Reviews

If you caught the title, you might think I despised this movie. Spoiler alert: I didn't hate it. But it's so painfully generic that it's almost laughable. It's like the script was churned out by ChatGPT, and I wouldn't be surprised if the music came from something like suno.ai.

The premise isn't half bad; an analyst with personal reasons to distrust AI finds herself in a pickle where she has to rely on AI to save the day.

Unfortunately, the execution has all the passion of a McDonald's employee flipping their thousandth burger of the day. It ends up feeling like a B-movie with a Mid blockbuster budget, tossing together tropes from other films like a cinematic smoothie.

But hey, if you need something playing in the background while you doomscroll, it's got JLo, and she's always a pleasure to watch.

This movie makes Rebel Moon look like The Godfather. It's a hot mess, ridiculously generic, and feels more like a video game cutscene stretched into a full-length feature film...

When I started watching the "Interview with the Vampire" series, I was skeptical, expecting yet another uninspired remake. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the high quality of this adaptation, which pays heartfelt homage to Anne Rice's beloved source material.

While many aspects have been updated, the essence remains intact.

Initially, I was uneasy with the updated timeline, but these changes quickly proved to be clever adaptations that enhance the story's context. This series reimagines Louis and Lestat not as shadowy figures confined to the closet, but as richly developed characters, faithful to Rice's vision and perfectly adapted for the 21st century.

The show delves deep into the existential angst central to the original narrative, supported by superb direction, lavish production design, and stellar performances. Sam Reid's portrayal of Lestat captures his charm and ruthlessness with a nuanced approach that brings new depth to the character. Meanwhile, Jacob Anderson's Louis is convincingly complex, wrestling with his identity against the backdrop of early 20th-century New Orleans, a setting brought to life with meticulous detail and historical fidelity.

The series boldly addresses LGBTQ+ issues, refusing to sanitize the passionate and tumultuous relationship between Louis and Lestat. Some viewers may squirm, but those who appreciate a faithful, high-quality adaptation of Rice's work will find this series deeply satisfying. It stands out for its ability to remain true to the essence of the book while offering a fresh, unique reinterpretation.

When it airs, "Interview with the Vampire" is one of the best television shows available, a bold statement in an era saturated with mediocrity. If you're looking for a respectful yet daring Bold adaptation, this version is worth your time. It's Fking Good.

Having completed Fallout 3, New Vegas, and Fallout 4, I initially expected to dislike this series, but I found myself binge-watching it through the night.

The Fallout games are renowned for their post-apocalyptic and atompunk RPG elements, featuring a vast exploratory scale, eccentric factions, gratuitous violence, and offbeat humor.

This series encapsulates all those aspects while managing to strike a balance by infusing a grounded dramatic tone that intertwines the excesses within a Western-style narrative structure, typical of modern series. It seamlessly integrates the main quest with character development, glimpses into the pre-nuclear world, and compelling sequences set within the Vault.

Contrary to my initial concerns, the series avoids being overly absurd, showcasing well-thought-out design elements. The dialogue feels authentic, the storyline, albeit eccentric, aligns with the universe's essence, and the actors deliver performances that lend credibility to the narrative.

Walton Goggins shines as Ghoul, Kyle MacLachlan impresses with his portrayal, and the entire cast delivers commendable performances. The chemistry between Lucy and Maximus is particularly noteworthy.

It seems like Bethesda's Todd Howard has reason to celebrate, as this series is poised for success and may even boost sales of the original Fallout games. Following the success of "The Last of Us," this adaptation further solidifies TV as a platform to expand upon vast gaming worlds.

I am optimistic about the continuation of this trend and wholeheartedly recommend this series to fans of the genre and anyone who appreciates sci-fi and fantasy subgenres. "Fallout" the series earns a solid 8 out of 10 in my rating.

The saga of Rick Grimes and Michonne reaches a poignant crossroads. If their story were to conclude here, it would be a fitting and beautiful ending for characters who have weathered the darkest storms.

