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bland-kevin67
Reviews
Creeped Out: Tilly Bone (2019)
Nicely Written
This episode is pretty creepy and it leaves you with more questions than answers. It seems that the curator of the confusion is also Cass' namesake. Kind of a cruel revenge tale that warns you about the things you say about others.
The series scares you just enough to be interesting and I love the fake American accents. The young actors will be seen in bigger things in the future.
Tiffany Haddish Presents: They Ready (2019)
Love Comedy Based upon real life
The comedians were all unique in their styles but the two who impacted me were the transexual, Flame Monroe and the Spanish lady, Aida Rodriguez. Their jokes were based upon the life they were living. It touched me when they were brutally honest with us. Flame should get her own special or be in a movie with Tyler Perry. Aida could be a main line costar in a movie as well. The other 4 were ok but these two stood out by leaps and bounds.
The Perfection (2018)
Twists frets and struts
If you try to dissect this movie and make sense or logic of it, you may as well turn it off. The premise is deceptive and nonsensical but fun to see it through. Then the ending is over the top to the point where these writers are so deep into the Me Too movement they seem to feel anything is justified under that moniker with great failure in my opinion.
The flashbacks don't justify the means nor the end. I truly wonder why they don't have a forum for new fresh ideas or stories from normal folks and develop movies that way instead of allowing all this money to be thrown away in stuff like this. There is no message or moral to this tale. I did not feel any proper closure when this ended. Did the protagonists win or lose? Feels like an unnecessary stab in the back.
Brightburn (2019)
Great Trailer Not Enough Substance
After seeing this trailer on YouTube for so many months I was looking forward towards a high quality super villain movie that would turn the genre upside down. Instead it was more of a Nightmare on Elm street junior edition. The director chose to make it a jump out and shock you movie with too much gore and not enough Substance to make you either love or hate any of the characters.
SPOILER ALERT!!
A young superboy with no reason to hate anyone suddenly becomes a killer because he doesn't want anyone to tell his parents how naughty he is.
He kills for the most juvenile reasons and the victims are all basically asking for it. Your nephew blasts you with his eyes and you decide to drive away from your home leaving your family for no reason at all.
He also seems to be much smarter than his earth years but kills for no good reason like a brat on the playground.
This could have been a great anti hero movie with a bit of depth and cunning but instead it's just a gore fest like a Jason or Childsplay movie. I'm hoping the sequel will deal with the development of the lead character and some logic to the whole plot. I would have made him more deceptively evil and show his powers in more of a grandiose manner. The heights of rage are softened down too easily with tenderness. After being rag dolled across the room by a twelve year old the dad decides to take him in the woods for a mercy kill thinking he will just die.
Just missing a bit more meat in the stew for my taste. I still love the trailer better than the movie.
Robin Hood (2018)
100million reasons not to watch!
This movie is another overly expensive stinker made with potentially great actors and a misguided director. Not sure what this movie was trying to communicate because it never delivered.
How does a sheriff invoke such cruelty to people who can leave anytime and not face taxes and harm.
How does an American, a couple Irishmen and some Brits think their strikingly different accents could make this credible
Why hasn't Robin been imprisoned for treason and is questioned for his unexplained riches.
When did arrow shooting become so fast and accurate?
Who gave the green light to spend 100 million dollars for this?
Why can't Jamie Foxx put more effort into his Arabian accent?
This movie once again shows how a certain part of the movie industry thinks that the public will digest and celebrate any foolishness thrown at them because of certain actors with more catch phrases than true dialogue. This movie is a trainwreck comprised of political over correctness and a true abandonment of history. Little John is now forever perceived as a person of color when the legend never intended him to be. Morgan Freeman first played the character as a Moor and now he will a standard because it works in this age.
This is a true example of the rich stealing from the middle class by passing this off as a box office venue. The antagonistic sheriff is played by an actor who can do a convincing American, British or Australian accent with ease, yet it seems the director just doesn't care how they sounded because we would be too dumb to care. The three built prop sets for this movie became too familiar and clostraphobic for me to the point I yearned for fresh air.
