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Reviews
Jolt (2021)
Boring and predictable
This is so devoid of any quality it's just not worth the time. The cliche is followed to the letter so we know exactly what's going to happen when. Unfortunately, I did sit through it to the bitter and expected end. Characters are a one-dimensional caricature. Kate is at best dull and at worst nauseating. Stanley Tucci is ok, but not even close to keeping this afloat with a few short scenes he is in. There is no redemption for this film, actually it shouldn't have been made in the first place.
A Perfect Enemy (2020)
Pretentious and predictable
It's hard to tell what's wrong with this film. It has drama and twists, acting is a bit subpar but not to the point of ruining the film. The reality sort of melts away as we go, but it's always predictable, as if you can make this up as you are going along and make it better. In ways, the film tries way too hard and veers past the point of being pretentious. In the end, just like the accent of the main actor, becomes unpalatable, unbearable and unwatchable.
Enola Holmes (2020)
Revolting piece of right-wing drivel
Oh how deprived and evil the commoners and the poor are, and how the privilege entitles. Only the nobles and the gentry are capable of thought, feeling and virtue and the rabble is there to be used, abused and ignored. In a wave of right-wing propaganda films, it looks like 21st century England is foregoing Dickens and horrors committed in the times and seeks to rekindle colonial spirit. It's wizards and muggles all over again.
The Orville (2017)
What sci-fi is all about
The Orville is refreshing and fun. There is a bit of parody here, but at the same time has quite well concieved and well developed stories, well developed characters and great production and visuals. Stories manage to avoid silly sci-fi stereotypes, apart from when the intention is to have a bit of fun with them. Love it. This is for me what Sci-Fi should be in the 21st century. Definitely worth watching.
Once Upon a Time in... Hollywood (2019)
Brad Pitt superstar
I always enjoy the way Tarantino gets amazing stuff from actors and the whole general air of his films. OUATIH does not disappoint. Don't like Dicaprio, but Brad Pitt is a delight here.
Pacific Rim (2013)
Shows exactly how not to make a film
There is nothing about this film that's worth 90 mins of your time. There is nothing you haven't seen, nothing notable in execution, and you will only get cheesed off by the stupidity of the plot.
Every cheesy cliché is there, it is completely predictable, back story is nonsensical and devoid of any logic, insight into future or basic understanding of the present (important for a film that pretends to be SciFi).
The only success of this film was in creating hype and astroturfing to sucker people into paying to see it. Perhaps most accurate description was from fellow cinema-goer: A pretentious Sharknado.
Prometheus (2012)
Fail
I hated this film for a few reasons. First, it pretends to be "science fiction" when it isn't. It's a dumb horror movie. To qualify for science fiction it has to show a bit more intellectual clout than flat stereotypes that characters flip into. Second, and perhaps connected, is the stereotypes of scientists being the silliest caricatures of human beings, unless they "believe because they choose to believe" which somehow makes them human.
Ridley Scott's sends to space a crew of unvetted, nervous people, some of whom you wouldn't let pour your drink, let alone entrust them with a "trillion dollar" space mission. Incidentally, these are the "scientists" as he imagines them. His explorers take off their helmets in alien atmosphere just on the proportion of CO2 vs O2. They stroll into places without precautions and get lost randomly.
Ridiculous to it's core, this film wasn't worth the money or my time. Hope this helps a few souls spare themselves.
Melancholia (2011)
Disappointment
The film opening was great, if a bit pretentious, and the last minute of the film is probably the best part of the film. Everything between the two is pointless, uninteresting and empty. Shallow, plastic characters, stereotypes and superstitious nonsense are all there but the worst part is the non-existent story with several irrelevant digressions that come to nothing and lead nowhere. Camera is disturbingly shaky in parts, perhaps on par with unsuccessful student experiment.
In fact, *nothing* happens in this film until the last few minutes. That would be perfectly fine quality for a film had there been other content to employ the mind, soul or senses. There was precious little.
Ending really comes as a relief. Perhaps that is the ultimate success of the film. By the end you are so sick of everything, you can't wait for it to happen. It makes sense.
There were two acting performances worth praising - Alexander Skarsgård produced a reasonable performance and Charlotte Gainsbourg came through the dismal script reasonably well.
I like Lars von Trier's films and love Charlotte Gainsbourg. Hope they do better next time.
2012: Supernova (2009)
Good idea, hideous execution
If you are into science fiction, you will recognise this film as another hopeless, low budget entry. Shame that with so much good SciFi books, and so many talented film-makers, we end up with this kind of films... Terrible, naive, boring and predictable script, bad understanding of science and compulsory stereotypes don't give much to actors. But then, with a cast like this, it is questionable whether this would work even with a great script. Acting is pretty bad, to the point where it becomes weird. It is difficult to tell if agent Green is supposed to be a robot? Even main roles are executed so badly that mediocrity can only be an aspiration. Effects show a crumb of competence but with very little direction so the whole experience is more irksome than believable.
Defying Gravity (2009)
Science fiction as it should be
Defying Gravity is the best science fiction I have seen in many years. Perhaps most importantly, they've got the science right. The bit of conspiracy notwithstanding, it's a great show with realistic science, well developed characters and enough mystery to keep you wanting more. Visually rich and with beautiful photography Defying gravity is pure joy to watch. Perhaps one weak point is the 'bad guy' mission manager stereotype, but this serves really well for dramatic effect. The rumour is that the show won't run beyond current 13 episodes which would be hugely disappointing. Anyway, I've really enjoyed the show so far. Highly recommended.
District 9 (2009)
Gore, nonsense and disappointment
Very disappointed with this film. The plot defies logic. The script is clueless to the point that - if there wasn't so much blood and gore - the film would be in the realm of kids cartoons and not science fiction.
Acting is caricatural and only contributes to incredulity. Perhaps the incidental appearance of 60-ties-parody-acting gives a clue at the attempt at comedy, but this is again too far off the mark to be comedic in the circumstances of the plot.
Horror? Perhaps, but if so, a very bad one.
Complete waste of time.
W. (2008)
Good cinematography, difficult topic
It must have been hard. Telling a story of a guy you could have a beer with. Only the guy somehow gets to be the president. The times are hard and he is ill equipped to cope.
Acting remained away from self-consciousness and humor of the actual W. This helps us focus on events and personal journey through life and presidency. A good effort has been made to remain authentic with this bias. It can be argued that we can see more of the actual person without their mannerisms and affectations.
While W is willfully portrayed positively and without any cynicism, some people around him were not that lucky. However kind, the film only emphasizes W's unsuitability for the role and the weight of incompetence and shady interests in the Bush administration.
As this chapter of the history closes, we are left to pick up the pieces and pay the bill. Never forget that.