Andrew Lincoln's portrayal of Rick Grimes transcends mere acting; he becomes the very essence of the character. We feel his struggles, victories, and heartaches. His performance is nothing short of remarkable. And alongside him, Danai Gurira as Michonne delivers excellence, infusing depth and strength into her role.

"The Ones Who Live" opens with promise, its initial episodes gripping and emotional. Yet, there's a slight dip in the middle-a momentary lull that allows reflection. But the series rallies, culminating in a decent, satisfying ending.

This show serves as a heartfelt tribute to dedicated Walking Dead fans. For those who have journeyed alongside Grimes and Michonne over the years, the series remains true to the emotional highs and lows of their relationship.

As we bid farewell, we hold hope that love, like the undead, persists beyond the final frame.

As an adaptation, Mr and Mrs Smith 2024 is a fascinating show that explores the lives of married spies beyond the concept of the original film.

It shows how a secret organization pairs up these couples, how they cope with a forced marriage, how they face life-threatening situations together, how they communicate or fail to communicate with each other, and how they balance their work and personal lives.

The series features two charismatic leads and a stellar supporting cast, and blends elements of romance, comedy, mystery, action, and espionage.

It is a fun and engaging show that I binge-watched in one night. The tone of the series is more subtle and nuanced than the original movie, but I think it is a smart and enjoyable adaptation.

As a fan of Heavy Metal comics, I was intrigued by Rebel Moon, but it didn't blow me away. Overall, I liked it, but at the same time, I was left wanting more.

Allow me to explain.

What I Liked: Visually, it's a treat, creating a world that's immersive and visually stunning. The action, especially with Sofia Boutella, is a thrill. If you're into Zack Snyder's style, you'll probably find something to enjoy here. It's got that Snyder touch, for better or for worse.

What I Didn't Like: The film feels rushed, like a longer story chopped to fit the runtime. Some scenes and characters could've used more depth, which made the action less impactful. It hovers on the surface without diving into campiness or complexity.

Maybe there's a better version out there held back for marketing reasons. Netflix might have missed the mark with this one.

Critics giving it one star might be too harsh, but a perfect score is pushing it. For me, it's a 6 out of 10. It was enjoyable, but I wished for a bit more polish and depth.

Overall, it's a sham, it had the elements for a great flick but ended up as a decent afternoon watch.

I will definitely watch Part 2.

I have to confess, before tuning into this show, I had the impression it might resemble "The Last of Us," perhaps tailored for a different audience, a bit like a redneck version. And, "Walking Dead Dixon" does draw some inspiration from the acclaimed video game, but dismissing it as a mere copy would be unfair; it certainly transcends that notion.

One of the standout features is its accessibility. You don't need to be well-versed in the original series or its intricate backstory to enjoy it. At its core, "Walking Dead Dixon" narrates a timeless tale of a man toughened by life, thrust onto the shores of an unfamiliar land. His quest to return home unveils challenges much larger than himself, and Norman Reedus impeccably embodies this role.

Another captivating element is the backdrop of post-apocalyptic France, in the wake of the zombie outbreak. It's both chilling and breathtaking. In this chaotic world, survivors sought solace amidst the remnants of the ancient era, in abandoned fortresses, castles, and medieval enclaves. These strongholds, built for defense, morphed into perfect sanctuaries. This lends the show a remarkable visual appeal and a haunting atmosphere of its own.

While not without imperfections, the series boasts high production values, evoking a distinct ambiance, amplified by compelling performances from Reedus, Clémence Poésy, and the ensemble. All compacted into six engaging episodes, it's a worthwhile binge.

Whether you're eager to reimmerse yourself in the "Walking Dead" universe or just starting out, this series is a solid choice.

In my book, it garners a firm 8.

In the vast realm of storytelling, some tales strike us silent, and this is undoubtedly one of those.

"The Fall of the House of Usher" transports us to a world of opulent elites, drowning in their vices without remorse, willing to sacrifice their own kin for vanity. They believe their wealth can shield them from consequences, but as with all tales, reckoning awaits. This series, a true marvel to my eyes, sparks deep thoughts with its superb direction and unforgettable performances.

