theslayer2112's Reviews

F9: The Fast Saga (2021)

1/10

27 February 2023

This series needs to be put out of its misery!

What started as a kick-ass indie story that has become a cult favourite, I still would want to watch the first movie anytime it is on TV, was just taken on weird tales and adventures, each episode bordering on the insane and absurd, bringing us to this movie.

How on earth this story got greenlit, and that too at this budget, is beyond me! The story had me spacing out! Pun intended, IYKYK. :D

Yet another high powered adventure that only Toretto and his crew can pull off apparently. Another absurd tale of mind and gravity defying stunts. (See what I did there! :P ) But even all this can't save this movie. It is just way too long.

This series and the crew are good for one thing, and one thing only, stunts! And this movie is loaded with stunts! That is the only redeeming factor in what was essentially a snooze-fest.

Even the family emotion and pull isn't enough to keep one glued to the screen. I actually found myself browsing on my mobile, and paying attention only when the stunts came on. Vin Diesel's mumbling and Michelle Rodriguez's uninspiring and insipid performance aside, I see only Tyrese Gibson, Ludacris and Nathalie Emmanuel's characters putting any efforts in acting. Even then, Tyrese Gibson seems to be the only one that can enunciate! Charlize Theron's talents are absolutely wasted in this series, more so in this movie.

More unknown family members crawl out of the woodwork in this series than any other, more dead people come back to life, than any other series too.

I am expecting no less than Paul Walker being resurrected for the tenth and hopefully last movie in this series, and I hope, sincerely, for everyone's sake, they put this series to rest!

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Raangi (2022)

1/10

Half-baked everything!

14 February 2023

Warning: Spoilers

This story tries real hard to try to find merit in the saying 'one man's freedom fighter is another man's terrorist' without really trying to make sense of the various storylines.

The film does a horrible job of normalizing how the lewd policeman verbally harasses the protagonist, how the protagonist herself addresses those predators preying on her underage niece online, and how she even risks the said niece's life multiple times over, just to get to her ends by means necessary.

Everyone involved in this project should hang their heads in shame for delivering an absolute crap-fest of a movie!

The film brushes over the various subjects without actually delving into it enough to make sense. It would have made much more sense if, instead of politicking, they had picked one topic and stuck to it to the end. They could have made this an investigative series about how online sexual predators prey on underage children and have our protagonist be the journalist who investigates this plague and forces the authorities to really crack down on this. Who knows, this could even have become a hit series.

But no, our writers and directors are more involved in politicking and making nonsensical projects that serve no purpose other than bringing their jumbled point of view to the world!

Coming to the antagonists, who might they be? Not the sexual predators whose storyline was just brushed over, not the lewd policeman, who also did not get his just desserts, but the crass representation of the American FBI. Sure, they have run their share of running afoul of multiple countries' internal affairs. But if your stated goal in the movie is to show the freedom fighters' point of view in Libya, at least don't paper over it. There was just one dialogue with a guy the protagonist consults on what the issue in Libya was all about. If the basis for your anti-hero lies in the freedom struggle in Libya post the American interference, at least do a better job of telling that story so that the audience empathizes with it. As mentioned, it is just a whole mumbo-jumbo of half baked nonsense. There was so much potential but not one storyline was used properly!

What a waste of the talented Trisha! Hope actors start finding their voice when presented with garbage projects, and in moulding such half-baked stories into shape.

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Meet Joe Black (1998)

10/10

An epic love story!

14 September 2022

At the crux of it all, what Meet Joe Black is, is a love story, be it for Anthony Hopkins' character Bill's love for his late wife, his family, his life, his life's work or Joe Black and Susan's romance. What works is this beautiful story told from the perspective of the main characters, the kind of romance that makes you go "weak in the knees", as taken from the movie itself.

Words would never suffice when talking about the talented Sir Anthony Hopkins. He has always been captivating in any role he has played, be it the doddering but lovable old man in "The world's fastest Indian', his chilling portrayal as Hannibal and as the vengeful husband in 'Fracture'. Continuing his exemplary work, he essays a role here that takes him through different motions in a very short period of time, from a very successful professional caught up in his work, whose entire life changes as he is paid a visit by none other than 'Death' himself. Suffice it to say he was brilliant as ever!

I have always liked Brad Pitt in the many roles he has essayed over the years. Now he is no Leo Di Caprio when it comes to acting (who I feel acts his heart out almost every time), but I have always felt Pitt does a reasonably good job of acting for the roles he has played. What he doesn't seem to bring with his acting chops, he more than makes up for it with his screen presence. And man, he does it in spades here!