Don't waste hard earned money for this drool. Looked like my 5 year old grandchildren playing good against evil games in the yard.
Day of the Dead: Bloodline (2017)
Great distraction but Bad bad movie
I watched this despite my wife's protests and the ratings on NetFlix because I have seen some pretty nice flicks which were lowly rated. This one was spot on! The movie made bad movies seem no so bad. I feel bad for the actors who are trying to make a name in Hollywood but also need to make a paycheck. The movie starts out as a flashback from a scene that is never referenced in it again! The directing seemed to be so juvenile that even a high school student film would fare better. Not sure if this could be called a remake since it lacks the story line of the original and the non sensical killing was moot. I'm glad the director was kind enough to limit it to 90 minutes.
Mother! (2017)
Making a Mother! of a statement
If you've come to see a horror movie then you will be somewhat disappointed. If you've come to see thriller, you may walk out of the movie. If you watch it with an open mind you will be impressed. A great movie with a weird reference and origin. Mother! takes you to the edge of madness until you figure out what is going on. I loved the many actors who showed up in this cinematic college course of a movie. Symbolism takes over and you're okay with some of the macabre events in this film. Blast your surround sound and drink in the movie and experience the spiritual side of this romp.
Justice League (2017)
Better Than Expected but too Predictable!
I went to see this movie with the hopes for the best but expecting the worse. The acting was great but it bothered me that Superman's face seemed dirty for some reason. I found out that the actor had a mustache and it was erased by CGI in a terrible way! Not sure why they didn't just have him shave it off for a multi-million dollar movie! The build up and back story for Aqua Man, Flash and the Cyborg dude was weak and really made no sense as to why they were needed. The plot seemed to be a recycled washed up one from the Marvel Power Cube concept! I didn't have and sense of doom in this movie and, once again, the world is at stake. I really don't know how to fix these movies but I think the Genre needs to be done in a darker way and more character development. The Afleck Batman is very unconvincing to me and they need a more agile actor to play him. The battle between the movie public and the comic geeks rages on in these flicks making the movie kinda vanilla. They should have also used a real person to play the antagonist instead of a cartoon character. I have been a Superman fan all my life and still feel they aren't doing him justice in the way they portray him. The flying sequences need to be slowed down and done with wires instead of DARNED CGI all the time. Wonder Woman stole this movie and could have beaten all of the foes by herself. There is no cleverness in the script and there should have been more grounding to the story. The stand out sequence was the Amazon battle which seemed to belong to a better movie which was usurped by a committee of executives just filling in the blanks. SPOILER ALERT!! The resurrection of Superman was too fast and could have been more climactic by letting the confusion stage last longer and letting him save the crew near the end of their rope. I wish the world doom theme would be changed to something more digestible. Maybe the superhero genre is dying after almost 30 years! I hope this movie makes a lot of money and allows them to make another with lessons they've learned from this tepid movie. lastly, if I could write a script for one of these movies I would use the "less is more" rule. Bring down the action a notch, bring up the IQ of the movie and have a great crescendo in the end. have a few human villains involved and make the maguffin something different beside ultimate power cubes. This movie was watchable and somewhat entertaining but action without a proper plot is a waste of time. The race between Flash and Superman was also childish with failed humor and Lex Luthor is too comical to be feared. They should have added Super Girl, Green Lantern and few others in a small way then kick the butt of a clever formidable villain in cahoots with the Joker or some other human villain. To me the last great superhero movie was Watchmen!
Brimstone (2016)
A perfect Waste of Time
This is one of the dumbest movies about a father wanting to marry his daughter because his wife will not carry out her wifely duties. The premise is stupid, the epic sweeping of the tale told in chapters is also insulting to the viewer. Not sure what the director was so entranced with the script/story about. Guy Pearce played a reverend who must have been special ops in Sweden and was perfect for pursuing his poor daughter. The ironic tale is plain dumb and tries to pass itself off as artistic but miserably fails. The resolution made me regret watching this stupid tepid movie. I can see the point the movie was trying to make about the absence of women's rights back in the day but it was more of a showboating technique with no real depth. If the mute woman knew of the treachery of her father then why would she attend a church he was the pastor of with her family. Why would she not tell her husband about the stuff this dude did before? This movie questions the intelligence of the viewer and tries to sensationalize the absurd!
