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morrells
Reviews
The Killer (2023)
Just average
The hitman movie has been done soooo many times. If any director/writer plans to make yet another movie about an assassin they really need to find a new angle or shtick.
This movie doesn't achieve anything new at all and is just a dry regurgitation of so many that have gone before.
Movies like Leon, or Collateral offered a story where you could get behind the characters. The Killer's main protagonist is soulless and there are no supporting characters that the viewer can care about.
The film is simply dull and fairly predictable. It's well made, well acted, and well choreographed but the main failing is the story - it's unoriginal, unimaginative, and uninspiring.
Hijack (2023)
Woeful. Simply woeful.
Do script writers ever run their story plans past any human beings before beginning production?
This is easily the worst thing I've seen on TV in 2023.
The story starts weak and ridiculous and ends up like a comedy routine, getting ever more ludicrous. There are simply no redeeming aspects.
I'm always prepared to temporarily put my brain on hold for a silly but entertaining drama, but this garbage requires you to remove your brain, feed it through a mincing machine, then pour it down the nearest drain.
Utterly utterly awful.
It boggles my mind how so many people can spend so much time and money and end up with something so hideously bad.
And it should have been obvious before they even hired a single actor. The story is just the most immature, unimaginative, waffle. If you read it in a free amateur fiction pamphlet you'd still want your money back.
I would dearly love to buy the writers a pint and pick their brains as to how they can possibly create something so bad, or maybe this was actually an expirement, maybe it was written by an AI not. If so, somebody should unplug it immediately.
The Mosquito Coast (2021)
1st series excellent - 2nd series truly dire
Loved the first series. Great acting, great writing, intriguing storyline, well shot, and good music. At the end of season 1 I couldn't wait to see where season 2 took the story.
OMG.
I've never seen such a quality TV show crash and burn so badly in its next season.
It was entirely down to the catastrophic writing. The story was simply absurd. It was as if they never expected to make a 2nd season then suddenly had it sprung on them and had to come up with a story in 5 minutes.
More plot holes than Swiss cheese and the poor actors were given abysmal lines to read. Simply awful and a massive wasted opportunity.
It's hard to comprehend that "professional" film makers read the story outline and said "yeah, that sounds good". Anyone with half a brain should have seen that the behaviour of the characters was bizzare and beyond unrealistic, and the entire tale was ludicrous.
I highly recommended anyone to watch and enjoy the first season but stop there and don't go anywhere near season two.
Foundation (2021)
Cue incessant whining of book fans
As soon as anyone decides to adapt a book into a movie or TV series you know instantly that IMDB will be inundated by angry readers moaning that they've spoiled the book.
I've read the books and of course there are huge differences, but I don't care. Foundation is a fabulously sumptuous sci-fi that anyone who loves the genre will enjoy.
That is all.
Inherit the Wind (1960)
The ultimate ode to truth and logic
A masterpiece of a movie that everyone should see.
If nothing else persuades you to watch this great film the demands from religious zealots to have it banned should be reason enough to encourage you not to miss it.
The Tomorrow War (2021)
Get over yourself - It's a popcorn movie
This isn't Inception or Los Cronocrímenes.
It's a popcorn movie.
It's a "disengage your brain, and crank up the surround sound" movie.
People getting their knickers in a twist over plot holes, logic gaps, and lazy writing need to take a chill pill.
Definetly worth a watch.
Stop thinking and just enjoy the ride.
Curfew (2019)
Totally changed my mind about this.
It makes zero sense.
The storyline is bonkers.
The acting is up and down, as is the script.
But if you judge this series against so called "serious" sci-fi drama like the Walking Dead then you're doing it all wrong.
This takes us all back to the classic sci-fi of the 70s and 80s. Movies like the original Dawn of the Dead, Escape from New York, and oddities like RepoMan and A Boy And His Dog
It even has an excellent John Carpenter-esque theme tune.
Tune in, unplug brain, and let the wonderful madness wash over you.
London Has Fallen (2016)
Utter, utter, utter, utter, utter, drivel.
The worst movie I've had the misfortune to watch in a considerable time. Awful writing, awful acting, just awful in every respect. Not an ounce of realism or believability. Simply staggeringly stupid in every way. The basic premise could have worked, a terrorist attack on London, but absolutely no rational thought was put into the execution of the idea. Lazy, shallow, brain-dead film making. As it went on I actually thought I was watching a parody. Deeply depressing that so much money went into such a poor excuse for entertainment. Very, very sad indeed. I've actually run out of things to say about this movie as there's absolutely nothing to salvage. It's a train wreck. A hopeless, weak, still-born abomination of a movie.
Outcasts (2010)
Awful, awful, awful, awful, awful.
So many stereotypes. So many clichés. So little thought. So badly written. Do these overpaid writers/producers/directors EVER watch any TV? I re-watched the Martian Chronicles on DVD recently. It was made in 1980. It's a little dated, the sets and special effects are ropey to say the least. But even that is far far superior to the garbage that is Outcasts. Not to mention the recent Sci-Fi masterpieces like Battlestar Galactica and Firefly. But someone already made the point, this really isn't sci-fi. It's a woefully written drama in the vein of casualty that just happens to be set on another planet. I really really wish I could opt out of the licence fee when I see it being wasted by people who don't have a clue.
Rookie Blue (2010)
Simply the worst cop show in years.
This is so much rubbish. Totally unrealistic. All these model-looks rookies running around together solving crimes and having soap opera relationships. The cast of this show would be better in Scooby Doo! It makes TJ Hooker look like a gritty docu-drama. Watch Southland instead, it's way better. I haven't seen anything this shallow, pretentious, unreal, undramatic and simply annoying in a long time. The main players have clearly been selected because of their looks, not their acting abilities. The storyline and scripts are just completely contrived and unrealistic. The producers obviously haven't employed the services of anyone who's ever worked in law enforcement, or if they have they blatantly ignored any advice they were given by such persons. It simply beggars belief that in a TV age that has seen the likes of Hill Street Blues and The Wire, any writer or producer can create such garbage as this.
