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Reviews
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)
eyepoping, ties up many loose ends and leaves a few hanging
Drawing from the two prior movies and things that went on in other films they were tied to, this film pulls together a number of plot lines, fleshes out several characters more and leaves you hanging on a few threads for future development.
Its a bit long and a bit all over the place but the payoff is solid for a three movie story arc.
The music was less than stellar compared ot the prior 3 but arguably appropriate for the darker themes. We discover a the challenging past that "made" rocket and its sad and dark as well as revealing. The high evolutionary in the comics is a cold calculating arse who gets rid of experiements that dont work and that is dark and murderous so be prepared.
FYI, those who don't understand why starlord is drunk and depressed at the beginning of the film in other reviews must not have watched infinity wars.
Star Trek Continues (2013)
if you are a fan of the original series you have to watch this. seriously good stuff.
I watched tall 11 episodes of this series and I really really liked it. The special effects, make up etc were all mimics of the original series. Many of the stories were tied to some of the original stories. There is an 11 episode story arc tied to it all and caharacther development. It was such an wonderful nostalgia trip. I caught it all on youtube. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoyed the original series. Wonderful stuff.
Its faithful adaption and very well done.
The new counselor does add a bit of modern thought to the show but its mostly subtle.
Captain Marvel (2019)
Why did they make Carol Danvers so dull, so arrogant, so unlikeable.
My wife and I both thought it was bland. The action and special effects were nifty but Captain Marvel (I assume poor writing, not necessariily Brie Larsons performance) was dull. Granted there is a reason she acted in certain ways due to her situation but the direction of her performance was so stern, stiff, "i got this" that it was boring and not much was ever in doubt. The lack of emotion (also could be explained away by odd circumstance) but it left us empty.
As the audience walked out of the movie the things we overheard were similar to what we were thinking. She is so cocky so stupidly arrogant and simple flash backs of her childhood and youth getting back up and trying again didn't cut it for me in terms of building out the characters later actions.
Perhaps the studio billing this character as being possibly the strongest character in the marvel universe set it up to fail.....it seems the actor, writer, director took that to heart and made her more emotionless than needed and without full explanation as she explores her power in the end against enemy ships she takes needless risks allowing battle ship type hits to her person she could have avoided and shrugs them off in dare I say a super man level arrogance (sorry DC). She is essentially marvels superman now, with hand blasters, not eye beams and superman is dull dull dull because we all know no one can beat him.
I started reading marvel back in the early 70's. I stopped in the 80's. I was familiar with Mar Vell but never much cared for the intergalactic stuff so didn't read much.
I came in knowing this would be different, read some reviews to try and kick that bias out. I think i gave it a fair shot but it the tone for the main character was a dud.
>>>>>>>>
SPOILER.
1) for long time marvel readers there is a main story line reversal here where once bad is victim, is good that will blow you away in not good ways. that was tough to stomach but bear in mind I am more than 30 years out of reading comics. Its still messing with me a day later. It feels so wrong.
2) there is a character in the film that others in the film want data from, they send them on a pointless retrieval mission that puts that character in danger, which ends up in ambush and it never gets explained why the hell they would risk them in that way. outside of captain marvels dullness this plot point was the only major item i found.
Captain Marvel (2019)
Why did they make Carol Danvers so dull, so arrogant, so unlikeable.
My wife and I both thought it was bland. The action and special effects were nifty but Captain Marvel (I assume poor writing, not necessariily Brie Larsons performance) was dull. Granted there is a reason she acted in certain ways due to her situation but the direction of her performance was so stern, stiff, "i got this" that it was boring and not much was ever in doubt. The lack of emotion (also could be explained away by odd circumstance) but it left us empty.
As the audience walked out of the movie the things we overheard were similar to what we were thinking. She is so cocky so stupidly arrogant and simple flash backs of her childhood and youth getting back up and trying again didn't cut it for me in terms of building out the characters later actions.
