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rondadams
Reviews
Sound of Freedom (2023)
Good concept, poorly executed
This is a very important subject that made for a really good concept that could have been a great movie, but it was poorly executed and the results are a boring, choppy movie. I went to see it reluctantly, and because of the subject matter, I expected it to be dark and hard to watch, which it was, but not because of the subject. The story was sloppy and uneven story and the editing made it hard to follow at times. It lost me in the first part of the story and I dozed off for a few minutes. I had high hopes for the movie due to all the promotions and hearing others talk about it but it overall was a real disappointment and not a movie I would probably watch again.
Law & Order: Organized Crime: Catch Me If You Can (2022)
Good storyline and characters
Okay, I am hooked.
I didn't expect I would like this, but the story has an interesting plot that I want to see how it ends.
I've been a regular of FBI Most Wanted and recently turned off on the direction it has taken with a lot of woke narratives being pushed almost insuring the viewer.
This show has a similar style and format but without the work narrative and seems like it's building the characters and the team. Hopefully the writers will avoid trying to lecture the audience and push a narrative.
Respect your viewer's desire to disconnect, and be entertained with something for a few minutes that doesn't insult them and attempt to change the world.
This storyline with the New York mogul and his misguided son has several intriguing aspects that I'm curious to see where they go.
The Lincoln Lawyer (2022)
Good story, bad casting
Really enjoying the series but some of the male minor characters like the detective and Cisco have the worst voices for acting. They don't carry well and are difficult to understand.
Love the casting for Haller though.
My Grown-Up Christmas List (2022)
Good story, bad execution
I watch these with my wife a lot and it's very hard with one like this not to be constantly criticizing the sloppy military aspects. Come on Hallmark, try a little harder please so I can enjoy it more and not have to bite my tongue for two hours and ruin it for my wife.
Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
I feel the need for speed!
This was a flat out adrenaline rush packed with nostalgia and a lot of new stuff as well. Good, story, good music, fast planes, it had everything the original had and tied up some loose ends. I was worried about Val Kilmers role and how they would make that work, but they nailed it perfectly and very respectfully.
The Negotiator (1998)
Holds up for repeated views
Even though I've seen this movie multiple times and know how it ends the story, action, drama, and suspense all work so well that it holds up and continues to captivate and entertain every time.
Reacher (2022)
Not filmed in Georgia, but still good
Wonder why they chose to film in Canada rather than Georgia. Being from Georgia I could tell right away they weren't in any part I've ever seen. Regardless, I'm 3 episodes in and really enjoying it.
Red Notice (2021)
Spent all their money on cast
This is bad. I couldn't tell if they were trying to be serious or funny, but they accomplished neither. Clearly they spent all their budget on the cast for a poorly written script and video game-looking fake visuals.
Not sure how or why I made it to the very end.
The worst part is that they set it up for a sequel, but I'm not sure why. I've seen enough here.
A Royal Queens Christmas (2021)
A royal queens letdown
It has a good, even if familiar premise, but the cast and their accents pretending to be from Queens and the fake country of Exeter were just all of the place. The story and acting was just cringey at times. Of all the movies with this theme, this just wasn't one I can see us watching again.
Grey's Anatomy: Song Beneath the Song (2011)
Different in a fun way!
You can see the divide between those who like musicals and those who don't. It was a fun way to deal with a very emotionally heavy issue for one of their own. I appreciated them doing it this way compared to some of the more recent dark episodes where they lost people.
Cruella (2021)
Unexpected surprise!
I really didn't expect to like this, but it was the most fun I've had in a long time watching a movie! The last time I felt this way was with Greatest Showman.
The story was original, fun, and full of surprises that kept me entertained the whole way thru, plus there were some unexpected twists.
Overall, I think this is one of Disney's best live action backstories, and it was chock full of little nods to the original animation that made it lots of fun.
The Equalizer: The Equalizer (2021)
Maybe it will get better?
I have to be honest, I didn't finish the first episode. From what I did finish, I couldn't help but feel like they were trying too hard to fit a size 10 foot into a size 6 shoe. That's not a fat joke aimed at Queen Latifa, it was just not a good fit of the actors to the roles, and felt very forced.
Soul (2020)
Not one of their best
It was cute, and I liked all of the characters, but it just didn't click with me. Parts of it were slow and confusing, and I thought it dragged on too long. Not sure if kids will like this either.
