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Reviews
Mission Pluto (2015)
Unfortunately Mediocre.
I understand that this was made for a general audience with no background in science or physics, but it's just too dumbed down at some points. It would have been much better with a different host/narrator. The segments with the NASA Scientists are fine, but Jason Silva was getting on my nerves. Why they need to include him on screen at all is beyond me. He kept giving really watered down explanations or everything and making stupid comments.
Don't Look Now (1973)
Just read the story instead.
I had such high hopes for this movie as I love the Daphne Du Maurier story it is based on, but it's just falls flat. The movie is stretched out way too long and it quickly becomes tedious. It likely didn't help that I already knew what happens in the story, and unlike the story there is no creepy atmosphere or foreboding sense of dread. Also the main characters just got on my nerves so quickly it was a chore to continue watching until the end.
The Canterville Ghost (1944)
Cute film, not what I was expecting.
It's a good little ghost story, but disappointing if your expecting a movie more closely based on Oscar Wilde's story. The original story is a clever satire with a much more interesting reason for the ghost being trapped in the house. The basic frame of the story remains, but it's been made family friendly and polished up to be a feel good film that won't offend anyone. That said it is a good funny ghost story, and not scary so you can watch it with your kids.
The Haunting (1963)
Good movie, but nothing spectacular.
I'm a huge fan of ghosts stories and have read the Shirley Jackson novel this movie is based upon. I was really excited when I happened to see this movie would be on tv, as it has been on my watchlist for years. Unfortunately for me the movie didn't live up to the hype. It's a good film that is a very close adaption of the novel, but I didn't find it scary, and it's certainly not the best haunted house movie I've ever seen. I'm wondering if having read the novel spoiled the movie for me. I knew the basic story and ending, so there was no surprise or shock for me. I'm also not very fond of the main character Eleanor, I don't think the reader/ audience is supposed to be, but her portrayal in this movie was especially grating. Overall it's good film and if your looking for a non scary ghost story to watch on a dreary afternoon I recommend it. Just don't watch this movie expecting to be terrified at all.
Into the Dark: The Body (2018)
Stupid and not even scary.
The Body is such a chaotic mess.
It's a shame because the basic premise could have been clever and even darkly comical. Instead the plot is filled with stupid characters getting into unrealistic situations. Honestly I'm sorry I watched it all the way through.
The Dead Zone (1983)
Strong start, then it fizzled out.
I've never read the Stephan King novel "The Dead Zone" is based on, I don't know if that would have made a difference in how I perceived this movie. I'm left wondering if watching this movie as an adaptation of the novel somehow enhances the film, and maybe it's just not a strong piece on its own without that background knowledge. The first hour of starts out very strong and it felt like it was slowly building itself into a dark thriller. The problem is this movie is all over the place, seemingly jumping from one underdeveloped story line to another. Honestly it would have been much more interesting if the story line of Johnny helping the police had gone on longer and was more fleshed out. While the plot is erratic, the tone and pace of the movie never change making it feel painfully slow and disjointed. The movie is disappointing as it had so much potential to be truly amazing.
Inspector Morse: The Day of the Devil (1993)
The worst Inspector Morse episode.
This is the worst episode of Inspector Morse, if not one the worst television episodes I'v ever seen. The whole episode is full of stereotypes of satanists, with all the ridiculous fodder you'd expect in tv episode featuring satanic cults. All of the characters were despicable, the only person I felt any sympathy for was the poor cat. The plot was incredibly far fetched, and the pacing of the episode was so slow it was painful. Basically a dangerous perverted sexual predator escapes from prison and nothing of consequence happens for the first hour. As if the plot wasn't already unbelievable, the escaped convict them goes around wearing ridiculous disguises. I actually laughed really hard at the scene where he attacked the stannic coven while wearing a baphomet costume. Then we are supposed to believe the coven members really believed he was the devil. Apparently this episode wasn't offensive enough yet so they had him dress drag for when he gets shot, twice. Avoid this episode at all costs, unless you need a laugh.