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Reviews
The Gentlemen (2024)
Far-fetched, near-fetched, and too fetched.
I have slogged through the first five episodes and I'm throwing in the towel. Th series began with a somewhat interesting premise, but quickly ran off the rails into just another creative cul-de-sac. Most of the characters are too stupid for words, and couldn't find a lit candle in a dark room. Everyone of the cast is trying to be so wry that they have forgotten how to be clever. This scenario needs a directorial hand that knows how to get dash and panache out of the actors with out letting them chew the scenery. This needed the same touch as the first of the Kingsmen films. That sure directing style is completely missing. I will say adieu. Too ritchie for me.
The Irishman (2019)
Overlong and could not pass belief..
A huge mistake was not casting young actors for 50s and 60s and 70s parts of this far too long and indulgent Scorsese mish-mash. Watching all these great old actors try to be young again is painful, and ruins the movie. Why Scorsese could not trust himself to make a solid well cast film is just beyond me. The script was so long, so repetitive, and so dull. The period atmosphere was spot on, but again ruined by old duffers taking up space that would have been better served by solid newcomers. And I say this as an old duffer myself, and an admirer of all of them. I can't turn back the clock and neither can they. And that constantly takes you out of the movie.
Succession (2018)
NOT ONE LIKEABLE CHARACTER
This turgid family soaper gets worse with each episode. These are the most over written characters on TV. Each member of this "Family" is deep down rotten, with no redeeming qualities. If, as one reviewer said this is HBOs answer to Billions, they missed the mark bigly. It's like the writers tried to be as off the wall as possible, and not in a fun, or clever, or interesting way. Just awful for awful's sake. I had to quit watching during episode 8. The torture was too much. I won't be going back.
The Many Saints of Newark (2021)
A WASTE OF TIME
So disappointing in every way. No plot, no story, no point. A complete waste of time and money. Too bad. I find it hard to believe that David Chase had anything to do with this. I also can't understand how HBO would release this total misfire. This looks like a bad studio cut of what would have been a good film. Or a very flawed rejected pilot.
William Kelly's War (2014)
GAVE UP AFTER FIVE MINUTES
This film has the production look of a High School Senior project, and in many places not even that good. After five minutes I couldn't take any more.
Inception (2010)
Never bought the premise.
This far too long exercise in SFX, never caused me to suspend my sense of disbelief. No compelling characters, no compelling story, just a waste of time and money.
The Hound of the Baskervilles (1978)
Cook and Moore Together Again
If you like the humor of Peter Cook and Dudley Moore you will love this movie. Ably abetted by Spike Milligan's writing and acting, this broad comic take on Holmes and Watson will have you laughing. Nothing in the cannon is taken seriously, so serious Holmes students will hate this till they start chuckling. I never miss this when on TV and I wish I had a copy.
Jack Ryan (2018)
Unimpressed
Watched the first episode and knew the plot and plot tricks half way in. I hope it gets better and less predictable. Far too retread.
Young and Willing (1943)
Watched a very poor print of a very Good comedy
I found this on Youtube in multiple clips and downloaded it and put it together in one file. I'm very glad I did. It's one of the brightest, funniest, and original comedies I've seen in a long time. The cast is filled with young up and coming future stars and they shine wonderfully. The first half is well setup and the laughs in the second half come fast and often. The old hands give the movie a solid foundation for the newcomers to play on. I would love to find a good print because this film deserves to be seen as good as new. Track it down and forgive the print quality and enjoy the show.
A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001)
Why?
I cannot understand how this slow, over long, and pointless movie ever got financed. The Kubrick-Spielberg names must have been enough to make otherwise hard-headed businessmen throw money at an insipid sleepwalk of a fairy-tale. Good-acting and good effects don't make up for this snoozefest.
Doctor Zhivago (1965)
3 hours wasted.
If you're looking for a travelogue of the vast landscape of Russia, this is for you. If you're looking for an interesting story, compelling characters, or just a way to stay awake, this is not for you. 15 minutes of story about shallow people running around the Steppes for three hours.
LA to Vegas (2018)
Enjoyable
Original premise, good ensemble work, funny and enjoyable. I hope they can maintain. Looking forward to more.
Mackenna's Gold (1969)
Not worth the time.
Interminable story, poor plot, bad acting, bad sound, wasted pointless cameos, one of the worst high budget Westerns I've ever seen. I had to fast forward during the never-ending chase scenes. Gregory Peck was unhappy with the film, saying that "Mackenna's Gold was a terrible western. Just wretched." Nothing else need be said.
Three Comrades (1938)
Deadly Boring
This is a fine and interesting movie up until Miss Sullavan appears. Then the ride to Boringville begins. She is neither a good enough actress nor attractive enough to hold your attention. She does not make her character at all dear enough to care about, which makes you wonder why the three male leads come to adore her. This was almost impossible to sit through. What could have been a strong dramatic story about three WWI Comrades-in- arms coping with the trials of post war Germany, is ruined by teary melodramatics centered on Sullavan. Too bad.
The Goldbergs (2013)
"The Wonder Years" for the 80s kids.
I just got finished watching the first episode, and I have to admit it isn't perfect. I believe however that this might grow into a classic to rival other period pieces like "Brooklyn Bridge," and "The Wonder Years." It takes me back to a place I miss. Where Parents got involved with their children, and the children hated it. Nobody in the family had any privacy, and Facebook wasn't anywhere on the horizon. It wasn't a simpler time, it was just as screwed up as now. I miss it. The same deep nostalgia I felt when watching "The Wonder Years" I feel when watching this show. I've lived thru both eras, and "The Goldbergs" is true to its time. Sweet, laugh out loud funny, sad and melancholy. It is very much the 80s as I remember them. I miss then.
The Taming of the Shrew (1980)
The DEFINITIVE FILMED VERSION
Unlike Taylor, Burton, and Zefferelli, who run roughshod over Shakespere's script and chew the scenery like buffoons; Jonathon Miller's intelligent direction and John Cleese's droll performance illuminate the true depth of the play. Cleese is ever mindful of the brilliance of Katherine's intellect and seduces rather than browbeats her to be his love. While at the same time being seduced by her mind and deeply loving heart. Not a farce as it is most often produced, but a true battle of wits, where both combatants win.