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Argylle (2024)
Two Halves Fall Short of a Whole
Right off the bat, I was genuinely surprised that I actually enjoyed the first act of this movie. It was a vibrant, over-the-top spy action comedy, like a cheeky punch to the stiff upper lip of 007-more colors, more flair, and definitely more eyebrow-raising acting.
But then, as if by magic-or perhaps a glaring lack of it-the movie took a nosedive. What started as a high-fun, octane escapade with snappy comebacks morphed into... well, something much less fun.
The film got caught in its own existential crisis, dragging us through endless scenes that aimed for deep emotional impact but landed more in the realm of 'why did they even do this?'
It's hard to pinpoint the main culprit, but it seems the movie was hell-bent on style over substance. I'm all for treating my eyes to something special, but when the style feels thrown together rather than carefully crafted, you have to wonder if anyone was really at the helm.
The misuse of the cast was criminal-so many talented actors reduced to mere extras in their own stories.
In the end, the movie was less 'the sum of its parts' and more 'I got lost in the shed,' unfortunately.
Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One (2023)
Stunts Shine in the too predictable 'Dead Reckoning
Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning" finds itself in that well-trodden territory of action flicks that dazzle more with explosive set pieces than with a compelling plot. The film labours under the weight of dialogue that is as wooden as a boardroom table, with scenes that overstay their welcome, akin to a never-ending maths class on what should be a lazy Sunday. The storyline is straightforward to the point of suspicion, possibly the brainchild of artificial intelligence, stuffed with enough absurdity and plotholes to pad out its runtime.
Yet, Tom Cruise remains the spark that keeps the film watchable if barely, his synergy with Simon Pegg and Ving Rhames injecting some much-needed vigour. However, Hayley Atwell's character tests one's patience; her repetitive betrayals wear thin, her eventual predictable turnaround as surprising as a rain forecast in London.
In a twist of irony, the most authentic thrill comes from a motorcycle stunt - a jaw-dropping moment of madness that Cruise, ever the showman, performs himself. It's this dedication to the craft that pulls the film back from the brink of being a total write-off, reminding us of the unique magic that only cinema can conjure.
Morbius (2022)
Split feelings
The story was really flat. The effects, makeup, theme and the acting was incredible. I can't put my finger on what is missing, but it's not on the actor's.
Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021)
Solid characters, weak story
My headline pretty much sas it all. I'm super invested in the characters, but the story was so weak. Also too many questions are open and unanswered.
Shame, I was really looking forward to it but I am a bit disappointed.
Candyman (2021)
Photo sensitive people watch out!
Come on - is flickering lights really the only story telling tool in the movie industry to add drama and urgency in this time and age?!
Another movie I can't watch the freaking ending!!
Chaos Walking (2021)
Great idea, mediocre execution
Loved the acting and the basic idea of the story, but the characters didn't get enough time to develop.
The Babysitter: Killer Queen (2020)
Good sequel
This is a great splatter movie, full of cliches and Super funny
Trolls World Tour (2020)
Where was the difference between genres?
What happened?! The humor is different - no clever jokes like in the first movie. The morals are all over the place, the heroine is more of a brat than ever and the stereotype of the other music genres are just insulting to each genre besides pop. The music chosen for each genre is also not representative for the different genres and who thought casting Rachel Bloom would be a brilliant idea for the second lead as Rock princes when all she seemed to have done are pop-parodies. I can't say anything about her acting qualities but she is not convincing as the queen of metal, rock or even pop-rock. The songs for each other genre then pop where butchers and instead of showing how beautiful all the different styles, cultures and people are, they made it sound sooo much alike. I'm more then disappointed.
Upgrade (2018)
Somewhat predictable but lots of fun
Though somewhat predictable but lots of fun finding out how it will happen
Extinction (2018)
Good moments, good idea, bad execution
The idea and the plot twist are really good, unfortunately the execution was less so
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (2008)
The story-line seemed to be ragged and pieced together and all seemed a more about the fighting scenes than about a storytelling...
I am greatly disappointed in this movie. Maybe partly to my expectations, but " Prince Caspian" lost all its charm and wonder to me. Maybe if yo would see it as a stand alone film it could hold up, but since it is a part of the first movie's story, it fails to engage me as the first movie did.
I liked that the characters got a bit more depth, but all side characters got neglected and seemed dull and uninteresting. For the mouse, the makers even 'borrowed' the character of Puss in Boots from 'Shrek'. The story-line seemed to be ragged and pieced together and overall this movie seems to be a portfolio for fighting scenes, rather than a well told story.
Yes Man (2008)
'Yes Man' surprised me with the internal struggle of a man that had to relearn living and loving himself and others.
Jim Carrey can be the funniest person on the globe or just an overacting wiredo, depending on the movie-plot I suppose. This time he definitely was funny.
In the beginning I thought this movie would be a copy of 'Liar Liar' where Carrey couldn't speak anything but the truth, even when he really didn't want to.
But 'Yes Man' surprised me with the internal struggle of a man that had to relearn living and loving himself and others.
The movie really makes you think and wish you had the guts to just use odd opportunities to enrich your life.
Rock of Ages (2012)
Though Cruise made for a good Axel Rose sort of Rock good, this was one of the worst movies I have ever seen.
Maybe I started watching this movie under the wrong assumptions. I didn't know that this was a musical production going Hollywood to start with, but in the Netherlands it was sold as a fun portrait of the 80's rock scene.
Well... though the songs reminded of that time, I was looking for the rock-part until the end of the movie. Every time an actor belts out a hit, you're reminded that the original, however cheesy, was better, rockier or more honest presented. Though the actors are not bad singers, it's way too clean, sweet, boyband-isch or pop-ish to be considered rock at all.
It reminds me of all the great fairy tales, that have been polished to something entirely different by Disney. Rock of ages also feels like it had a treatment in the censorship washing machine.
I am all for a good happy ending and also musicals are a bunch of fun, but if you try to portray a certain subculture you have to be careful to do it right. I am living and breathing Rock, though I am open towards other styles and views, but this movie feels like someone took my (metaphorical) balls, painted them pink and threw them in the blender.
And this is not only because of the music. The story-line was as hair raising as the washed out shadows of the great 80 hits. The makers explored side story just to have in every minority group possible, every lonely side character needed a partner and really EVERYBODY had to get the happy-ever-after option and didn't spend enough attention to detail for the main story.
Though Cruise made for a good Axel Rose sort of Rock good, this was one of the worst movies I have ever seen.
Alice in Wonderland (2010)
I really liked that Burton did not an interpretation of the old Alice film, but an adaption in later life of the girl.
I watched the movie in 3D. Burton is above all a brilliant visual artist, and his film is a pleasure to watch; I look forward to admiring it in 2-D, where it will look brighter and more colorful. I suspect that after Avatar any 3 D movie is a bit disappointing as such, though the skies and some of the backgrounds where in collaboration with Avatars Robert Stromberg.
Probably all the little details that I love so much about Burton are not visible, since the 3D technique forces your eye on certain points on the screen and the rest is just out of focus.
I really liked that Burton did not an interpretation of the old Alice film, but an adaption in later life of the girl.
Also the characters are very lovely and grotesque done. I am stunned again how Burtons wife as well as Jonny Depp can be adapted to be any wired or creepy thing that gets born in Burton's head.
My favorite character out of the original story was no disappointment. The chestershire cat might be less mysterious, but still quirky and this time he got a bigger part in the story. Not to forget the awesome graphics and the brilliant voice of Stephen Frey.