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Reviews
Special Ops: Lioness (2023)
Entertaining and Captivating
So lets clear the slate for the haters here. This is a TV series funded by a group of people for something they believed in.(thus the long producer list) Most TV series do not have a huge budget and serves as a stepping stone for up and coming talent. This is a prime example. This is a pretty good show, some premise of background material is a bit far fetched but where have we not seen this before? Give this show a chance before hating it. If you want major production values and acting in a one hour TV show, then I am sure they are willing to take your cash to add to that producer list to enhance their show, or better yet, watch something else.
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023)
Steven should of finished
This probably would of been a diffeerent film if Steven would of directed it. But he didn't and it shows. The visual effects took a huge budget cut as well as most of the CGI is cartoonish and unbelievable at best. Today"s film goers are very technical savvy and yes, this puts pressure on the studios to budget more for effects, but they just wanted this film done and released to the demise of the audience who loved the previous franchise films. Harrison deserved better at his age and it almost looked like a film he did for the paycheck and to hell with the results. Good plot, good acting, terrible post production (exception, John Williams score)
The Independent (2022)
A Lifetime style movie on steroids
A good movie thriller. Not a nail-biter, but good. Taking "All The President's Men" into a 2024 theme, the film again takes newspaper snooping and finds a snake. This time, the Republican party. The acting and production values leads you to believe your watching one of those fast turnaround Lifetime movies but it is a bit more refined. While picking on the Republicans, the film really does not make a political statement. This film is watchable but you need some open mind to tolerate it. It reminds us that Gen X is the future and old suiters are on the way out. It tells us that politics is and always will be untrustworthy and those with the most toys will try to win. Money buys power and power means well power. The Independent keeps you interested if you can overlook some bad acting, a few plotholes, and perhaps some far reaching theories that make you go "Really?"
Operation Seawolf (2022)
Oh so much potential, but....
This movie had so much potential to be good. God knows they tried with what cash they had to work with. As with most direct to streaming films, this one wastes Dolph's talents, of what he has left. The CGI is marginal and sadly, they really needed a WW2 technical advisor for German uniforms and U boats. They took an actual event then made the rest up. I like WW2 films, even fictional ones if the storyline is decent and the action is beleviable. That means Germans speak German, uniforms are authentic and ranks correct, and vehicles are period correct. This film blows all of this. Pass this one up.
The Gabby Petito Story (2022)
Terrible
As with all Lifetime movies, the goal is hire B list talent, spend under 20K, pray nobody knows anything about the real locations we substitute in California for because we are too cheap to travel to or research the real deal, and oh yea, write the script taking as many liberties we leagally can. As with sime others here, I grew up in Jackson Hole-GTNP area. I Knew the area well which was Gabby's final resting place. I am even am familar with the Utah locations having been there as well. This film butchered them both. You would think common sense would say at least use stock footage for establishing shots.
The Liberator (2020)
Good biop on the "Thunderbirds"
Having lived in Oklahoma and being aware of these guys from my Dad who served in WW2, I was anxious to see this series. Like others, I was a bit taken back by the animation style but understand the reasons and buget concerns. Well done series and it came alive with the cell layovers and animation twchniques. This series may not impress WW2 fans due to the style being used bur it was this or not finish it unless some studio stepped up and dropped millions for real props, soecial effects, and CGI which for a TV series, you will not see.
The Gray Man (2022)
Good action Flick!
Some reviews kind of stated same ol, same ol, but are not most action films just that? Shooting, car wrecks, blowing up stuff, pretty girls thrown in with ridiclous stunts. Well, welcome to copycat action thrillers. This film has all that and Billy Bob Thorton although his role is supporting. The plot is typical but the cast is good and the film carries well. I reccomend it. This is one of Netflix's better investments. There are some weak CGI segments and greenscreen work but not enough to ruin the film.
Vendetta (2022)
For Bruce fans, his last
A majority here are saying the movie stinks and while yes, it is your run of the mill revenge vigalante flick, there are some good moments. As with most of these low end productions, most of the budget goes to Willis for his salary, regardless if he only has 5 minutes of screen time. His name is starred so you are going to watch it. Sadly, you can tell Bruce is struggeling to deliver and remember his lines by the pauses and his blank expressions. But even then, we love you Bruce and this movie will probably be gem just for knowing this was Willis at the end if his career.
Disappearance in Yellowstone (2022)
Sooo bad.