Perhaps the studio billing this character as being possibly the strongest character in the marvel universe set it up to fail.....it seems the actor, writer, director took that to heart and made her more emotionless than needed and without full explanation as she explores her power in the end against enemy ships she takes needless risks allowing battle ship type hits to her person she could have avoided and shrugs them off in dare I say a super man level arrogance (sorry DC). She is essentially marvels superman now, with hand blasters, not eye beams and superman is dull dull dull because we all know no one can beat him.
I started reading marvel back in the early 70's. I stopped in the 80's. I was familiar with Mar Vell but never much cared for the intergalactic stuff so didn't read much.
I came in knowing this would be different, read some reviews to try and kick that bias out. I think i gave it a fair shot but it the tone for the main character was a dud.
>>>>>>>>
SPOILER.
1) for long time marvel readers there is a main story line reversal here where once bad is victim, is good that will blow you away in not good ways. that was tough to stomach but bear in mind I am more than 30 years out of reading comics. Its still messing with me a day later. It feels so wrong.
2) there is a character in the film that others in the film want data from, they send them on a pointless retrieval mission that puts that character in danger, which ends up in ambush and it never gets explained why the hell they would risk them in that way. outside of captain marvels dullness this plot point was the only major item i found.
The Commuter (2018)
the commuter speeds along as a serviceable B movie vehicle.....
You get some back story, red herrings, a sinister plot unfolds and action and misdirection ensues. Just watched this 1-29-19 on cable. Good flick but not his best. You can guess at some of it but there were some minor surprises and a plot that kept you moving along at a good pace.
The Favourite (2018)
Ann Was Bent?
Supposition by those interested in rewriting history for titilations sake(which is the case when you can't prove something) of for the sensation needed to get your university paper published and read or bought, speculates that Ann may have been .....
gay. She had 17 pregnancies all of which died..............................
In this film the focus is on a lesbian love triangle involving the three leads....the historical support for which is simply not there and as a history buff that is my major fault with stuff like this. it rewrites history and leads many astray into believing film is truth. Unlike the eleanor roosevelt's paper trail involving a house near the main residence FDR built for her at which her two well known lesbian friends lived in, the monogramed pajamas and the arguably longing love letters over the decades between Eleanor and the residents of said cottage the evidence for Ann is mere speculation...dare i say fueled by tenure and grant money and the writer of this films fancy.
A sold by bitter film, destroyed by playing games with truth 1 star for this unpardonable sin of fake history
Doctor Who: Resolution (2019)
I'm resolving to stop watching unless the bbc fires chinaballs
I cringed at the dales montage of its rebuild which was as stupid as the dr rebuilding his sonic screwdriver
Omg stop w the companion soap opera garbage.
The plan to take the dales off dad made little sense.
The script sounded like it underwent huge editing as it often seemed off tone an disjointed.
Z Nation (2014)
the final season 2018 really starts off with a cool twist
We thought the show was over and the gang had stopped the murder of all living things but their tinkering brought about something new to the world of Z. talking thinking zombies (so long as they are fed). Questions as to sentience, life, death etc were all scrambled wonderfully in the first couple of episodes this season.
then we got stuck in a long story about politics, elections, (shame they had to not so subtly drag trump in to it). Its been an interesting ride and we are now headed toward the 12/28 finale (final episode?) which will be a set battle (seems kind of lame).
I have enjoyed it but again I wish they had explored the ramifications of this new "life" a bit more.
its a cheesy scyfy show but a seriously guilty pleasure. I am hoping warren's farmer lover's return (last seen in the trunk of a car surrounded by zombies) will reveal something interesting to leave a bit hanging at the end. I would not mind a well thought out syfy znation movie or two that focuses on just one or two characters.
Bumblebee (2018)
Bumblebee is a non wimpy ET with near as much heart. Finally a good Transformer movie.
Went to see this with my wife on Christmas night 2018.
