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Reviews
Civil War (2024)
Not what I expected
As someone interested in politics I expected this to be about the next American Civil War. Its not, the title is misleading.
The mysterious civil war going on in the background remains largely unknown as to cause or even who is in involved. This movie is about photojournalism and a somewhat of a brutal coming of age of one of the characters. Danes is superb as is most of the cast.
This is a war road movie exploring the profession of war photojournalism and moral questions raised when involved in that. Be warned there are many brutal war scenes that don't hold back. The combat is realistic.
In all this was not what I expected, but in all was a pretty well-worked film.
6.5/10.
Don't Look Up (2021)
Clever
This is a very clever and the times quite funny satire on the state of US politics especially in relation to things like climate change, climate change denial, and other political divides. Whilst I feel the heavyweight cast is somewhat wasted here, is nevertheless a very clever analogy and commentary on the current state of things in the US. It is at times disturbingly accurate, which is a worry.
The divide in that society observed by those of us from elsewhere in the world is even reflected in the scores this movie has been given on this platform. Either 9 out of 10 or 1 out of 10, almost nothing in between! It's immediately clear that the 1 out of 10 scores are from those that the movie is about.
All those who gave this movie 1 out of 10, all I suggest is...#Don'tLookUp! 😂
Dune: Part Two (2024)
Superb!
Absolutely superb. Close to as good as filmmaking gets.
The well documented flaws with Part One have been resolved, such as with the poor audio, together with the killing of the one weak cast member (Momoa). The first 4/5th of this film is near perfect. A moving atmospheric close-to-masterpiece leaves you wanting more even after 3-hours.
The only criticism is, knowing the story, I knew what with 30mins to go there was a lot that that had to occur to wrap up book one. I assumed there must be a third film. But no, they rushed through the ending of the story, a 3rd of the book, in the last 30mins. Felt overtly rushed, almost like the filmmaker had planned on making this a trilogy but the studio said 'no' late in the project. Weakened the overall story, and reflected poor post-production editing.
Regardless, if you are a fan of the book or sci-fi in general, a must-see on the big screen!
Free Solo (2018)
Jaw-Dropping
This very good documentary of what must be the greatest sporting achievement in human history, ever. One of the most amazing human achievements of any type in modern history.
As others have pointed out, Alex is not normal. How could he be to do this.
Being a mental health professional, halfway through I was already forming a view on his personality - and then they did an MRI scan and sure enough the results confirmed my suspicion. That, combined with his largely uncaring and dismissive approach to others, tells any psychologist what you need to know about him.
The 'greats' at anything are different in some way from the norm, almost without exception: Obsessive, narcissistic, psychopathic are all commonly found in people at the pinnacle of their field. Alex is no different. Absolute outlier.
But those traits allowed him to achieve something trully amazing. The final 30mins of this is hard to watch, sickening, gripping, and jaw dropping all at once.
Trully amazing.
Triangle of Sadness (2022)
Love It!
Loved this quirky movie about wholly despicable people.
Difficult to describe this film, basically it's a bunch of rich spoiled pretentious prats, who end up together on a small luxury cruise ship, which unfortunately is captain by the completely incompetent and lazy Woody Harrison (who plays a great role) leading to disaster.
This film is a bizarre combination of funny and disgusting. Main characters are wholly unlikable and there is not one amongst them with any redeeming features. Must be the first movie I've seen where there is not a single character who is a nice person.
I enjoyed this, if you enjoy a film that is NOT mainstream, this is for you.
Jaws 2 (1978)
Ordinary
What were the producers thinking employing a second rate Director to direct the sequel to a masterpiece? This movie started the trend of terrible sequels.
The main characters look like would rather be somewhere else; and the kids who carry the film, arent good enough actors to do so. Also noted the most promiscuous kids got eaten, and that only stopped once they turned to pray...groan. Very dated messaging that.
In all this was a cheap cash in by the producers on the original, which (together with the even worse sequels to come) devalues the original classic.
Dont bother.
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The Wicker Man (1973)
Period Classic
Absolute classic which always leaves an impact every time I watch it.
Unique film, just nothing else like it. Captures the late hippy era beautifully, mixed with a fascinating look at pagan belief systems. Class top-shelf british cast, with Lee at his absolute best.
My most recent viewing I became aware of how great the folk music both in the film, and as a soundtrack.
The film goes along as this intriguing mystery/thriller, with in a background of set in a weird pagan society, and is quite erotic It then evolves into a horror movie with a shocking ending and definition of a movie 'climax'.
Classic.
Knock at the Cabin (2023)
Interesting
Interesting premise, though telegraphed early the four nasties were the 4 horsemen.
Gripping thriller for most of it and worth watching, however, the premise in the end that any loving couple would actually sacrifice their loved one based in the premise that it will 'save humanity' is absurd.
Put simply, no one would do that, and everyone (if they liked their partner that is) would sacrifice humanity rather than 'save the world' and murder their partner. Especially if atheist, which most world is now. Further, the story suggests whatever god is involved is forcing someone to commit a mortal sin, really? Silly.
