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The Crown: Ruritania (2023)
Heavy is The Crown
A master class synopsis of politics, british life and the monarchy!
History comes alive with the modern struggle between parliament and crown. The fine balance of tradition and constituent expectation is played out for the small screen by larger than life characters who play their part perfectly.
Thanks to the producers for such care with the script and casting. The locations and production values give us a real fly on the wall feel.
The fact that such ancient traditions can be sold and to the British peoples at home and abroad is a huge testimony to the quality of their forefathers despite the mixed history.
The Blair phenom was quickly resolved with the fickle nature of politics and such a great contrast to the continuity of the English crown.
The crown must always win & it does again here.
Suits: Revenue Per Square Foot (2018)
LOW BILLABLES ON THIS EPISODE
Great season, average episode....
- No plot of how Alex solved the high drama. The bromance with Harvey is way too heavy and unbelievable which is rare in this well played out series.
- Girl power wokeism, Samantha remains Captain Marvel & Louis takes street fighting class already.
- Donna's magic wand charm is getting old.
- Louis & Katrina chemistry needs to come back asap.
Zain sets up some future conflict about the managing partner's role which is great. The score hits at the right places and the series lives on but after so much good writing preceding this its a bit of contrast that can't be avoided.
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023)
What important is the Nazi's keep losing
No reviews have bothered to mention how well they actually replicated the battle of Syracuse. If you read original source documents of what a phenom Archimedes was, he invented weapons that repelled the entire roman empire...
"As long as he was present, they did not venture even to attempt to attack in that fashion in which the ability of Archimedes could be used in the defence."
The John Williams score, the nostalgic hat, whip and leather jacket.
Warm hearted comeos of Indi actors we haven't seen for decades.
Action sequences we used to expect from studio blockbusters, not netflix tv specials.
Cinematography that was gorgeous and period backdrops to suit.
Yes the female lead was a bit disconjointed with a 2.5hr film you'd expect more of a thoughtful arc. Instead she seems to go from zero to hero a few times.
If youre going to make that much money, get the foreign language pronunciation correct.
The Speilberg Lucas magic isnt there but still enjoyable.
7/10
+1 because you can do that with franchises from the open credits that take u back to glory.
Love (2016)
Dork get the cute girl...
To make it even more simple, shes broken, has dependency and substance issues...
Because an anemic looking teacher couldn't be any more cliché in a story that just limps along.
But don't worry he's redeemed from time to time because he like knows how to shag.
Netflix and all the rest of the streamers should consider getting absorbed by the big studios because the small subscription and AVOD productions are not churning out good content.
As a writer I also dont know why people are desperate to be in the room, the majority of the work out there is regrettable and will be forgotten quickly.
On a final note, both leads are very 1 dimensional caricatures of LA and the supporting crew don't deliver in the slightest. I hate being this critical but why did this go to a 3rd season?
I used to love the idea of democratizing the film industry but I was wrong. Give us back the bigwigs in their lofty towers.
Bombshell (2019)
"People Stop watching when there isnt Conflict"
The writers miscalculated the Kayla character who is seen leaving her place of employment in some empowered strut out the door....when the details of her legacy is just another naïve girl who submitted to the career shortcut.
It almost looks like as soon as Kayla's meal ticket left the building...so did she. She otherwise looked set to continue on her climb up the greasy pole of ambition...
Ambition could have been a trope to give this film depth but the whole piece is shallow. Many entertaining moments occur though, especially in the busy Fox news lair and the office politics.
We also don't learn to hate Roger enough, he is given plenty of human moments in a confusing moral story. The timing getting this out is not lost on us. If its a good script producers should get it out, dont wait for a political opportunity that causes half your audience to raise eyebrows. An expose about FOX was always going to be a commercial success.
The lesbian B plot was irrelevant and didnt cause the story to move forward. Fox has moderates and establishment people across the world. Murdoch likewise employs lots of Lefties in Australia. What were you really trying to say?
Its the the information ecosystem & the news media that is the greater issue. It could have been explored in this piece that went very activist in its approach in the final act.
We understand we need information in order to vote but advertising money calls the shots and they only play with networks that rate. Maybe is true enough that dumbed down male audiences will flock to a station with leg appeal maybe its us that's collectively the problem.
