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stevejco
Reviews
Nope (2022)
Perfect viewing for insomniacs.
This movie promises so much: sustained suspense, thrilling, even horror. Yet after 45minutes (5 of which are taken up by very unusual and drawn-out production house credits!!) nothing happens. Seriously. There is no discernible storyline or complication. There is no context. All the side-plots appear irrelevant. All it offers is the lingerig promise that something interesting might happen. The two leading actors vary between inaudible deadpan speech and downright weird and incongruous antics.
Much of the cinematography is done in darkness, making it extremely hard at times to understand exactly what is taking place. No need to worry though: in truth nothing is happening! The only horror element of this movie is that people actually paid good money to see it. It gets 2 stars for trying, but frankly, don't waste your time.
The Wonder (2022)
The Wonder.....why people like this movie.
This movie is, to put it mildly, very boring and pointless. It's advertised plot line and trailer seemed interesting enough to get me to watch, but the highly self-indulgent and entirely irrelevant opening scene should've been sufficient warning for me. The remainder of the movie meanders pointlessly around a very loosely proposed plot with weird un-rounded characters and even weirder musical scoring. The cinematography is generally good and makes excellent use of the beautiful Irish countryside scenery - but that's not enough in the absence of a good story. This movie never gets out of first gear, and contrary to its publicity, is neither psychological nor a thriller (more like "pretentious art-house."). In short, boring-as-all-get-out garbage. Don't waste your time.
Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank (2022)
Clever at Many Levels
A highly entertaining show with a razor-sharp script. Kids will love the zany humour and the meaningful storyline. Adults will love the way this show works as a modern, animated retelling of the classic slapstick "Blazing Saddles." (It even has Mel Brooks making several appearances!) This movie has a clear message of anti-discrimination, and anti-prejudice (something which didn't quite come out in the original Blazing Saddles). A stellar cast makes this retelling of a comedy classic even more fun. Whilst Ricky Gervais's voice acting is probably a bit weak in parts, the rest of the cast work beautifully with this clever script. Whilst it probably won't go down as a "classic", it's a very clever & funny movie which the whole family will enjoy. L!
Dune (2021)
A Grossly Overrated Snooze-fest
This movie received 6 OSCARS among its many accolades. If there was an award for the most soporific movie of 2021, it would receive that too. This movie has an absurdly complex storyline with multiple connections and political dimensions, none of which are adequately outlined at the commencement. The viewer is constantly left wondering who is fighting whom, and why. It's like watching 10 episodes of Game of Thrones crammed into one 2 hour episode. I'd give a plot summary, but that is physically impossible. Even with my best efforts at concentration, I was unable to follow the multiple sub-plots and interrelated groups. Special effects and acting are great - but that alone doesn't save this absolute stinking howler of a movie. The only saving grace was that I watched it on Netflix and didn't part with my hard earned cash to see it in a theatre. A rating of 3 stars is generous, and is an act of deference to the ridiculous amount of time and money wasted in producing the 2 and a half hour snooze-fest.
Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan (2019)
Attention to Key Details is Appalling!
This is an entertaining movie about a fascinating, iconic battle. It tells the general story quite well at the highest level, and it gets a lot of stuff right (eg, weapons). Cinematography and CGI are also good. However, if you are a veteran or current serving Army member, you will likely be offended by the nature of the many historical inaccuracies and extremely poor attention to key details that prevail for the sake of "artistic licence". There is a lot of stuff depicted which *JUST NEVER HAPPENED* For example, OC Delta company *never* choked or threatened to kill a private soldier. Also, Australian soldiers NEVER smoked whilst on a tactical patrol. The RAAF doesn't have any rank of "lieutenants". They are called "flight lieutenants". Finally the CO of 6RAR was a Lieutenant Colonel - NOT a Colonel. Even the most rudimentary research would have picked up on these two, very basic issues. These are just some of the many glaring failures which show an appalling lack of attention to key details. You are far better off watching Martin Walsh's superb documentary on YouTube. If you are not a military person or a scholar of military history, then you will probably find Danger Close to be an entertaining watch which gives a generally good account of the overall battle. Just remember - as an historical reference point, this is NOT a good movie.
The Batman (2022)
Yet Another Batman Movie!
Look, I'm a big fan of the Batman franchise - always have been! But when I look back on some of the earlier versions, I honestly can't say that this one compares favourably. It's good without being "great". It sticks with the same themes: a moribund anti-hero, a deeply psychotic criminal, a gothic & dark & corrupt city overrun by a broad spectrum of criminals ranging from petty thieves to open gang land warfare. But the storyline in this iteration seems needlessly complex at times. At nearly 3 hours, it also runs for about 45 minutes longer than it needed to (clue: see it in a comfortable or premium cinema with a large bucket of popcorn!) overall: worth the time to watch, and good fun.