The revelation was Claire Forlani for me. I have only seen a few other titles she has been in and do not actually remember much of her other body of work. But I will carry this movie and Claire's performance forever in my heart! To sum it up in colloquial terminology, 'Find yourself someone that looks at you the way Susan looks at Joe Black'! :D

Not a great lover of the romance genre, but I found myself deeply moved by the story and the performances, undeterred by the 3 hour run time, which did seem daunting at the beginning, but once the movie got going, I was hardly bothered by the length of the movie, captivated as I was by the story and the brilliant actors.

A perfect 10 from me! :)

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Let's Go to Prison (2006)

7/10

Surprisingly good

21 February 2022

I caught this movie earlier tonight on Netflix. Went into it without any expectations, just wanted some mindless comedy to take my mind off things.

I was pleasantly surprised by this well done movie. For the most part, it is well written and executed, some tight directing on the part of Bob Odenkirk, who I am so in awe of as an actor on Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, that I didn't pay much attention to the fact that he has directed about 21 titles as of February 2022.

What I am most grateful about is the clear steering away from topics meant to disgust viewers, or other typical cringeworthy subjects that we invariably find to be an inalienable part in recent 'comedy' movies. The focus for the most part, on the subjects' handling of the situation they find themselves in, which were comic enough, and their inept mishandling of the same, making it funnier still.

Overall, if you want to kick back, put your feet up and are in need of some good comedy after a hard day, you won't go wrong with this movie.

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Reacher (2022– )

9/10

A Reacher worth his weight

7 February 2022

Pun intended of course.

Having read the books and being a fan, I had my doubts about Tom Cruise pulling off playing Jack Reacher in the movies. Without dissing on Cruise's portrayal of the character, this rendition by Alan Ritchson blows the movies out of the water! The dude being huge as book Reacher was, at least he resembles the description in the book, something alas, out of Cruise's hands. :D This series is well adapted for TV, the episodes are quite good and exciting. I spent the day binge-watching the series as it kept me hooked and I finished all the 8 episodes in one go!

Having read almost the entire series, the first book this first season of Reacher is based on, has stayed with me. And for good reasons. The violent explosion that this series is, it is a good thing they started right at the beginning like the book series. How they proceed with the series from here would be interesting to note, but I would be waiting for the second season for sure!

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Runner Runner (2013)

3/10

Boring boring

6 September 2021

Even the presence of a Hollywood A-Lister and the lovely Gemma Arterton couldn't redeem this utterly boring flick. JT should stick to what he knows and does best, shaming Britney Spears, and leave Hollywood well alone!

That could be his gift to humanity!

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Schitt's Creek (2015–2020)

9/10

Refreshing comedy, done just right

26 July 2020

Having had my fill of sitcoms based on friends and their lives, when this show came along my interest was piqued naturally. Every new sitcom around the time this came out was trying to attempt something different but I don't think any of those others were as well done. Without giving much away, a show about rich & spoilt brats having to learn and make their own way in the world, when thrown in with a lot of comedy in between, definitely made for an interesting watch than most other friends based ones I have tired of.

The characters are well developed, all major ones are given adequate character development and their arcs are satisfactory for the most part. The comedy and its delivery varies as per the actors, from Emily Hampshire's (Stevie) deadpan delivery, to the exaggerated facial expressions of the brilliant Dan Levy. Eugene Levy (of the American Pie movies) is good as usual but Catharine O'Hara (Moira Rose) and Annie Murphy (Alexis) steal the show every single scene they are in, especially Annie Murphy - special mention for the little squeals, facial expressions and gestures that do not seem exaggerated for someone of Alexis' upbringing and social standing, though they definitely would seem out of place in the real world.

The story develops nicely and ends on a high that I wish many other sitcoms had adopted - yes I'm looking at you HIMYM creators. I just finished binge watching them on Netflix tonight and I'm happy to note that the initial interest I had in the show, after watching the first few episodes when they originally came out, the show kept me interested till the end. Do give it a try, I'm sure you would binge watch it too.

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Brokeback Mountain (2005)

9/10

Beautiful film and a wonderful performance by Heath Ledger

20 May 2016

In my opinion, Heath Ledger deserved the Oscar for this movie. His role was deeply moving and makes the viewer experience emotions for it is what is - a love story. My not being homosexual did not prevent me from being moved in two of the most emotional scenes in the story - one where Heath and Jake fight in their last meeting and the very last scene.

This is my point of view as well as in response to a few claiming they did not understand as they could not see it from the point of view of a homosexual. You don't have to be a gay man to understand the love portrayed in this story and you don't need to be straight in order to understand love.

This movie was as much about love as it was about the main characters being males and being in love with each other. DO NOT make it a homosexual movie and see it for what it is - a love story and a brilliant and moving performance by one of the best actors that we are fortunate enough to have witnessed and whom the world lost oh-so- soon!