Gretchen got justice for being fired for no good reason but Megan Kelly didn't really play out well, we all know she came out second best with Trump, but the story quickly transitions to someone who wasn't raped or abused, she was put in an awkward position by a creepy old man but refused him and went to score a show anyway. Why did she have so much vigor 10years later to help prosecute Rogers reputation? Those not deep in US politics wont really get it.
Wether she enabled or perpetuated a culture is another question.
Decent but mishandled story overall.
Side note, Mudochs sons in their tiny role did a great lookalike job.
What If It Works? (2017)
It WORKS but not well
There are some sweet moments and powerful acting sequences, but they are few.
There is still a warmth that culminates in a cliché ending that makes an aussie film worth the watch and I enjoy all romances, but in comparison to other films in its genre this piece was without much depth.
Hate to be overly critical but when you make to it the screen you're competing with the big players whether you have budget or not, the viewers expectations is the commercial reality.
Having that many personality disorders is a fairly fresh concept, that could have been worked through more.
The worst part is for us that have been in the system and seen these disorders up close.....it's not the stuff that entertaining movies are made of....to say the least.
And of course the elephant in the room is that its a pale imitation of Silver Linings who direct traffic which much more subtlety and grace.
Curious to know if the drag queens were slipped in there for diversity sake? The ethnic video dance guy did not push the story forward in anyway but was merely a hook to bring them back into the final Act. A real waste of story telling space.
The female lead could do great justice to something similar, hope to see it tried again.
On a side note, Netflix is really giving us a plethora of B grade movies, don't upscale ratings based on the feel good vibe of your hometown or that you liked an actor in other roles. Everyone's time is too valuable to not share the truth.
Carlito's Way (1993)
Dance in Bahama's
Better than the Godfather, packaged in a format that you can watch in one sitting.
It's logical and sequential for those unfamiliar with the streets or the genre.
Everyone gets their dues, justice is served and the moral message is made obvious in a satisfying way, despite the sad ending.
The plot twist in the last scene is one of the greatest setups I can remember.
Most importantly nobody walks away from this film glorifying the lifestyle as is the case in many other iconic films with similar big characters.
The love story is believable and the support case is a series of powerful performances.
If you loved Scarface you'll love this.
Don't let the voice over distract you, its works ok.
Everyone wants to dance on a tropical island with the one they love, chasing the money always seems to make people die prematurely. Art imitates life so well in this picture.
Jexi (2019)
Half Charge
Creatively dirty mind of a writer that somehow made an AI script work.
Speaks to 24-36yo bracket of people over reliant on their phones and tries to pull of a romcom--
There was no real character arcs, she falls for him with little rhyme or reason. She stays with him without cause.
There are some funny sequences with some good acting but its overall a shallow piece.
The full frontal D pic was unnecessary.
The dork trope was well played.
Nobody said making a romcom was easy when they have all been made.
Well cast, nobody was out of place.
Some very nice photography.
Instead of the ex interruption a longer build up of hostility with Jexi might have created a better third act.
Adam Devine is very underrated and underemployed in hollywood.
The Batman (2022)
AND WHERE AND WHERE IS, THE BATMAN
Because I didn't quite see the one I recognise and the fans have been conditioned to love in this iteration. I did like the detective focus he was given but here's a shortlist of the following dealbreakers...
Thumping steps in the opening fight sequence by someone supposed to be a ninja made no sense.
The costume and batcave on first appearance looked like a downgrade.
Leaving makeup on when home didnt feel right, the stoic demeanor wasn't there, it all felt like a real departure from what we know.
Moves slow for the genre. An indulgent 3hr picture is not what most viewers can handle.
Questionable PG rating, I probably wouldn't want my young kids watching amputations and blunt force trauma.
Not much differentiation from alter ego, Bruce is still in Batman mode.
Since when is batman afraid of heights? The wingsuit appeared to be his first trip flying. Is he an experience superhero or just in apprentice mode? We're past this phase of the franchise.
Didn't forget the modern wokeisms in the script. Just go away and let writers tell the correct story.
The narration which is prevalent is lazy and takes us out of the action
The score lacked originality and was assisted by Nirvana which was a surprise. It worked but the popularity of the track was jarring....big blockbusters, big characters, big ideas must have their own music which is taken as seriously as the motion picture itself.