Bruce Greenwood, already a talented actor, truly shines in this series, though he's not the only star. The entire cast delivers exceptional performances.

The writing is beyond the usual small screen fare, exquisite and captivating.

I can't definitively say if this is Mike Flanagan's best work, but it's undoubtedly among his finest.

Diving into this series is like embracing a treasure trove of storytelling, far surpassing typical IMDb ratings.

From stunning cinematography to performances that tug at your heartstrings (LaKeith Stanfield truly shines here), it's a journey that resonates deep within. The writing is finely tuned, hitting the mark precisely.

However, fair warning; it's a slow burn, often delving into thought-provoking, metaphysical realms. This might not be everyone's cup of tea. Still, give the first episode a chance, and you'll quickly discern whether it speaks to you.

In the realm of 2023's dramatic horror series, this one stands tall, delivering an unexpectedly delightful and immersive experience.

Gen V is a good show, but it doesn't quite reach the satirical heights of earlier seasons of The Boys. It feels like a parody of the parody itself rather than a sharp commentary on societal issues.

It does have all the familiar graphical ingredients that have made the original show a notable success: a girl with the ability to shrink, sliding down an oversized anatomical structure, an unresolved mystery, brutally graphic deaths, and a generous dose of gore, all masterfully packaged.

However, despite these elements, Gen V feels somewhat like more of the same. It's a good show, but it doesn't break any new ground.

I'm curious to see how the season concludes, but I think only die-hard fans of The Boys will find this series the most amazing thing on TV.

I've never seen the original anime, even though I like fantasy and sci-fi genres.

But I couldn't get into the comedy tone and the overall feel of this live-action adaptation, even after watching more than half of the season. It just didn't appeal to me.

I don't want to be harsh on this production, because it's well-done. It has heart, likable actors, and good quality overall. And I do think that Netflix has a potential winner here, which many fans of the anime, and maybe some newcomers, will love and applaud.

But I'm someone who prefers content that's more serious, even if just a bit. The tone of this series is too nonsensical for my taste. It's typical of certain animes, which I never enjoyed. But many others did.

If you like hyperbolic and juvenile narratives, this could be for you. Otherwise, give it a try for the first 3 episodes. If you're still not hooked, it's probably not worth the binge.

Star Wars is a franchise that has many fans, but also many critics. Some people take it too seriously and expect every movie or show to be perfect and profound. I don't share that view. I think Star Wars is mainly for fun and entertainment, and I enjoy it as such. Of course, there are some exceptions, such as The Empire Strikes Back and Andor, which are more serious and complex. But most of the time, I just want to have a good time watching Star Wars.

That's why I'm loving Ahsoka so far. Based on the three episodes I've seen, this series is exactly what I want from Star Wars. It has everything I like: three strong and beautiful female leads, a stoic and intriguing villain in Ray Stevenson and his apprentice, several mystery boxes that keep me curious, nice fights with lightsabers and spaceships, excellent production design that captures the Star Wars feel, and a bunch of Easter eggs from Rebels and the Filoniverse in general.

Ahsoka is not perfect, of course. It has some flaws that could be improved. The writing could be more polished and consistent. The pacing could be more balanced and dynamic.

But overall, I think Ahsoka is a great addition to the Star Wars canon, and I'm looking forward to seeing how it ends. I hope it will maintain its quality and tone until the finale, and deliver a satisfying conclusion to the story of Ahsoka Tano and her allies. For now, I give it a thumbs up and recommend it to anyone who likes Star Wars.

I will update this review when I finish watching the series.

------------------- Updated.

Having watched the whole first season, I still agree with what I wrote, except for one thing.

This feels more like a half season than a full one.

It's a common issue with Disney series. I've always found their model of few episodes and short runtimes unsatisfying. And there was clearly a lot more story to tell, which led to too many cliffhangers.

It's an enjoyable series, it won't win any awards for drama but it's fun, though the ending seems somewhat unsatisfying.