The reviews were good on rotten tomatoes so we took a chance tough we are not big fans of the transformer movies. Those movies have great special effects but they are the empty calorie sugar pop of movies.
This was different. The acting was better, the story pared down to one robot and two villians was focused and allowed for "character" development. You ended up giving a damn about this robot.
There was a solid back story for the bumblebee, why he cant talk and for actress who played off him. There was a young romance, family drama, humor and pratfalls that worked.......along with only two bad guys that allowed you to develop some bag guy character.
This is set in the 80's so be prepared for some The Smiths and other such wonderful 80's music.
Anna and the Apocalypse (2017)
SCHOOL IS COOL! Take every high school kid (& adult grad) you know who is into plays and musicals to this and tho
It starts off slow, you get catchy songs and super high quality dance routines, this is a super slick, earnest zombie musical the likes of which you have never seen.
The lead actress is going to be a big star some day. My wife thoght she looked like Katie Holmes and I thought Ann Hathaway but her acting "singing" dance moves and sheer presence in this kicks both their arses combined.
I hope the oscars nominates the film for best musical or best song just os they have to show the routine to the world and give this film a second chance to find a bigger audience
Not a 10 star because of the dark ending.....though perhaps a sequel someday..
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)
New life into spiderman and a cool ride but some double vision issues
I am really glad you see it from the perspective of a kid in an alternate univers which means doc and green goblin are different etc, so the rules are changed.
Not entirely sure why the main kid has the powers he does because it seems to have nothing to do with a spider but a robotic spider??
Nevertheless it was cool and the story was fun.
HOWEVER its clear the film was animated for 3D but when I watched it in my 2 d theater the normally blurred images in the background (the way we humans see things) were occasionally double images, the likes of which you see in a 3d movie when you watch for a second without the glasses. It was mildly annoying.
The Favourite (2018)
Ann Was Bent?
Supposition by those interested in rewriting history for titilations sake(which is the case when you can't prove something) of for the sensation needed to get your university paper published and read or bought, speculates that Ann may have been .....
gay. She had 17 pregnancies all of which died..............................
In this film the focus is on a lesbian love triangle involving the three leads....the historical support for which is simply not there and as a history buff that is my major fault with stuff like this. it rewrites history and leads many astray into believing film is truth. Unlike the eleanor roosevelt's paper trail involving a house near the main residence FDR built for her at which her two well known lesbian friends lived in, the monogramed pajamas and the arguably longing love letters over the decades between Eleanor and the residents of said cottage the evidence for Ann is mere speculation...dare i say fueled by tenure and grant money and the writer of this films fancy.
A sold by bitter film, destroyed by playing games with truth 1 star for this unpardonable sin of fake history
Doctor Who: Kerblam! (2018)
More topical indoctrination -Messaging and PC is just gone off the charts this season
Anti Corporation, check
Pro Union, check
Anti White Dude check
Ugh.
I keep hoping that the BBC will come to its senses orthat there is some genius story arch here and each week its more drivel of an education here. I want to be entertained well, not indoctrinated or educated poorly.
I cant take it anymore. When will they fire chinneyball and the writing staff.
this season is frakkiing lost.
The Walking Dead: Who Are You Now? (2018)
dead show walking
It just gets worse every week. i have been there since the first episode but loyalty only goes so far. bye bye.
Doctor Who: Demons of the Punjab (2018)
the doctor as tourist
Yet another team doctor tourist episode. Plus spoilers more politically correct preaching.....yawn
this season has been very disappointing.
not sure how much longer i can keep watching
i also want murry gold back, the music is cheesy
Overlord (2018)
Good War and Horror Flick - Though the casting was off
I saw this at an early showing Wednesday the 7th in Michigan.
The first 1/2 is a straight up war flick. I am a history channel nut and the scenes were as good as any I have seen.
Spoiler Info****
I liked that the main protaganist was inexperienced, and you watched him develop.