Torchwood (2006)
Please do NOT make another series !
I'll try and keep this brief.(But will probably fail) Firstly, I quite like the new presentation of Doctor Who; I feel the balance of drama/sci-fi/action/tongue-in-cheek is about right, although some of the episodes were a little too focused on 'emotional issues'.
I had high hopes when I heard about Torchwood. I immediately remembered the Doctor Who of John Pertwee's time and the team of soldiers (professionals trained for a job, not a bunch of I.T. boffins and a police drop-out) that frequently assisted him in fighting alien threats. I imagined Torchwood would lose the tongue-in-cheek aspect and the children's 'angle' and end up in the vein of previous British TV dramas such as Day of the Triffids, Sapphire and Steele, the Mad Death, the Omega Factor et al.
All these shows dealt with sci-fi/drama/other worldly factors but were clearly written by adults for adults. It should also be noted that none of them contained swear words or sex, clearly illustrating that this approach to making something 'adult' is, in itself, childish. (Ask a ten year old how to make a TV programme adult and they would probably suggest making the actors shout and swear and end up in bed together)
I am completely disappointed at what the makers have created here. The scripts are juvenile, the acting is frequently OTT, the sets and presentation are equally OTT and unnecessarily flashy. There is no real dramatic element to be found and, as a viewer, you fail to make any connection with any character.
It seems to me that the most important factor with a programme like this is the writing. Get the groundwork of a well thought out, well written story and work up from that. On watching Torchwood I sometimes thought they were making it up as they went along.
Many comments have already been made making comparisons with drama and sci-fi shows from the USA, and I'm afraid I have to agree.
Is there no-one out there who can pen a series that is as worthy as some of these US shows but with a healthy dose of Britishness?
PS - The little things are important: the flashy blue chav-strips on their car? Have they ever heard 'less is more' ?
The Grudge (2004)
My new scariest film ever
Seems to me there's a clear split of opinion here. There are those that are fans of films like Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Evil Dead, Dawn of the Dead etc, which are all in-your-face, blood and guts all over the camera. And then those that are more into the psychological movies that try and scare by suggestion and surprise moments. Personally I'm a fan of movies from both genre, I love Dawn of the Dead, and prior to the Grudge I thought the Shining was the scariest movie (just my personal opinion). Ultimately horror movies of either genre are like anything in life, we all have different tastes and react differently to things. I acknowledge there was no deep story in the Grudge but if you just put your analytical brain on hold for a couple of hours, and put yourself in the shoes of the people in the film, then it is a truly scary film. There were a couple of moments that annoyed me, like when the cop goes back to the house to burn it down, hears a noise in the bathroom and decides to check it out - a classic "don't go into the house" scooby-doo moment. Personally I would have drenched the outside of the house with gas, why go inside at all? But overall, I have to say that the Grudge has knocked the Shining off my personal most-scary-movie spot. And as for the audience reaction. I watched this movie at Universal Studios Los Angeles on its opening weekend, with an audience that appeared to be of mixed ages. Everyone appeared to enjoy it, and there was plenty of positive feedback afterwards. The only time the audience laughed was in the scenes involving the senile old woman, and they appeared to be laughing at her, which I did find a little insensitive, are senile old people comedy fodder in the USA? not where i come from.
Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003)
As dull as the two Matrix sequels
What on earth was all the hype about? I thought Reservoir Dogs was good, if a little over-rated. I consider Pulp Fiction to be one of the best movies ever made. But this? Great start, with real promise of an interesting movie. Then she gets the samurai sword and, for me, the movie starts to slide. No plot twists, interesting story directions or intriguing tales. Just one woman killing lots of people...? The dialogue is dull, the camera work seems to last forever. I do buy all the references to other movies, but that is simply not enough to hold my attention. This was just plain dull. I found this very similar to the second Matrix movie, in that halfway through the major fight scene I was just totally bored. The only plot driven element to the movie is how many different ways, using different weapons, and different gymnastic moves can you kill someone. The first explosive fight scene was great, but they just go on and on.. As a result I have no interest in seeing part two as we all know it will just be more of the same, I'll wait till it comes on TV. Wake me up when its over. By the way, I'm a huge Bruce Lee fan, and loved the few decent movies that he made, but Kill Bill just doesn't compare.
A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001)
Put all your expectations aside and just enjoy it.
This film has caused so many opposing views. It appears that half the people hate it and half love it. I have to say I really enjoyed it. But I think the biggest problem is people's pre-conceived ideas. Those who like Kubriks films will consider "Ai" too wishy washy and emotional. Those who like Spielbergs work will consider it too dark, slow and a bit non-sensical. But you really have to view this film from a totally neutral and un-biased position and appreciate it on its own merits. Even if it wasn't common knowledge, you would be able to tell this is the work of two radically different directors melded into one image. It constantly jumps from extreme sentiment and obvious emotion, to dark, depressing views of humanity, and mixes in a heavy dose of philosophical "what are we all about" commentry. I have to admit it brought a few tears to my eyes, and I defy anyone with normal emotions to remain dry-eyed throughout, and its one of those films you'll talk and argue about in the bar afterwards. I think critics of the film have been overly harsh and too quick to judge. Don't expect a serious,deep, "2001" style film, or a flashy, easy on the eyes(and brain) "ET" style film. This is new territory for both directors, and is a cocktail of styles and ideas that, because of the history and circumstances of its making, may never occur again. This is a good film, enjoy it for what is, not what you wanted it to be. Oh, and I loved the bear.