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scottfreemail
Reviews
IO (2019)
Curated, calibrated and lacking any authentic voice or reason for existing
The lack of scientific accuracy did not bother me, as I was awaiting a poignant commentary on humanity, or some beautifully executed plot twists that explored the human condition.
The reality is that the movie drifts along, nothing happens, the 2 main actors (who are cliched sketches) have sex as a result of a few sentences the man says to the woman, and when the finale comes, the audience have no emotional investment in either character to elicit any response.
The responsibility for this must be laid at the feet of the scriptwriter (nothing to write about), and the director (execution without commitment or strong direction to the actors).
Beautiful movie, beautiful score let down by plot and superficial acting.
Better Call Saul: Breathe (2018)
Gripping plot development with more to be revealed
This series does not feel like it is made for television - scenes are slowed down, lead actors are left in long camera shots musing on their lives (Jimmy on the sofa in E1), and the plot ticks over as Jimmy inexorably transforms into the Saul character.
In this episode the brutality that has been primed under the surface from the world of Breaking Bad, explodes one scene, and it reminds us that this series is soon going to drift away from sentimentality and move towards a darker place.
The director has done a good job of maintaining continuity from the BB world, but also sketching multiple characters with empathy and detail, to ensure new viewers get immersed and care about how these characters will develop in episodes to come.
Jimmy's character flaws are taken by plot twists into unexpected directions (office manager interview, phone conversation with Mike), and this unpredictability will keep me interested and desperate to find out more.
Westworld: Vanishing Point (2018)
Does Westworld create the darkness within,, or was it always there ?
As the series nears its end, gaps in the Man in Black's storyline are completed, with the episode delves into his private life. Can anyone spend years in a fantasy world untouched by the brutal acts they commit? This has been one of the critical questions that has hung in the air for most of series 2.
As the series has progressed, faced with the brutality of the humans, we find ourselves empathising with the hosts, rooting for their survival. But as the narrative approaches its climax, the question also arises, how far will the hosts go to fight for their own survival?
Westworld: Kiksuya (2018)
Delicate and haunting.. the story of Ghosts
One of my favourite episodes so far. With two of the main stars (man in black, and Maeve) in a broken condition, the Ghost Nation storyline is revealed; intertwining existing narratives, and hinting at events to come.
I was touched by the sensitivity of this episode: the director avoids sentimentalism, the supporting character narratives unfold delicately, as the terrible origin of Ghost Nation is revealed.