Silence (2016)
Silence is Golden!
This movie was wonderful! I was blown away by the cinematography and the story pulled you in. The theme of sacrifice, faith and devotion seemed almost futuristic in the presentation. I was glued to the screen and realized how beautiful the ugliness of these peasants really was. The acting was also superb and the way the story turned out was unexpected. Three hours is pretty long but I loved every minute of it. I think this movie should have Oscar buzz on it but I know the action loving public may not gravitate to the artistic perfection of this masterpiece. I think the way the movie is directed displays an almost religious theme to it and the actors seemed drawn into the his vision. The end made you think about your faith and convictions knowing the choices these people made seem unreasonable.
Suicide Squad (2016)
Great Movie!!
I really liked this movie. It was boarder line epic and the directing was very well done. Leto made a new Joker that reminds me of the the beloved cartoon character. I stopped reading comics many years ago but the little background stories got me caught up. Not a big Will Smith acting fan but the ensemble cast helped me deal with a his over acting. The usual enemy premise trying to destroy the world has the same comic book logic as if there are no other heroes available and the town they're in is the epicenter of the world. I think this was better than Batman vs. Superman. I would watch it again and you can tell the writer is a true fan of the comics. I was too crazy about how many kills took place but the flow was pretty good leaving you to want more. The Marvel method of hero fitting the dilemma is also annoying but OK.
Point Break (2015)
Give Me A break!
This movie was an extreme waste of time! The action scenes were pointless and the director did not understand the term Point Break. In the original the chase and direction made more sense. This one seems like an excuse to show action scenes. Most of the characters seemed under developed and you had no connection to them as you did the original. The actors seemed stiff and Johnny Utah seemed more fun when played by Reeves. Not sure why half the stunts were needed. This is what happens when the director allows the actors decide how the characters should develop. I vote for a do over! Let the actors watch the original and see the movement of the movie.
The Leftovers: No Room at the Inn (2015)
Good Acting Okay story
My wife keeps asking me why do I watch this show since I can't stand the writing and it seems to take liberty with story lines that go nowhere. Still, I must say that I enjoyed this one. The movement of the story is so fluid and the desperation to get back in and learn how important being "in" is rings home true to anyone in similar circumstances. The acting was also superb, in my opinion. I will not spoil the end but it give rise to many inner questions of self sacrifice, love, religion, and guilt. I wonder if anyone out there truly can look at the series and say that they fully understand it but this was a good episode.
Getting On (2013)
Getting it On!
This show is a hit and it is clever and subtle enough for you to laugh and learn at the same time. The actors do a great job and the main doctor, Laurie Metcalf, is pure funny in a way that makes you unsure whether to laugh or go hmm. I love her comedic movement and timing. This show is a sleeper hit and outdoes other shows on HBO. Clever writing disguised as simple lines of conversation always gets me laughing because it doesn't dumb down the audience and makes us feel as if we are in on the inside joke. The cast is fine tuned and believable in their roles. I hop this show gets the credit it deserves. Adapted from a British comedy it is a touch above.
Jurassic World (2015)
Jurassic lite
If you take this movie on a teen or tween level, you will enjoy it. I think it first fools you into thinking it was going to be a horror flick and kind of disappoints in the lightness it goes into during the perilous scenes. After making a death defying jump you laugh it off and say "We actually jumped". The fear factor was so dumbed down to make the movie acceptable for kids that it became almost boring until the twist in the end. I wish it was more dark and menacing instead of light and serial like. Still, it was the sixth highest grossing films and this story worked. My justification for the nonchalant attitude was that these creatures were a part of that world for decades and everyone was used to a beast on the lose once in a while. The special effects are amazing and the sound filled my theater room better than any other film this year. I would buy this movie because like "Frozen" this movie will be around for a long time.
