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Iron Fist (2017)
Like "Dallas", but with more noodles
Mostly melodramatic 1:1 conversations and eating.
Occasional action sequences.
Some very bad acting.
The postscript to the final episode was more interesting than the entire series.
Annihilation (2018)
Pretentious drivel -- makes Prometheus look rational
The ideas, and even scenes, in this movie can be found in a whole list of SF novels and movies from Invasion of the Body Snatchers to Leviathan Wakes (The Expanse series), John Carpenter's The Thing, Alien, Avatar, The Astronaut's Wife, Blair Witch, Tarkovsky's Stalker & Solaris, and JG Ballard's The Crystal World. (In one scene I thought I was watching Ghostbusters.) It throws in some genetics jargon and wraps everything in pseudo-philosophical nonsense while adding nothing new.
The story makes no sense. Perhaps the most significant event in human history and the investigation team seems to have the budget and staffing of a small university chemistry department. Over the course of several years many research teams have entered the Shimmer, never to return (mostly). Surely, by now they'd have nuked it? But no, they do exactly the same thing again with a new team.
They go in with no back-up plan; in fact no plan at all. No protocols. Not even a bio-hazard suit? And apparently no paper and pencil for making notes, which would have been useful when they find themselves lost and with no memory of the previous 4 days. Really? They are supposed to be scientists.
The protagonists do all the stupid things people in horror movies always do: Just been attacked by a giant mutant alligator? Sure, let's take to the water in small boats. Attacked by a giant mutant bear? Sure, wander off in the jungle alone.
As with Garland's previous offering, Ex Machina, it's all style and no substance; nothing that hasn't been done before, better.
Blade Runner 2049 (2017)
Surprisingly dull
Disappointing. Considering its length, not much happened. Some arty visuals. Self-indulgent, clichéd.
La La Land (2016)
Makes "Mary Poppins" look like an epic
I cannot understand all the good reviews this has had. It is boring and depressing; a dull story with characters it's hard to care about. This is Hollywood being self-indulgent.
Neither lead can sing or dance well. This, I would have thought, would be a prerequisite for a musical.
The first two song & dance sequences were uninspiring, though the later ones were a slight improvement; the finale was quite good in terms of editing.
Some of the jazz piano, etc., was good but otherwise there's only one original catchy tune in the whole movie - and you'll be sick of hearing it by the end.
The Shadow Line (2011)
Unconvincing
I did not like this right from the beginning of episode 1, but as it was getting good reviews I gave it a second chance. I have now watched three episodes; it has not improved and I will not be watching any more.
Few of the characters have any redeeming features and I find myself not caring what happens to them.
But my main complaint is the dialogue. It has to be the most clichéd and unrealistic dialogue I have heard in a long time. People just do not talk like that in real life. It bears as much resemblance to normal speech as ballet does to walking to the bus stop.