Old (2021)
Thought Provoking, Engaging. Good, without being great
The basic concepts of this movie are terrific: ageing happens to all of us, and death is inevitable. But what if it was brought to us in rapid time? What would you do? And how does it feel to be trapped in paradise with no chance of escape (a bit like hotel quarantine!!) Sadly, some brilliant ideas are depleted by a script which is a bit average, and some rather sub-standard acting. Overall, this is definitely worth the ticket price. This is a
movie which will keep you watching right to the very last minute. Oh and by the way, if your cinema has Dolby Atmos audio, go for it - the audio track is unnervingly brilliant!
The Way Back (2020)
Saved by Ben Affleck
With a predictable plot, average script and slow tempo, this was.l not a great movie. However Ben Affleck is sublime, and holds it together with his passion and gravitas. It kept me interested for 2 hours - but only just.
Unhinged (2020)
Psycho Thriller Gone Wrong
Ok, so I'm a fan of Russell Crowe. He has done some truly magnificent work over his distinguished career. However this movie is definitely NOT one of them. It's a psycho thriller with a plot that keeps you interested, but sadly that same plot is riddled with holes and incongruous events. The lead characters aren't for the most part "believable", and there are multiple flaws in production. It is also an extremely violent film in parts - yet needlessly so. Having said all of that, it does make a very bold statement about the deterioration of American society into a race of "proud, angry and intolerant" people. Glad I saw it (it was the only original feature film on at our cinema!), but won't be seeing it a second time.
Joker (2019)
A masterpiece!
This movie is quite simply perfect. An emotional roller coaster which at times has you cheering for the villain, out of sympathy for his plight. Phoenix is sublime, but one must wonder what type of personality is required to play this particular role to such perfection. Jack Nicholson, Heath Ledger, Joaquin Phoenix all interpreted the role with immense effect. What did the Joker do to them, psychologically? What is the impact of immersing oneself so deeply in a role like this?
Once Upon a Time in... Hollywood (2019)
The Weakest Link
Of all Tarantino's films, this one must be the weakest. He usually allows the storyline to open out gradually before his audience, but this movie has a very slow, thin storyline that never really gets going. It also features numerous incongruous threads that leave the audience scratching their collective heads, asking "so what did *that* contribute to the overall plot?" The acting from DiCaprio and Pitt is strong: VERY strong. However this thin, slow story just doesn't do them justice. As a Tarantino fan and general 60's buff, I was left disappointed.
1917 (2019)
A masterpiece.
Over the decades, movie producers have often resorted to war movies as a "go-to" plot line to tell a good story. Very few, however, successfully manage to convey the true horror and abject carnage of war. Not only does "1917" achieve this, it keeps viewers in the edge of their seats with its magnificent storyline. This would. Or otherwise be possible without the masterful use of the "one camera one take" production technique which give viewers the feeling of "being there". Continuity is superbly seamless, as is the highly engaging acting. This movie conveys one simple, immutable message: no matter what the era, no matter what the location, war is stupid. I commend this movie to viewers as possibly the greatest war movie of the modern era.
The Angry Birds Movie 2 (2019)
Simple family fun
A nice and simple family movie which is easy for kids of all ages to enjoy. A fun, easy to follow plot which isn't overly reliant on the previous movie.
Yesterday (2019)
What if.....
What if you could have it all, but simultaneously lose it all? What would you chose? That's the question posed to Jack, when he has the chance to live his lifelong dream of becoming a megastar musician, by "re-releasing" songs from the Fab 4 which, by freak circumstances never existed! Only problem is, it's either that or lose the girl who's loved him for almost 20 years. A fascinating storyline based on a "what if" scenario which leaves you thinking. Excellent acting with a typically "no nonsense", light-hearted British script. This movie also plays wonderful deference to the music of The Beatles, re-interpreted and replayed so as to make us realise why they were indisputably the most influential band in pop music history. A movie for music lovers and thinkers with a sense of humour.
Les frères Sisters (2018)
A most enjoyable movie
Magnificent scenery, an entertaining storyline which keeps you engaged right to the end. A masterful modern western!
Glass (2019)
Strictly for Comic Book Enthusiasts
There is a discernible plot, and the acting is at times exceptional. However both of these are spoiled by the very slow developing storyline and somewhat cryptic script. This movie starts slow, and doesn't accelerate its tempo at any point.