I could not get around to watching this movie all this while and when I finally did earlier today, I was thoroughly impressed. This is what happens when a wonderful story gets told by a brilliant director who brings the characters to life on screen with the help of talented actors, not just Heath and Jake but the supporting cast too did a brilliant job. Absolutely a must watch, the background score blends in wonderfully and accentuates the emotions on screen.

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Gotham (2014–2019)

9/10

Simply put, brilliance on TV!!

26 June 2015

Of late, I have realized that TV content is getting developed much better than movies and I find myself binge-watching many recent TV series than movies. This is happening all the more because of the gripping and taut story lines (TV shows, given their length, used to ramble on about the plot, but thankfully no more) and brilliant overall delivery.

Gotham stands out even amongst this new wave of brilliant TV shows. The first season of Gotham exuded brilliance. Tight direction, brilliant (overkilling this word no?) acting, fantastic casting and this amalgamation is truly one for the ages. Every cast member seems to be perfect for their role and they deliver and how!!

Without giving much away, Jada Pinkett Smith, you ma'am are as much of a powerhouse performer as your famous husband! What a performance by her! Every scene she is in, she totally steals the show. Robin Lord Taylor is mesmerizing in his role of Oswald Cobblepot. I found the entire cast to be perfect and the above two were mentioned for no particular reason but for their sheer brilliance on screen.

As a fellow reviewer, I too thought another 'Batman Begins' won't be much fun but I did expect some detailing seeing this is a TV show. But was I blown away! This was more of a Jim Gordon Begins or more correctly, Ascends kinda story. This storyline works perfect for this show as gradually the different villains are introduced in their own chilling manner (and man, the violence and mafia story lines are a delight) and gradually build up to why Gotham would end up needing a masked (and caped) crusader! Anyway, that's where I hope the future seasons are going. A lot to look forward to in Season 2 of Gotham and boy it sure looks promising!

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True Detective (2014– )

10/10

One word for this show - WOW

3 April 2015

Very rarely does a show captivate you right from the beginning, take you higher and higher and when it eventually ends, as you know and dread its reaching that stage all too soon, you are still on a high. Then you start watching it a second time, just so you catch those parts that you missed the first time. Breaking bad was one such show, True Detective is as good or better. Matthew McConaughey delivers a powerhouse performance as Detective Rust Cohle. Now I am one of those people who watched McC in rom-com and adventure/comedy movies only earlier and thought it was impossible for him to deliver the performance he did in Dallas Buyers Club. I had recently watched that movie and was blown away by his acting. He brings that same intensity in this role and man, is he good!! Woody Harrelson gives McC awesome support both in character as his partner Detective Hart and as the co-actor. He is the anchor to McC's supposed freewheeling ideas and is his greatest supporter and as they say in the show his only pal. His portrayal of a man torn between family values and 'taking his release wherever he could find it' and his acting overall is brilliant. It is always delightful watching the lovely Michelle Monaghan and she does a good job in this show as Mrs Hart. The storyline, the way it slowly unravels, the edginess to it and the brilliant acting by the lead and supporting actors make it one of the best shows out there. When I reached the eventual end, I was left asking for more, much more. I read there is a second season in development now. I don't see how a new season can follow this brilliant first one but here's hoping it turns out as good as the first season.

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Love & Other Drugs (2010)

7/10

Love : Yes, Other drugs : Yes, Worth watching : hell yeah

29 July 2012

Love and other drugs is yet another attempt at soft romance aka chick flick (don't we have a lot of them already?). However, with near stellar performance from the lead actors and a good, tight and sensitive story, this makes for a good entertaining Sunday night flick (well, I watched it on a Sunday night anyway).

It has its fun moments, the ambitious young salesman (Jake) who moonlights as a womanizer to meet his sales target, the (not so usually and at times super) sensitive girl and a sensitive subject. All ingredients for a classic boy-meet-girl-fall-in-love-with-a-twist tale, a classic chick flick, I know. But the film delivers.

The male protagonist's transformation from a womanizer to a true-to-one lover to a Parkinsons patient, brings about the sensitivity this movie required, to make it different from the hundreds of other romantic flicks. The sensitive nature of dealing with a partner who has a life- long affliction, staying committed to that one person despite their constant pushing you away in denial & realizing that they need you more than you need them and therefore you stick with them no matter what, really sets this story apart.

I am happy with the main characters' performances in the movie, yet I feel Gyllenhall could have put in some more emotion when convincing Hathaway that they need to be together come what may. Apart from this one small thing, the overall feel of this movie is good. A one-time watch for romantics, I know my fiancée will. :)

This rates high on my romantic movie list (not that difficult seeing it is not that long a list though :D).

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