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Barbie (2023)
Final third almost ruins it
On the nose with so much - wasn't too heavy handed in its representation of fenmisim, the patriarchy or anything along those lines.
However the final third, starting with the war of Ken sent this film into a bit of an anti-climatic ending. Enjoyed it massively up to that point and found it educational without being condisending. As a male especially, to understand the points this film makes it absolutely makes a difference and is eye opening.
The cop out and 'realisation' Barbie makes at the very end is frankly a cop out, going against the trend of the entire film. Was frankly disappointed and felt it just ran out of ideas.
Still Gerwig should be commended for her attempt to turn a Mattel product into a film filled with humour, social conscience, style and at the very least humour.
Just a shame it was so badly let down towards the end.
Shrinking (2023)
Written by privileged people who have never experienced life
Another drawn in by the appeal of Harrison Ford and at this stage gamely pressing on to get to the end with very slim prospects of returning for any future seasons.
Cannot for the life of me figure out who this show is aimed at. Seems to have smatterings for everyone yet in doing so appeals to no-one.
Contains the type of lunacy and unprofessionalism that could put therapy back years. The 'look therapists are people too (albeit based on people who only exist in the minds of people who have never met a therapist of seemingly another human) sthick became tiresome very quickly.
Most recent 'enjoyable' moment is when it's revealed a doctor is sleeping with their patient who has a serious neurological condition. Nice.
The privilege of the characters in this show is just to a startling degree and no character comes across as remotely likeable. Yet get the feeling the attempt was to try and write it in such a way that it dealt with serious issues and deep characters in real life situations. But this is the kind of life only a very small percentage of real people actually live.
Yes it's supposed to be comedy with a sprinkling of reality, but instead is just a life of the 'lows' being minor inconveniences with the emotional range of ChatGPT.
Future Man (2017)
Possibly the most frustrating show I've ever watched
Really enjoyable first season, loads of fantastic references to movie and TV history, real Back to the Future vibe which works really well.
Fantastic casting with the likes of Ed Bedgley Jr, Haley Joel Osman, Britt Lower and Keith David alongside the main leads, means you become invested in the characters, even if they're tinged with silliness and juvenile (but not unfunny) humour.
Then, as that sense of cleverness with a side of ridiculousness sets you up for season two, it comes off the rails a bit. Whilst still having some great moments, it struggles to regain momentum and loses a lot of charm. It just about finds its way back halfway through and just as you're about to quit you see it through.
Then season three. An intriguing start is quickly jettisoned into something so tedious it bordered on the unwatchable. So disappointed as got so invested felt I had to see it through. Even with a TTD won't ever get that time back.
Watch series one and stop. In fact, after series one just use your own imagination on how you'd want it to go on. As aside from Wolf's 80/90s escapades, fail to see how anyone could have gone so wrong.
Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003)
T3...?! Old' Jimmy Cameron must be laughing his ass off...
"I'll be Back"...
When those words were originally uttered in the classic original, many people felt a chill leap up their spine. Now ask yourselves...WHY?
Was it because of the hilarious 'in-jokes'?
Was it the amazingly over-elaborate 'set-pieces'?
Was it the witty dialogue and Arnie's constant two-liners?
Was it the awful mis-casting/bad acting?
Was it the horribly inappropriate music? ...What's that, "NO" I hear you scream?
Then why, OH WHY, does Terminator 3 reach down into the big stinking barrel of sequel cliché's in order to try and make this film a success?
The plot is as this: Add Terminator 2 minus all the bits that build excitement and tension and you pretty much have it...except 'SPOILER ALERT' the fact they change the concept that you control your own fate, and merely replace it with the exact opposite.
I honestly can't go through all the things that are so so wrong with this film, so instead I'll list the things that ARE good... .........
So there you have it. That was actually a lie for shock value, in all honesty, there are a couple of nice shots, and despite the third-world countries that could have had their economy sorted by the cost of the stunts, one or two actually come off not looking that bad, despite the constant trails of CGI
Now I like Breakdown, and actually thought this film might' be half decent; I wasn't expecting the darkness of the first, I wasn't expecting the bravado mixed with storyline of the second...I just expected...well...something!
No decent musical score, Stahl must make Furlong wish he were still higher than a kite, and poor old Arnie. My god he tries, you can see it in his face...but with probably the worst assortment of lines ever constructed for a man who also starred in 'Last Action Hero,' he must've read the script and thought 'Money Money Money.'