The Mandalorian: Chapter 16: The Rescue (2020)
Amazing!
After Rise of Skywalker and that whole trilogy, I was ready to walk away from my 40+ year appreciation for and enjoyment of this franchise. But, then came Jon & Dave and the Mandalorian!
I've enjoyed every minute of every episode and this finale was even better!
I loved everything about this, start to finish. The pacing, story, music, characters, all just amazing and made me a fan of Star Wars once again.
Legend of Frosty the Snowman (2005)
BORING, BORING, BORING!
Don't waste your time, unless you're wanting something to fall asleep with.
Madam Secretary: E Pluribus Unum (2018)
A bit preachy
I've loved this show for seasons 1-4, but this first episode of season 5 really struck a nerve, crossing the line of a fictional show into more of a political narrative. I hope this doesn't set the precedent for the remainder of the shows. That's not what I come to watch. I come to watch a smart, well-told story about a woman and her faintly negotiating the challenges of holding the second highest office in the US.
The Mandalorian: Chapter 2: The Child (2019)
Weapons are part of my religion
Even though it's only the second episode, this show has exceeded every expectation I had! I don't care that this one just under 30 minutes, it did the job, told a great story, and created a bond with no fluff. I love the "western" feel and the "show, don't tell" story telling. Amazing job and I can't wait for more!
FBI (2018)
Pretty good
This is one of our favorite new shows. We like crime dramas, and this one seems to take it up a notch. I don't find Jeremy Sisto's yelling to be annoying, just seems like he's playing "big dog" kind of character like Tommy Lee Jones did in The Fugitive. The two main characters make a good team, and seem to be growing in their roles and in the story line as partners building a repoir with each other. My least favorite of the show is Sela Ward's character, I'm just not a fan of hers as she's always cast in a "superior, all knowing and unemotional" type of character. Luckily, her role is small.
FBI: Pilot (2018)
Started off with a bang!
Intense drama and criminal investigation, kinda has the same feel as The Fugitive movie.
FBI: Doomsday (2018)
A little less intense
Slightly less intense than some of the others, but still a good show. I like how Maggie and OA are starting to bond and reveal themselves a little more.
The Green Hornet (2011)
Horrible waste of money, especially in 3D
I gave this movie a rating of 1. If I could go lower, I would. We saw it in 3D because we thought that since it was an action movie it would enhance the experience. We were wrong! The acting, the dialog, the language, the story, were all absolute crap! I expected it to be silly, even somewhat slap stick and stupid, but it was worse than that. I feel stupid for not walking out and asking for a refund on this movie. I've seen some pretty bad movies, but this is one of the first in quite a while that I really wished I had walked out on. I kept expecting, hoping that maybe it would get better, but it never did. Save your money, wait for the dollar rental, which in my opinion is still more than it's worth to see this movie. I'm a male in my 40s, and like a good action flick with car chases and comedy, but believe it or not, I actually enjoyed the Justin Bieber documentary/movie more than I did this, and I'm not even a Justin Bieber fan. That's how bad I thought this was.
Justin Bieber: Never Say Never (2011)
I didn't hate it
This isn't the worst movie I've ever paid to see in a theater, but it was far from the best. I can't say I was expecting much, and what I got was about what I expected. I saved a few bucks by choosing not to see it in 3D, and I'm grateful I did. There is nothing in this movie that should have warranted it being in 3D. NOTHING! I am a 40-something man, and I saw it with my daughter who is a mild fan. She's not like ANY of the little girls portrayed in the movie. She, herself, thought the movie was just okay. To call it a movie, I think, is a stretch. It was 2 hour documentary about him and his journey into the heights of the music business. It' not necessarily boring, but not really exciting stuff either. The entertaining parts are the sad little girls screaming and crying about him. After seeing the film, I am left with more respect for him and the talent he has. He has great potential. But, with that, comes a huge price that many before him with the same or even less abilities have fallen, and fallen hard. I couldn't help but wonder how long he will last. At times in the film there were different music biz people around saying how amazing he was and singing his praises, and you could just see the dollar signs in their eyes. It's a tough business, and it eats people up. He is potentially, as good as Michael Jackson was, but we all know how that story ended. I hope Justin's ends on a better note.