So in the end the movie failed on that basic piece of psychology - no one would make that decision. Absurd. We would all let humanity die rather than kill our beloved.
House of the Dragon (2022)
Boring Garbage
Wow, as a huge fan of GoT, this is SO disappointing.
Dull characters, boring plot (if there is one), and as others has said the fatal jumping ahead in years, with no warning, and a completely new cast....what were they thinking?? Terrible.
Even the quality of the production seems poor, like some cheap BBC production (no offence BBC). Around Ep 6 found myself checking emails whilst wading through this drudgery.
Really, for a production that should have had virtually unlimited budget considering the legacy it was dealing with, this is just boring garbage.
Dont waste your time.
Wont be watching any more seasons.
A Clockwork Orange (1971)
Classic
Ground-breaking masterpiece. Certainly very violent, but its not gratuitous, it serves a purpose to make a point. McDowell is brilliant! Controversial film in its day, but almost mainstream today. Shows Kubrick's genius.
Halo (2022)
Surprisingly good
Most these streaming sci-fi series are often disappointments (Bobba Fett, The Mandalorian), but this is pretty good!
Agreed with the others that the angry revengeful teenager adds nothing, but any fans of the game will enjoy this.
Uncharted (2022)
Groan-Fest
Started off interesting, a poor man's national treasure or at a stretch, indiana jones, but too many scenes were just ridiculous as to become annoying.
Got worse as the film progressed, just impossible scenarios that left me realising this is a kids film. Young kids.
Devilsdorp (2021)
Cautionary into fundamental beliefs
Excellent true crime doco, covering South African religious serial killings 2012-2016.
Cautionary tale into the dangers of insulated and extreme religious belief system (in this case Christian), and the dark path it can lead down.
The Gilded Age (2022)
Ordinary
If hoping for Age of Innocent, this is more Days of our Lives.
Looks cheap, shallow characters I dont care about, either ordinary cast or script (or both).
Struggling to get through the first episode.
The French Dispatch of the Liberty, Kansas Evening Sun (2021)
Lost Me
Im a Wes fan. Usual brilliant product and design by Wes, superb cast, but....boring.
Overly convoluted to the point it lost me, and became one of those film that after an hour I find myself checking my emails.
Nope.
Old (2021)
Yep, Ordinary
Im a big fan of M Night, but Im never seen a great film maker just seem to get worse with each film. Quite bizarre, most improve with experience, not him. What happened to the class of The Village, and Six Sense?
This is nearly at the the level of B horror film, just amateurish at times. Some of the cast are very poorly cast, to the point of 'what planet is he on?'.
This movie is a great idea, but poorly executed. Worth seeing for the former, expect to tolerate the later.
Thirteen Days (2000)
Superb
Seriously great historical film dealing with a pivot moment in history. Costner is fine, rest of the cast superb.
Edge of your seat, everyone should watch this, with the kids.
Nightmare Alley (2021)
Pretty Classy
This noir film oozes class, like most films from this director - class cast, beautiful cinematography, great script, and great performances from all the leads.
I haven't seen the original so can't compare, but I really enjoyed immersing myself in the atmosphere this film creates. Solid 7 out of 10.
Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021)
Surprisingly good!
Being old enough to live through the 80's ghostbusters, and the subsequent terrible sequels, I wasn't expecting much from this. Recently saw the terrible Matrix sequel.
This is really good! Funny, good cast, especially the kids, clever script, and just enough nod to the original yet remaining original.
Enjoyed!
The Matrix Resurrections (2021)
Interesting, but ultimately, ordinary
Started off initially interesting, but then descended into an overly convoluted mess. Tries to be too clever, just ends up being too complex. Frequent nods to the past films very unnecessary and lazy.
In the end, just an annoying mess.
Dune (2021)
Excellent
As a Dune fan I hoped this would be good, after many recent sci fi disappointments (star wars, Foundation etc).
This is superb!
Great portrayal of the book, fabulous photography, as others have mentioned one annoyance was some of the dialogue is drowned out by music, which was bizarre.
Looking forward to part two, and all the other books! 10 movies to come here!
Where Eagles Dare (1968)
Great Sunday Arvo Film
An old favourite, this classic (if wholly unbelievable story line) if ideal for a wet Sunday arvo on the lounge. Fabulous cast, all class, and great action scenes.
Back in the war-movie days when there was no blood when people died, and German soldiers were comically inept. Some scenes ridiculous, but its a great adventure.
Team America: World Police (2004)
Seriously Funny!
Watched again, thought it might be dated. But still sums up the post-9/11 cowboy attitude of the US at the time.
Timeless comedy classic.
The Morning Show (2019)
Surprisingly Good
Not something I thought Id like, but its just quality from the start. The last episode leads to a stunning climax!
The Dish (2000)
Funny!
While this deals with real events (mostly), it's a seriously funny film, and leaves you very satisfied. Very much Australian humour, great characters and cast. Funny and heart warming script. I love this film!