No Linda Hamiliton, no Michael Biehn, no James Cameron, no Edward Furlong...even Guns N Roses were missed from this...probably worst film of the year. (And no, I haven't seen Gigi yet.)
Please avoid, maybe then everyone will completely discount this, and a PROPER third instalment of the Terminator will be made. I for one will have my fingers well and truly crossed.
[By the way, I have never once come on IMDB to abuse a terrible film, nor have I jumped on any bandwagons or consulted other people's opinions. I just decided to write this review as a warning for those out there that still enjoy films on a higher level than tripe such as xXx' and Jeepers Creepers 2.']
On a scale of 1-10 = 5. Must Try Harder
or just not at all.
The Wonderful World of Disney: The Love Bug (1997)
Bruce + Love Bug = Surreal but intriguing....
Basically this is a full-on TV film, but somehow manages to star one of the finest B-Actors ever to enter the movie industry. The whole fact it has the 'classic' love bug is merely lost as you are completely overwhelmed by the pure skill of Bruce taking over the screen. "Bruce" I hear you cry, but who is he? Well for all those of you who have lived on the moon for the last few years, Bruce Campbell is a cult legend, not only has he dabbled his hand in the horror-esque genre (Maniac Cop) and the completely superb classic trilogy of 'The Evil Dead' but he also starred in one of the finest movies to come out of Hollywood in a while, 'The Hudsucker Proxy.' Also starring John Hannah, who you might recognise from such films as 'Sliding Doors' and 'The Mummy' plays the evil ex-pro formula one driver(Simon Moore III) who just 'hates that little car!' Bruce walks through the film like a breeze until original star of the Disney 'Love Bug' movies Dean Jones or as many a film fan will know him as, 'JIM DOUGLAS!' Only here does Bruce have some real on-screen competition, but even then, you still feel Bruce is the master. As for the actual film, I'd say the novelty value outclasses the actual quality of the film, the acting is poor (aside from the two named above) the script is terrible and the end is really weird for no apparent reason. I wouldn't give the film an actual mark due to the fact as a TV movie, there is no way it can ever score above about a five so I'll leave it at that. One last thing, if you are a beetle car lover (and I know some of you are) the 'evil car' is top notch and an entertainment in itself.
In the Mouth of Madness (1994)
Truly a decent, unpredictable horror by the master.
I saw the trailer to this film at least three or four years before I actually got to see the film and now I'm wondering "why did I wait so long?!" John Carpenter does it again with a story so out of this world you might have to rewind bits just to make sure they really happened.
Sam Neill has a career best performance where he his one-liners make you think why doesn't he do it more often? Charlton Heston almost snatches the entire show with just his presence on the screen, but is almost forgotten thanks to the total bizzareness of this film. John Carpenter has truly made some classics, this'll never stand on the same level as 'The Thing' or 'Halloween' but don't deny the fact he made what should of been a quick cash in into a should be cult classic.
If you ever encounter this film for sale ignore the box's tag lines ("The Slimy Things Are Excellent") and get ready for one crazy ride!
Dr. Giggles (1992)
Dr Giggles, What a typically bad horror.
I was lying, this film is pretty awful even though a scene in a doctors waiting room is quite freaky. What it with your girl/boy friend and you will end up cuddling all night otherwise leave well alone!
(This is where I would normally put some manic laughing, but with 'Dr Giggles' I won`t bother)
The Untouchables (1987)
Simply UNTOUCHABLE.
Great cast (Connery,Costner,Garcia and De Niro.) Great script (David Mamet) and wonderfully directed by Brian De Palma.
Connery throughly deserved his Oscar as hard hitting, hard talking 'Malone' who simply makes a good film brilliant.
One of, if not the most remembered scenes of a film, in which Connery and Garcia stand-off not only against tommy gun handling goons, but also a small child, needs to be seen to be believed.
9* out of 10 Best gangster film of the 80`s.
Teen Wolf (1985)
Woooooooooooooo!
Michael J. Fox stars in this teenage comedy about the everyday life of a kid who happens to also be a werewolf. A 1985 film where the script writers must not of been too strained for the final outcome, but I`ll leave that for you to find out.
7* out of 10, Howling good fun.
Back to the Future (1985)
Great Scott Well Great Movie!!
A true classic in the way The Karate Kid and Weird Science were classics (Its just Back To the future is Better) Great casting with Christopher Lloyd and Michael J. Fox and great backup by Lea Thompson. A Film which you can watch more than once (unlike most films today) and still be intrested. Hill Valley Will never be the same!!
9* out of 10, Sheer time traveling fun for everyone!