By the time they enter the town where there target was the menace of the Germans main antagonist comes in and you begin to learn there is something more in that church.
From there the fantastical horrors begin. I wish they had not made many of the creatures looked so deformed facially on the whole and the bone snapping birthing seemed unessary and bordered on the ridiculous.
28 days later is still a getter film but this was good fun and anytime you get to off a bunch of Nazi's (National Socialist German Workers Party) soldiers its good clean fun.
The casting of african americans was historically inaccurate in this film.....
At the time the policy required segregating black soldiers in the armed forces, there were no African-American infantry or paratroops landed in the Normandy invasion.
In northwest Europe, African-Americans didn't reach infantry units til late in the war, & then it was a matter largely of desperation. US infantry casualties during the campaign in northwest Europe were very high, especially in & after Normandy, during the fighting in the Hurtgen Forrest, at the Siegfried Line etc.
By 45 the US was running out of qualified infantry replacements & thus they turned to African-American support units for volunteers to go into the infantry. Thousands of african american troops volunteered to go.
Doctor Who: Arachnids in the UK (2018)
Arachnaphobia Lite
How sad to see the once mighty Dr. Who sink to this.
While the cast checks off a smorgasbord of minority groups, the writing has pushed to do the same with lots of lesbian innuendo surrounding yaz, and then the cherry on top was to put forward a character who supposedly hates trump but is the lefts stereotype of trump. The Doctor Who indoctrination of the young seems to be what the non story arc is this season in a season supposedly without story arcs.
That said the non alien threat was lame.
On a positive note or two, they did not wantonly kill the tycoon / cartoon villian, but instead left his story thread completely hanging. As for the spider special effects, they were lame for US TV but decent for BBC.
I LOVED THIS SHOW ONCE. I HATE WHAT CHRIS C IS DOING TO IT. FIRE HIM ASAP.
X Company: Naqam (2017)
Great Show. WWII Buffs, Spy Thriller Buffs, WATCH THIS NOW
I am nearing the final episode of this on TV, ie season three finale here in the states and its bittersweet. I love the acting, characters, the history, the realistic loss of characters as they do their work to stop the Nazis. The in the wrong job at the wrong time compromised german officer is a standout. His wife, the death of their child all of the conflicting things that swirl around him make him the prime mover of this show despite a solid cast around him. A sympathetic nazi trapped in his bonkers Reich, having to off his own kin due to defectiveness.......moving and frightening.
As for the rest of the cast the the lead actress should get lots of work in hollywood after this as should the most of the others.
The pre war carnival act with the steel trap mind should some day be considered for Doctor Who...at least make him a villain on the show and a recurring one at that.
The muscle of the group is already cast elsewhere on cable and he is maybe a future bruce willis....maybe.
This is clearly a low budget period piece and whomever is in charge of direction, writing, casting, filming makes absolutely the most out of a lack of sets. Genius. Syfy should seek out these people for their cheapo syfy movies as they coudl give a primer class in how do you do something classy with less.
Happy! (2017)
I am Happy that Happy has been renewed for season two. Loved this show
A depraved, refreshing show from syfy. a journey of redemption for a truly vile guy who is going up against some even sicker folks and perhaps even some sort of ancient evil (we'll have to find out in season two if thats the case and if happy is just some form of insanity or something even more special)
I love that the mob leader's family is on a reality show....within the show.
Just cause this is on SYFY does not mean its crap like their throw away movies helmed by long forgotten washed up stars. This is solid stuff.
Doctor Who (2005)
Sorry Jodie but this season sucks.
3 episodes in to season 11 and i am so disappointed
I feared stunt and politically correct casting, over stuffed number of companions that chick off a large number of minority boxes but DAMMIt i love Doctor who so I will give it a chance despite the misgivings and..............................it is a complete crap fest.
Chinball has got to go.
Doctor Who: Rosa (2018)
Rosa
This felt like an after school special to us americans. Some forgotten detail to be sure.