The photography tried too hard, it had its beautiful moments but played out like a serious of B roll shot by an advertising exec. Nolan's crew can't be compared to.
I did love the Penguin which I felt was spot on.
Overall a fair critique and disappointment, especially in consideration that it had a very similar budget to the Dark Knight.
Yip Man 4 (2019)
I'll miss you Wing Chun doll.
Kungfu genre is a very old and special form of story telling. We've been conditioned for decades to appreciate the difficult journey of overcoming injustice with craft and skill. Bringing newness to a predictable genre is the genius of a great kungfu film.
I love IP man but our white culture warriors seem to have made their way into the hearts of Chinese producers and screenwriters.
I've never used the word woke in a review but when western liberal thought enters a script that's meant to be eastern then you know the film world has lost it.
IP man winning the day is what we keep coming back for, to try and bring modern day politics into a narrative that has no semblance of fitting is more than a mistake.
Very cringe dialogue appears on the page as a result. We attempt to overlook it with an original and moving score but not even that is enough of a distraction.
There is no character arc for the marine being a skilled martial artist.
The monologues about victors proving cultural superiority is juvenile.
All the subplots went nowhere and appeared just to drag the story forward.
The racial minority and under dog is not played out well when you consider the totalitarian regime and humanitarian abuses in China.
Overall a disappointing finale but don't worry it wasn't anyone's fault.
Luckiest Girl Alive (2022)
NETFLUX
The derivative effects of abuse are remarkably portrayed, a huge scope of emotions from the lead are nicely done.
The trauma brings you genuinely into the story, the dynamic between mother, friends and teachers is very believable.
Every Act being peppered with flashbacks is a superb tool reminiscent of Slumdog which also brought us head to head with the empathy the filmmakers were mining for. I congratulate the crew for getting the vision onto screen.
Having said all that there comes a point where you realize that this piece is trying to do more than provide some catharsis...
The story felt like it was pushing an agenda with multiple sequences that were forced, overstated or clearly on the nose. It wasn't surprising to find out later the writer shares some of the trauma. I hope she gets proper care because a self indulgent film isn't therapy, it's rage that remains in control of ones life. I also say this from personal experience.
In the writers own words: she's a control freak with issues. Its a credit to her that this movie got made, such high-mindedness would never be accepted in the studio system.
There was no serious plot, twists, character arcs or anything you would expect while working the script for 5 years. The documentary style outro just goes on and on in a juvenile way.
It's my view that the big screen is predominantly an entertainment-business. The original novel may have been better in the hands of a lobbyist who pushed it into state school curriculum for English lit where the themes could be slowly and methodically teased out in a way that is worthy.
All the complexities and nuances of rape and its fallout cannot be put onto a 90min canvass.
The era of low budget Netflix content is going to be here for awhile and there's only so many activists you can digest at once.
The Dry (2020)
Dry you eyes
Having Eric's fingerprints all over this piece is telling. A slowing moving drama that ducks and weaves in the places a real thriller should. When you add the very unique Australian feel it becomes even more believable.
Eric has zero problem transitioning back into a knock about Aussie in a way that can't be faked.
The support cast are all excellent. None of them take me out of the story as can sometimes happen on lower budget local films.
The score does a great job matching our emotions.
The book adaptation is a consistent winning formula and obviously gave everyone confidence.
The plot twists were just enough to keep us up in our seats.
The script does really well to present new motives and suspects. From business and love interests to a complicated fraud....human nature does not escape the easy going country town.
Maybe an extra scene to sell the idea of Falk as an accomplished Fed might have helped in the beginning.
The ending was a real heart wrencher and gave it a good clean close even though most of us probably wanted to see more.
Dragging modern viewers along for 2hrs is risky biz but nothing is really wasted. Even the excess flashbacks do a good job of leading us in the wrong direction - when we pass the mid point, it really becomes a whodunit.
Production values usually associated with local projects not evident, thanks to the exec producers who found the money to get it done properly.
I Give It a Year (2013)
Give it 10 Minutes
The opening sequence feels like were at the midpoint already.
There wasn't adequate subtext or character development for us to have real empathy with a loveless relationship.