Dancing on the Edge (2013)
The Edge of Acceptance
I loved this miniseries! It was very subtle and it made the viewer think. A room of people could watch the same episodes and gather different opinions about the meaning. I love British drama because it doesn't spell out everything for the audience. The Prince's proposition to Louis, the relationship with Julian and two other characters and the meaning of being on the edge. I love the expression on the main character's face when he realizes what it going on. The socio-political statements are subtle and clear as to class and race. It made me reflect on how far this world has come since then. The interracial relations and the color hue thing made me remember how it was back in the 70's and how different it is now. I also love the way color and class was discussed when money came into the picture. From sneaking through the back door to being escorted in the grand entrance. I wished it went on for another season where characters were brought back from exile and old love rekindled, but this is good enough. I think John Goodman is a compass towards good scripts and he makes any movie better. Watch it and enjoy. Being black and poor and hob knobbing with the leisurely wealthy can be dangerous for the ones on the edge of a society where color is still an issue. Being given privilege and then having it taken away can bring you back down to earth so you can see things clearly. Being poor and not having any nobility can also take you to a place where you feel you may transcend your status but like a young blue jay with it's wings clipped, you fall to the ground.
Mississippi Damned (2009)
Damned From the Start
I am not sure why this movie was made. Every stereotype has been exhausted to the fullest in the movie. I think black folks and homosexuals are portrayed in a light that basically enforces every stereotype on old time television. I am not a fan of smoldering movies with a payoff that is seen a mile away coming. The shades of hope are quite evident in this movie where the darker you are the darker the chances of any salvation. The topics in this drama are real but I am certain this was meant to be touching when all it seemed to be to me was an outright downer movie. I think movies should have some learning lesson for the viewer and not just droll on like Boris Karloff doing his Frankenstein thing. The end is also quite disappointing and there is nothing I can redeem from it.
What Happened, Miss Simone? (2015)
Mrs. Backlash Blues
The telling of Nina's story through the words of her family and old footage from her as well is truly moving and unsettling. I felt the closing in of the events that lead to her fame, fall, and fatality. It seems as if everyone was affected by the power of her illness which was fueled by the times. I am not sure if one accelerated the other. Growing up in the south and traveling all over the world does something to you. You become enlightened and the junk that was going on in the US over race was ludicrous and enraging. I am not sure if I could deal with that back then either. Nina was truly ahead of her time but got stuck in time due to the violence of those times. I love the way she expressed her disdain for the instrument of her fame and I also loved the attitude she had about her own voice. I grew up listening to this strange voice and at first I could not figure out if it was a man or woman until further into the album. This documentary is a timely tribute to the singer and it also allowed us to see what she was going through and why she fell off the face of the earth for a while. I look at her from a different pair of eyes now and I am grateful to know her story.
Joe (2013)
Joe Is a No go for me
This movie is a failed attempt at Americana gone wrong. I hate downer movies where the actor is just trying to get an award of some kind by playing a deep brooding character. Nick Cage didn't do too badly in his acting but it was still Cage. I am never a fan of characters that are totally good or totally bad. I think the effort was worth watching but like a pot of deer stew, it needed all of the right ingredients. A pinch of something was missing. The ending was cool but predictable and I kind of hoped it would got another way. "What did you do, Joe" was the worse line and you will see for yourself. On the positive side, the story moved slowly but had a bit of dark humor in it. The characters looked like they were in their real element. I hear one of the mains was actually a homeless man. The directing was also pretty good. I would recommend you give this movie a go.
Arráncame la vida (2008)
Cinema at it's best
I love the drive in this movie. It sweeps from country to city with wonderful undertones and great panoramic scenes. The actors did a great job and the directing was superb. The story is told in a hurry up and wait fashion that I usually see in Italian films. The ruthlessness of the general is played down with the tender way he treats his wife and family. It leaves you confused and unsure who to root for. I also love when actors can pull of playing very young to mature and have you believing it. Entitlement is a universal theme where the very rich takes advantage of the poor. I loved the lead actress how she played the part and the story kept going as if it would never end and you wanted to keep watching. It kind of makes one wish there was a sequel to this historic fiction based upon real characters.
