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Reviews
Doctor Strange (2016)
Great special effects but otherwise a steaming pile
I didn't care about any of the characters, the unbelievable story the multitude of plot holes or anything here. BC's American accent sounded ridiculous too.
But hey if the dorks like this type of tosh then who am I to complain?
Special effects were too notch and the sound effects tested my subwoofer to the max. I gave it a solid 7 for the show not for the content. Caveat emptor.
Clarkson's Farm (2021)
He's not the oaf you think he is
What a breath of fresh air this program was. Insightful, beautiful and very funny too. People know Clarkson from his Top Gear persona, but here you get to see the real man not the oaf. He's resourceful, keen to learn and most of all utterly useless as a farmer. The characters are what makes this show though, from the potty-mouthed and competent farm hand to the sobering farm manager and the seemingly unintelligible wall guy. His lady friend also makes a strong contribution.
The message of the show is that working the land is hard and this has rightly resonated-well across the farming community. Can't wait for series 2.
In the Heights (2021)
Just terrible
Watched this at the open air cinema in Zurich in August 2021. In its defence the film has some decent songs and the dancing is top notch too. However the plot is seriously weak and when one of the supporting characters passed away we did our best not to cheer. Add to this a couple of woke/leftist themes and we were quickly done. We would have had to disturb too many people to have left the cinema before the end but otherwise would have left half way. Don't waste your time.
Ex Machina (2014)
Lacking substance
The bad guy's lair had no staff. No security, no cleaners and no cooks either, which is great news because nobody eats there either. The film was far too clever and far too stylised for its own good. And as a result was full of holes that make it unbelievable rather than engaging. Finally I'm reminded that I threw The Beach out of a moving car India 20 years ago because it was a frustrating piece of garbage of a book. Wish the author had done the same with his script.
Formula 1: Drive to Survive (2019)
Superb fly on the wall documentary. Disappointing woke end to S3
Before watching this during lockdown '20 , my teenage sons and I were neutral towards F1. I'd frequently watch the highlights and occasionally a whole race. My lads didn't even do that. Now 2/3 of us watch every race and we also have a playseat and PS4 pro set up just for setting F1 laptimes in competition with each other.
A series that changes actual behaviours is a rare thing indeed. It works by applying high production values whilst capturing the emotions of drivers, owners and support staff too. The race captures are excellent and then balance of on-track and off-track footage is perfect in terms of setting the scene and drawing the viewer in to the action.
In this context the 'woke segment' and the end of S3 is forgiven also because by putting it at the end, these viewers could simply turn it off and avoid it. Good job The 'Flix!
Borat Subsequent Moviefilm: Delivery of Prodigious Bribe to American Regime for Make Benefit Once Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan (2020)
Vulgar, disappointing and not funny
I'be been a fan of SBC since he was Ali G on UK TV. Back then his comedy was a breath of fresh air. The first Borat film was hilarious as was Grimsby. But this effort fell flat and the dull story couldn't be revived by the extreme vulgarity in the story. I don't think I laughed more than a couple of times. Final verdict: terrible.
Rampage (2018)
Entertaining nonsense
I watched this with my 12 year old boy and we both enjoyed it. Yes the plot is ridiculous and yes the acting is rather wooden too. But seriously, what's not to love about a monster giant killer crocodile, gorilla and a flying wolf. Was this made by the same people who made the charmingly absurd 'Sharknado'? It could have been!
Jumanji: The Next Level (2019)
Save yourself 2 hours and only watch the trailer
Loved the first one from 2017. This was a wannabe film but without the magic of the first one. All the best bits were in the trailer according to my 12 year old who was equally disappointed. You have been warned!
Moneyball (2011)
"I hate losing more than I love winning"
I played 'rounders' for fun at primary school and that's the closest I've ever been to sister game Baseball. This is a great story about believing in and sticking with the chosen direction even when the chips are down. It's also a story about being a great dad which is well-played and has a decent soundtrack too. Thoroughly enjoyable even for non rounders fans.
Bon Bini Holland (2015)
Shockingly bad
Puerile humour is fine but then it has to be funny. This really isn't. I managed almost 40 minutes in the hope it would improve but sadly it remained terrible. Avoid.
The Christmas Cottage (2017)
I was hoping it would burn down
Writing this in December 2018. This is the worst film I've seen this decade with the clear exception of Hail Cesar. Avoid avoid avoid.