The concept of finding someone you're ultimately a match with is unremarkable.
The no social filter character is not funny despite the attempt of witty dialogue.
The scenes are all a snapshot of a self absorbed culture we live in, not a thoughtful/provoking piece of story telling.
The tits and bums are just there for a boring night in with Netflix.
The single moment where Mimmie Drivers character gave a contrast about rising above human nature was a lost opportunity.
Look Both Ways (2022)
Look the other way
Unsophisticated romance that plays out like the diary of a twenty something writer/artist.
I like the fact the script pursues the narrative that a working professional can juggle family life.
Secondary characters/relationships felt inserted with little build up....
The scene where the drummer dad has a new girl and appears hard done by but then genuinely happy.
The lesbian scenes appear just for the sake of it.
On the nose cliche writers advice & B grade music transitions that feel like an internet movie.
Running away from an uncomfortable party is just the cherry on the cake of a generation of millennials that have no resilience.
This plot, characters and shallow drama don't give the actors much hope.
The split story lines have been done so many times before and on this occasion not as well. If you're going to borrow a concept it can only be done if it's improved upon.
First Reformed (2017)
Unreformed Hollywood
It's an utter shame when well meaning viewers give every genre a try, even when cliché tropes are seen in the trailer.
The fact that it received an academy nomination is in itself a testament to the sound bubble that writers and judges live in.
If you were to take a survey of the Catholic Church and a rogue priests ability to be convinced of a social to this extent it might not even register beyond a decimal point, but this is the story that was chosen for production.
I'm NOT catholic if anything I have reason to be angry with them but the level of bigotry against Catholicism in Hollywood is nauseating.
The character arc from sober minded conservative to spaced out activist prepared to traumatize his congregation with self mutilation is ridiculous.
Showing the exploded brains of the suicide victim is a cheap visual. There was an opportunity to show the inner turmoil which wasn't taken.
Overall the level of preaching both for and against the cause was immature, even though the writer tried to be balanced.
This film is a fail and probably deserves a 3 but I'm downranking it to 1 based on the irrational eco fascists' that are not giving this film a fair critique.
Those that viewed this in the cinema know the truth, that the general public thought this piece was horrible.
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010)
You know what sucks...
EVERYTHING
Another script that somehow is attempting to draw a gamer cult audience of weirdos.
Niche fantasy-animation genre smash with film noire elements wrapped up in a romance centric plot.
I'm not sure what world these cult followings fans live in when they can empathize will surreal characters just because they are quirky and fun. I can only surmise that the high rating is attributable to a huge number of teenagers.
So tired of these lazy and stupid scripts where logic doesn't have to apply and the world created has few boundaries and rules.
Don't press play. Even if your Netflix is running low on left over content.
Gifted (2017)
A father's heart WINS the day
While the child genius trope is over done, this was executed well. If it weren't for a great sub plot which explored themes about family, loyalty, greed, betrayal, child rearing then it might have been another formulaic script.
Child actress really shines in the role.
The child birth sequence will melt the stoniest of hearts. She's clearly had great training/direction or both on this film.
Deep down everyone needs to be wanted.
The production was of a tiny budget for Hollywood standards and still a great story was churned out.
As many line producers have said, you just dont know what you're going to get until the final edit is consumed and digested.
The scene about Justin's art project while touching wasn't believable, even genius children dont instantly have emotional intelligence to that extent yet. There could have been another was to express the idea rather than use dialogue.
Hillbilly Elegy (2020)
Hillbilly's
Mix themes of family, aspiration, grit, determination and you get a moral tale that's as old as time...
Those real figures in everyday suburbs of America that are lower-middle class, the forgotten people who generally dont inspire movie producers.
A new age of cinema has been born in my opinion, it doesn't have to be a great epic to start something new in Hollywood.
It is the stylized biopic of less than hero's who overcome adversary which makes them real to life warriors.
Some great heartbreaking sequences of southern life, universal obstacles to overcome and a feel good outcome which lifts people up is just what viewers need in 2020.
In filmschool we get taught to torture the girl - create a crescendo of hostility and Ron Howard sure did deliver.
The amount of flashbacks was questionable and perhaps took us out of the moment too often but it all works.