The Signal (2014)
Great Movie with all of the suspense
I loved this movie and how it drew you into the mystery behind the whole plot. I thought the acting was good and the movie was the type made for a smart viewer. It didn't over reveal the shockers and I loved the way it morphed into another genre of cinema right in the middle of it. The concept was a bit out there but the subtle telling of the tale kept me guessing up to the end. This movie pretends to be a low budget mystery and then bursts into a pretty nifty science fiction. I would have loved if the ending was different and they did more but hoping for a sequel. The part where the doctor said he would not be able to protect them up there was the only part that made no sense to me. The mystery of the girl is also left unexplained. Watch this movie with an opened mind and listen carefully to the complexity of the concepts dished out to you. You will find it as innovative and creative as I did. It had a short story feel to it but it was pretty good.
The Other Woman (2014)
Madeline Kahn Lives Again!
Leslie Mann! I must say that the trio of women really made this film. I am not much of a Diaz fan but she had me laughing a bit in the first parts of meeting Mann. This movie works on the improbable scenario where a man's wife meets and plots with his two mistresses who weren't aware that they were messing with a married man. Upton just shines on the screen as the youngest of the three. I thought the plot was a lot like another movie "John Carter Must Die" Still, this was pulled off with a bit of class. The actor from Game Of Thrones did a great job as Mark. His accent pours out sometimes but he is convincing. I guess I was not too crazy about watching this because it is definitely a Girlie Movie, but I was drawn in by Leslie Mann! She reminds me of the late Madeline Kahn who could crack me up with just an expression. Of course some of the scenes were played over the top but a few of them. I even kinda like Minaj in her bit part as Diaz' assistant. I would recommend this movie to a friend. Don't expect any profundity from it and just go with the flow. It always cracks me up how Hollywood depicts cheating men when the industry thrives upon infidelity.
Noah (2014)
Say No to Noah!
I am not sure what pleasure the writer director may have gotten by spending millions of dollars to produce a movie from a poem he wrote when he was 9 years old. The movie was a total waste of time and it was an affront to the Holy Bible and several other religious books. I don't know why would someone wish to insult so many people who grew up on one of the few stories told by every ancient tribe in the world. The story was not too bad but it is a shame they had to soil a biblical hero in the process. The acting was good and the special effect were special. Russell Crowe did as much as he could with the role. Ray Winstone also stood out. I just wish they could have stuck with the story of old.
Happy Valley (2014)
Excellent Series!
I know this genre is overplayed by the Brits and some of it can be tedious when done wrong rushed, but this series started with a whimper and ended with a bang. The writer should teach others how to develop characters we can care about. The action was subtle and yet quite believable. The main characters were well cast where even the sisters resembled each other. I love the way the actors sold us on the Happy Valley mentality and then the truth rises to the top of the pot. It felt like I had moved into a quaint town and gotten to know the underlying truth after a few weeks of living there. The ending seemed a bit rushed and unbelievable but it didn't detract from the great story.
Hinterland (2013)
Monty Python Murder Mystery
It is always interesting when a series tries to piggy back on another series. Broadchurch gone bad is what I see and it almost seems like a Monty Python sketch where the characters are over played. Another thing that bothers me is the fact that so many murders happen in a small town. The clues and plots seem empty and over dramatic and the actors seem weary in delivering their lines. I found out that the series was done in Welsh and English so this is probably why it drooled on. The visuals were great and the first story about the orphanage showed promise but then the next story got dumber and so on. I have the assumption that the writers just put together this show to feed the trendy murder mystery revival going on in England. Unfortunately, it is the parody and not the real McCoy. Season one of the Fall was gripping and so was Happy Valley. This is a waste of time.