First, growing up very close to Yellowstone, I really was expecting more. I Even tried to give the producers the benefit of the doubt that they could not shoot on location in Yellowstone due to budget constraints. But with all that said, this still turned out to be a crappy film and a poor sell of whatever they used to try and look like Yellowstone. The folage was off, the Park signs and Ranger uniforms were not even close. The town could of maybe fit for West Yellowstone, MT. Maybe. Stock footage of Old Faithful geyser, or Yellowstone Falls might have help sold the location but they did not even do that. Lastly, city and county law enforcement never ever do any murder or criminal investigations in a National Park. National Park Service law enforcement Rangers have jurastiction in all Federal National Park Boundaries. It would have been turned over to them. All these blunders ruined this film and turned what could have been somewhat of a watchable film into a technical diaster. They did no research on this film and it showed.
The Man from Toronto (2022)
Watchable, but typical
Film vehicle for Kevin to do his stuff and his humor but it lacks any real cinema pazazz. Woody is wasted as a co-star with familar gangster thug lines and dialouge.
Hot Seat (2022)
Such great potential, but so predictable
First Sharon and Mel are wasted talent in this film. Mel is getting up there in age and maybe he is at the point in his career like Bruce Willis was that you take what is given to your agent. As for Sharon, well, what can you say about Sharon except she is Sharon. The film had potential but sold itself out after the first 30 minutes. A 4th grader could of seen what was coming next.
The Ledge (2022)
Predictable, but watchable
As with most low budget films, the more you can shoot outdoors on location, the more money you can save. This film incorporates young talent, action, and fixed exteriors but it keeps a good flow going. The producers knew going in this woyld be a straight to streaming video but they should recoup their investment.
Wolf Hound (2022)
Historically somewhat accurate.
OK, again one makes films with what one gets for a budget. As a indie filmmaker myself, a lot of these armchair critics want Steven Spielberg productions out of a small budget and A list actors to go with it. This movie was watchable and entertaining. Germans speaking English throughout when conversing with each other was a bit unrealistic and some of the uniforms were improperly matched but overall, a good film. For those of who complain, go produce your own film and see how you do.
Spitfire Over Berlin (2022)
You work with what you got
Being a indie film producer myself, I admire that this team at least got distribution on this. In today's very critical audience (you can see by the rude comments here) either you have at the very least, a 2 million dollar budget, or don't film. This film might have fared better just doing film festivals and maybe getting a streaming service to pickup. The storyline is good, but yes, today's sophisicated audience is brutal if you are not using Hollywood "Industrial Light & Magic" level CGI as they can tell. It is sad and if this was released back in the 60's or early 70's, it might have gotten a pass. I admire the filmmaker for working with what budget he had, and who knows, he might make his investment back and thats all that is important. Critics may gripe, but at least they paid to watch it somehow and that is all the investors care about.
17 Miracles (2011)
Good flick
I am a bit shocked and surprised by some of the reviews here. Seriously if you did not know this was a religious movie by the title and tag line then why continue watching it? I am not LDS but growing up in N. W. Wyoming with a strong presence of Mormons, I am quite familar with their faith. This is a well done western-biography style film. It covers with some liberties the hardships the early Mormon pioneers went through. You don't have to be LDS to enjoy the film but knowing their religion and early practices helps. Bottom line, if you don't like religious films, don't watch it. If you have issues with the Mormon faith, don't watch it. To watch this film to simply spew a dislike of Mormons is childish and immature. Yes it was made by LDS by support of the LDS, but as a indie film priducer myself, it was well made.
The Murder of Gabby Petito: Truth, Lies and Social Media (2021)
SO SO
First, I grew up in Jackson Hole and was familar of the exact location where Gabby was found. My pet peeve throughout this documentry was the idiot social media peeps and the idiot media standing outside the home playing armchair detective. They along with these social media vlogers simply wanted followers, their likes, their 15 minutes of fame as most jouranalists do. I will concede the YouTube video of Gabby's van being spotted at the campsite was a major breakthrough but the family never grandstaned their video like these moronic Tic-tokers. Oh it is Grand Teeeeton, not Grand Teeeeten. Pronounce the park correctly or don't say it. I am personally sick and tired of social media people pkaying like they are experts on everything.
Masquerade (2021)
Watchable Thriller
With indie small budget full feature films getting easier to produce and getting distribution thanks to streaming, this film is not bad. You have a unkown cast as with most low budget shoots like this but you have to get over that and just enjoy that. I see too many arm chair critics wanting A list actors and MGM-Universal Studio level production values. Move on then. This you will not find. Up and coming indie productions like this are meant to entertain you as you pass the the time, not waiting for the oscars.