Casting was good but not perfect, more experience could have made this a classic but the score covered all sins like only Hans Zimmer can.
Those critics trying to offer us a political dissertation from the book and movie adaptation need to get over then own biases, few of us care.
Mosul (2019)
Locals disagree
I won't make many new friends with this review...
I understand how many of you want to love this film for its honesty and gripping gun battles but taking you to a one dimensional emotional peak isn't deep story telling. Real life events so recent in many survivors minds shouldn't be for the pleasures of a western audience.
If something with the title Mosul was to be attempted from a proper perspective the flood of refugees and the problems created in the region had to be told. The political context needed some exposition. The ideology of the enemy needed to inform the discretion of the viewer. And so many other sub-plots during the reign of ISIS. Viewers instead are unfairly giving this a 10 for the heart wrenching loss of life and emotional anguish.
American contributions and losses are overlooked entirely and that's ok if it is a story about Iraqi factions coming together but a stylized attrition of the team as they got gunned down and a better researched ending as to who made it out might have worked better.
I keep hearing the word documentary, its no such thing if so many components of the story, region, time, people are missing - its the POV view of one team of ex police through the lens of a journalist.
A great tragedy when unknown and forgotten people die over a desolate wasteland. This story should be told again, another way.
Still worth watching.
The Crown: War (2020)
The Crown must always Win...
This season finale is evidence that while the stability of the Monarchy was paramount the associated costs are tremendous...
An age of cinematic TV is with us!
Featurettes of Maggie Thatcher's moment of disloyalty coupled with the once again abandonment of a little boy destined to be in the public service set's us up for a monumental subplot, which serves Princess Dianna both of the same.
The writers of this episode of WAR are part of a very skilled production which is the new standard for biopics. The royals won't be happy but society will be all the better for this sophisticated moral tale.
The shy sheepish countenance of the Princess is played perfectly and puts us right in the moment. The cultural junctures that spanned the globe like those in NYC hospital's turned her into an icon without malicious premeditation. It's a crying shame those plethora of advisors in Buckingham palace or Highgrove couldn't convince Charles to leverage it for his own good and the nation's.
I've been scathing of the Prince of Wales in other reviews but I guess the metaphor with William at the top of the episode forces us to be slightly more introspective, he did in fact inherit traits like a lack of warmth. It's ironic that where Dianna seemed to fill the void and remedy the problem, the burden of the Crown was too heavy...
Elizabeth on the inspiration of past Monarchs made sacrifices in earlier seasons that were made clear to the uninitiated to ensure stability and that is the price handed down and the inheritance received. The British peoples should be thankful that European style revolutions didn't come to pass. A small price to pay in comparison.
No matter how good a Republic, people need an idea to aspire to, quite often encapsulated in a leader. The people sure did love Di. The world tours and anecdotes came to life. Most people live uncomplicated lives, having this system embodied seems to have worked for over 1000 years - What would Alfred the Great think today? Would he pity the pending future of the Anglosphere with a figure head that is on the nose?
I'm disappointed, where we are left, this could have turned into 2 episodes. The plot points during the coup against Thatcher did not advance clearly enough. Such an interesting historical figure had much more to offer this series & a crescendo of emotion could have filled a sequence of Dianna pushing herself down a flight of stairs while pregnant, after finding out Camilla was still on the scene.
The veiled threat by Prince Phillip could be argued as a step too far but there is no clear rendering that can be made, it is cleverly left up to the audience to decide.
We waited all season for the Queen to give her son a dressing down and it was satisfying but alas, despite how merciful one can be in their overall judgements, anyone with affection in their heart for what's left of Great Britain hopes that succession jumps to William. Someone with the warmth of the Queen Consort that should of been, but never was.
As we speak, commentators and journalists are not shutting up about this season of the Crown, even at the far ends of the commonwealth. Season five must come quickly for the golden age of subscription TV.
Thanks for a great ride x
Roman J. Israel, Esq. (2017)
You Stand On His Shoulders
Justice is hard won, which shouldn't be the case but that message is clear form the beginning, a great premise and great character which set up a great story in Act 1 that unfortunately fell flat.
Slow paced sequences many of which were already cut from the original script, I wish the studios passed this around a little longer because this film had the potential to really hit, but just like Roman J. Israel say's potential is a b*tch.