More woe is the minority companion and yay for ever enlightened politically progressive grandpa. ........3 episodes in and it feels forced.
this is a sci fi show, give me solid sci fi and in this case that means, tell me why some prisoner from the far future hates african american equality so much that with time travel power and weapons he traded for in one of the worst prisons in the universe (what the fork did he have to trad for that tech.....yuck) he felt he had to change history by harming black people, instead of getting rich, powerful or lots of whatever sex he is interested in.
Perhaps there is going to be a big payoff with this character running across them in some far future but the open endedness of it all was deflating.
I am a bit surprised that when one of the companions used the weapon to fire the main antagonist into the far future, she did not scold him as he may have killed the guy putting him on a long dead planet etc.
all that said it did at least also tease that rosa was chosen, coached, prepared for the fight ahead. she was not the first to take a seat if you will, but they carefully selected someone who could be a more compelling figure and it worked. there were hints of that at her home and for that i thank you. some believe it was all just an i'm tired moment when it was more calculated and i for one prefer to know the whole truth and not jsut the legend. Rosa is a giant and brave under the circumstances....this episode was better for all that but as a doctor who episode it was otherwise underwhelming
Doctor Who: The Ghost Monument (2018)
glad to see I got the tardis back but........a second weak show
Better than the first episode this season. There was some potential here but the two gaming participants were cardboard cut outs. they did the unexpected which is a plus.
it was nice that there were hints of some forgotten child........
glad to see the tardis came back
nothing powerful here.
i am a fan and at this pint I am sticking it out due to the past but too much time is spent on girl power and ethic moments when its all about the doctor and his 1 companion.
two episodes in and the payoff is just not there........this looks like a failed experiment. prove me wrong chinball
Doctor Who: The Woman Who Fell to Earth (2018)
change is good? except when if screams politically correct.
The music is differnt, the writing is different, directing different....and not for hte better.
I love Dr. Who. I believe I could accept a female doctor, but the tooth face souvenir hunting villan, the less than solid writing, the tick box casting and personal pet peeve more than one companion, has me bummed. Episode 1 kind of very kid friendly and fairly boring.
My wife was no more forgiving than I was. It felt like lead and companion stunt casting gone wrong.
Halloween (2018)
halloween is back baby! grab a handful of bitter honey or mary jane candies and kick back and tremble
I saw the original as an early teen in the 70's and it was awesome. Michael does not kill children and is focused but the movie builds him up as an evil human serial killer that you dread, not some demonic unkillable fiend.
I went to this as part of an early screening Tue before the show opened up and I give it two thumbs up.
I loved that they scrapped all the now "fake" sequels and have this as the sequel. I love that he seems to kill with purpose and vengeance in an emotionless way.
SPOILERssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss
Was the ending scene a bit too contrived, ie the trap. maybe but then again the one charachter feared going in that room and they showed it several times or she voiced it. they knew what it was. i am sure the scenarious running through moms head were not 100% that but it was also a last ditch suicide take him out room as well.
The call back scenes such as the fall off the roof and the "flip" to that scene were just wonderful. The twists involving the psychiatrist, the sherrif do not mirror the storylines of the first film (hear me star wars the force awachens) and for that i am very greatful.
First Man (2018)
Great movie about an unusual man
Some folks though the director spent too much time on Ryans face, that Ryan was stiff, but if they don't know Armstrong through documentaries or counterparts, he was a brilliant but odd man who did not seek the limelight who was focused and driven. Ryan does spot on Armstrong in this and should be considered for an oscar.
As for the movie it was focused on the FIRST MAN and what he had to overcome personally as well as fate wise to become the guy in that capsule to land on the moon and it is an emotional ride despite his coolness.
As to the flag controversy - you do see it on the moon next to the lander and patches on the uniforms, you just dont see them planting the flag.
One of the best performances of the year and a stirring view of the risks, achievement (for US and mankind).