so I won't. Let's just say that 1984's cast was/is legendary. This film was a complete miss for me, I'm glad I didn't pay to see it at the theater. I gave it 4 stars only because it is a Stephen King story, I give this remake 2 thumbs down. Now, I need to fix my frustration by watching the original for the umpteenth time again....
Line of Duty (2019)
A Lead Balloon
As I started watching this movie, for the first 30 minutes I was trying to figure out if this is an action movie comedy or a combination of the two. I don't mean funny dialog, I mean the ridiculousness and outrageously over the top pursuit and action scenes. Everything is so obviously and miraculously over the top that I was thinking maybe comedy was what they were going for. The ending as predictable with all loose ends neatly tied up and everybody holding hands happy. Even if viewed as a comedy, it isn't my style. I mean no disrespect towards any of the actors, they did what the script wanted them to. No amount or quality of acting could improve this bomb. I'm just glad I didn't pay anything to watch it.
Eye of the Tiger (1986)
Absurdity Runs Amok
I'm not sure why I continued to watch this movie to the end, has to be habit. It is as cheesy-cheap and predictable as they come. If that was what they were going for, then they nailed it. I wouldn't even call this a B movie, it is more of a C- movie. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the accomplished actors- Busey, Kotto, Cassel and Smith but this movie did not serve them well. If anything it took away from them. It is nothing more than a bad made-for-TV movie with a little gore and a couple of F-bombs, I'm assuming, to achieve the R rating in an effort to bring in more viewership. Yes it can be said it has lots of action, but it is lame, network TV quality action even for mid-1980s action movies. My guess is that the 3 million budget directly reflects the quality of effects and predictable same old done and redone family-harm and revenge story and hopefully the bulk went to the real talent. I would have liked to see how much the movie grossed but oddly enough, it is not listed, maybe because it didn't even bring in enough to cover the expense. Maybe I've gotten too accustomed to the more modern higher standards of B movie making today. If so, disregard this review.
Head Full of Honey (2018)
Feel Good Movie
Is this movie 100% realistic? No, but then again what movies are? Does this movie deal with a real-world subject? Yes. Movies are made to stimulate people's senses, This one does exactly that, it condenses a story of a family dealing with the horrible disease of Alzheimer's. Anyone that knows anything about this disease knows that it can affect different people in different ways and over different lengths of time. This movie covers a most of the bases from A to Z. While it is classified as a "comedy drama", it find it more of a light-hearted drama. It is mostly a fantasy that anyone that has or has had to deal with it would wish it could be such a profound and adventurous ending to the life of one unfortunate to be afflicted with this disease. But then again, this is Hollywood, real life stories of Alzheimer's life ending are not nearly as fantastical nor would they be fun or entertaining to watch. The acting is appropriately good. I never watched the original. When I was browsing for a movie to watch, I came across this and saw Nick Nolte as the lead, it made me want to watch it. I was not disappointed.