Many nice moments, with a very quick synopsis of the frailties and imperfections of the American legal system but so many opportunities were overlooked...
The scene with the young activists could have been a moment for experience to triumph over impetuous youth.
More sequences of the evolution of the landmark class action which went nowhere but merely eluded to.
More moments of brilliance where his skill was leveraged.
Nevertheless, once again Denzel shines and pulls off something worth watching. With the amount of amazing personal stories in the legal profession there really should never be any excuse for something boring which is why legal drama is some of the most produced work in Hollywood.
The Beach Bum (2019)
Bummer
A superb testament to excellent producers and agents that were actually able to convince well established actors onto this woeful script.
Self indulgent living with very little plot that comes out like a series of videos by a playboy is meant for Youtube not the big-screen.
If it was meant to be ridiculous it had to be very funny and it didn't deliver at all.
I really think this could be the worst film on Netflix currently.
Spider-Man: Far from Home (2019)
Peter Tingle
The conflict was not believable outside of the Stark Tech, but even then are we really meant to believe a billion dollar star wars machine didn't have a redundancy not to kill the appointed chief administrator of it?
Not much of a build up or reinforcement about Spider Man's quality of a 6th sense. The nostalgia here could of been played up, that was an opportunity clearly missed, that action became the focal point of the resolution of the final act in the movie.
The jokes didn't land and the script reads like it was written for tweens when the largest portion of the fanbase is now 30s to 40s
In Marvel fashion we are given a new unresolved setup in the end credits for a glimpse of the next episode in the franchise series. Rest assured it will make a tonne of money no matter how bad it is. People will eventually tire of this model and I look forward to the day. A Dark Knight rises premise is given, the people will turn on Spiderman for awhile....cumon new ideas please! You are a billion dollar studio.
The last few minutes was the only truely enjoyable moment where Peter lands the girl and takes her on a joy ride. Finally a good resolution to a strong character arc.
Would have loved to see more of the iron man style retractable suit, imagine if Spiderman's natural strength was magnified with this. He could be hulk like.
Amy (2015)
Who Killed Amy?
If you want your heart smashed into a thousand pieces watch AMY - if you're a film buff that expects high production values that's not what is intended here, it's the vast collation of archival footage to give us a glimpse into the time bomb that becomes an addicts life.
Unknowingly the contributors to this film have saved many untold lives from a similar fate, there is nothing like the cult of celebrity to send a moral message to the world. I've spoken with Amy's best friend Jules Ashby to give her a testimony of at least one live touched by the way she brought the story to a climax and what more could we all ask for from story telling. Just magical.
While it may not have been the intention of Mitch Winehouse to hurt his daughter he clearly in the post mortem of interviews has no concept of what an absentee father does to a tween. It doesn't take a clever edit to observe that he created his own revenue stream from his daughter later in life which many other celeb fathers have done....this would have been ok if he was present before, not just after. Her behavior and choice of men as an adult is reflective of the insecurities she developed as a child. Combine this with wealth and fame and you have a perfect storm in waiting.
The score in the style of the Senna documentary heightens emotions perfectly and create an experience that will linger in your soul for a long time.
Amy was gifted with genre specific genius and a unique contemporary sound. When her own pain was added to musical notation she spawned believers and sympathizers across the world that would come to worship the singer regardless of how flawed and marked for death she was.
We killed Amy.
Pulp Fiction (1994)
Pulp Pulp
Witty dialogue about nothing that doesn't play into other scenes is what first time writers do.
WTF is wrong with all you people.
The Action lines in the screenplay don't reflect the good performances of the actors in Pulp Fiction.
WTF is wrong with all you people.
The sensationalised violence is as we all soon discovered, cliched. A cheap device for quick attention and a cult following.
WTF is wrong with all you people.
A tale that doesn't need to be told is recipe for a generation that is lost and dying on the inside.
WTF is wrong with all you people.
A new take on the hitman genre is to be respected but not with such a juvenile character arc that if authored similarly by someone else, would fail.
WTF is wrong with all you people.
Pretentious characters that are almost caricatures of their own lives is not juxtaposed reality as some have suggested it's weak and telegraphed writing.
WTF is wrong with all you people.