Catch the Bullet (2021)
OK film
I read some if the reviews here and while I agree it is low budget with a so-so script, it was not all that bad. I have TV westerns with worse. If you are expecting a huge A list big budget Hollywood film, then yea, you will be sorely disapointed. This was shot on video to digital for streaming. They never intended theatrical profits. Shot with a drone mostly and a couple of digital units it looks like. Staying on a ranch using their property saved money. Seeing a lot of tire tracks right where they shot was poor judgement on the crew. Still a watchable movie.
Was.
Twas the Night (2021)
Cute Holiday Movie
This is a cute holiday movie to watch with older pre-tweens or above. While the plot is kind of mish-mash, the film is not bad. You can tell it is low budget but filmed very well. The acting is not bad considering your not dealing with A-list talent here. My only critisism is it does not flow very smoothy. It like has a good scene going then quickly slows down jumping to another scene. Your left going, "Thats it?" For it's few faults, this is another holiday film to add to your collection along with "Home Alone", "Bad Santa", and "Christmas Vacation". Funny in spots, the cast jells well together, and Savannah, GA. Looks pretty doubling for a New England city.
The Harder They Fall (2021)
Black and no white Cowboys. Say Whaat?
The western is overall well done featuring an all black cast. The disapointment is modern music with a urban-sound and language, along with cursing that is not indicative of the early 1800s. A few have said this film might have been an attempt to pay homage to black 70s films so I will cut a bit of slack here. The plot is a bit weak and the violence is modetate. The acting is so-so. Watchable for a streaming flick.
Apex (2021)
Poor Bruce
Bruce has to pay his bills I guess so he now cranks out staight to DVD or streaming crap as fast as he can. Getting old as an actor is no fun for anyone, but here we are. The film is watchable but Bruce basicly reads his lines with no emotion. It is "Get me out of here and send me my paycheck!" Style of acting. The visual effects are college level and the supporting talent are there to get their demo reel resume.
Horizon Line (2020)
OK film with a couple of brewskies in hand
If you are looking to watch something with a couple of beers by your side, this film is OK. I know they dumped some bucks into special effects and the aircraft so for that, I give them credit. The storyline however is way out there and sadly too far fetched. The talent gave it their best shot. Others have blamed bad acting but being involved in film work myself, you can not always blame the talent. You blame the script they are handed and the director directing them. This had the potential to be a better film than it was. Putting in unrealistic situations and rushed character development in favor of far fetched action destoyed this movie for a better score.
Hunters (2020)
Good series, takes liberties with history
While this is a good series, it takes a lot of liberal liberties with history. The acting is fair and if you can stand all the nods to Quentin Tarantino, then you will love Hunters. From the Nun's outfit to the silly ethnic comedic inserts, you see the really out-of-their-way production nods to make Quentin's work duplicated here. One thing that does not make any sense is casting mid 40's and early 50 something actors as "old" relocated Germans. Although set in 1977. anyone doing math can see that when the Nazi characters in their younger Hitler SS days, are in their mid to latter 20's early 30's at best. That would make them in their mid to latter 60's if they were actually the young officers during WW2. Dylan Baker as Biff looks way too young. Christian Oliver I will give a pass. He could pass for mid 60's if he was a 20 something doctor then at Auschwitz.Carol Kane looks her 1977 age as does Pacino. If you are not a stickler for details then the Hunters is a fun show to watch with it's black humor, gore, and some liberties with the Operation Paperclip
Madam Secretary (2014)
Love to see season 6 but.....
I love this show but have to agree with others here that the writers have caved in to the typical Hollywood political B.S. Go back to the 3rd season and before story lines and wuit using the show as a political theatre. This is what is causing the ratings slide. Bring back the action and excitement you had in seasons 1, 2, and 3. If CBS gives you another season, remember how you got there and give your fans what they want. Not what you or the Hollywood dem political hacks want.
War Raiders (2018)
Filmed on Billy Bob's farm with his relatives?
Sadly, I echo the rest of the reviews here. As a film producer and director myself, this film while the storyline was at least decent, the rest of the film looks like Jr. High students got together for a weekend film shoot and edited it on free smart phone software. No color correction, various audio sync issues, terrible effects, an obvious plastic remote control tank, should I go on? How this got into distribution is amazing. The film's title marketing poster is sooo misleading. At the very least, a military advisor and time spent on authentic era WW2 wardrobe should of been done. Re-enactors love this stuff and would of helped to save some of this. Good films can be made on low or no budget including digital effects if you know what your doing and have an experienced crew and talent who will work for little or no pay and believe in your film. I have done it myself. Sadly, I don't think anyone on this film did. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry watching this. I really feel sorry for the entire crew and talent. The script had potential but as soon as the word action was said, this picture was doomed.