At its core, "Heart of Stone" follows the well-trodden path of brainless yet exhilarating action and espionage films, reminiscent of franchises like Mission Impossible and James Bond. Despite operating on a more modest budget, the movie still achieves a commendable level of production quality. The plot, admittedly generic, unfolds at a brisk pace, keeping the audience engaged.

Gal Gadot shines in her role, effortlessly embodying the charismatic yet sweet intelligence operative. Her performance, though not groundbreaking, aligns perfectly with the film's tone. Gadot's physical prowess and charm elevate the character, making her a standout. The supporting cast, including Jing Lusi and Jamie Dornan, hold their own, contributing to the overall entertainment factor.

"Heart of Stone" isn't groundbreaking cinema, and it doesn't attempt to be. It's a movie that acknowledges its genre and aims to provide an enjoyable ride. If you're seeking a way to spend a few hours with some popcorn, especially when there's nothing better to do, this film fits the bill perfectly. Its score would likely fall somewhere between 6 and 7, which aptly reflects its entertainment value.

Finally, I witnessed the much-anticipated "The Flash." Let me tell you, this flick packed a punch, mostly soaring high with its electrifying storytelling and captivating performances. Yet, I can't help but address the elephant in the room - the atrocious CGI in one particular section. It's like they reached for the stars but stumbled into a digital abyss. But hold your horses, because this film deserves a fair shake beyond its computer-generated blunder.

Once you look past that blemish and dive into the rest of the movie, prepare to be blown away. The actors shine like supernovas, delivering remarkable performances that will leave you in awe. The action unfolds in epic proportions, sweeping you into a whirlwind of adrenaline-fueled excitement. The writing flows like a mighty river, effortlessly guiding you through a sea of emotions. And amidst it all, the humor lands with impeccable timing, providing much-needed levity, while the drama strikes chords deep within your soul. Oh, and let's not forget the delightful brushstrokes of nostalgia that grace the screen.

It's perplexing, though, how a film that spent ages in development could stumble in such a crucial area of visual effects. Perhaps the tumultuous real-world events overshadowed the significance of refining those rough edges. It's a regrettable misstep because this film has so much to offer. I, for one, am tired of the superhero shuffle, yet "The Flash" manages to break the mold and captivate.

The Flash 2023 may stumble in one section, but it ignites a spark that resonates throughout. Prepare to be enthralled by its pulse-pounding adventures and immersive storytelling that transcends the shortcomings.

The Rig, is a mixed bag of both good and bad elements.

While it may not be a work of art, the acting performances are noteworthy and the atmosphere and tone are well executed. However, there are some plot inconsistencies and the storyline can be a bit complex, which may not be everyone's cup of tea. Despite its flaws, I believe that the show is worth watching, and any rating lower than 5 is unjust, in my opinion.

The show may not appeal to everyone, but it will definitely have its own fan base. The science fiction genre has always been a hit or miss with viewers, and this show falls in the middle.

Fans of the genre will appreciate the effort put into the atmosphere and tone, and the good acting performances will not go unnoticed. On the other hand, those who are looking for a tight, well-structured plot with no inconsistencies may find the show lacking.

Overall, the show is a decent watch for fans of the science fiction genre. While it may not be perfect, the good acting performances and well-executed atmosphere and tone make it worth checking out. However, those who are looking for a flawless storyline may want to look elsewhere..

I recently stumbled upon this TV show and I can't stop watching it! The show is filled with inappropriate jokes that made me laugh out loud.

Red and Kitty are still wild and hilarious as ever, and the new kids on the show are cute and funny too. The original cast of the show also makes appearances, which is a nice added bonus.

While it may not be as good as The 70s Show, it's still a great comedy that will have you entertained for hours. The characters are lovable and relatable, and the show is full of mild-raunchy and witty humor.

Is it as good as The 70s Show? No. But it's still pretty funny and I've had a few good laughs.

Starting with the positives. The main actors, although young, are very good. The dialogue remains mainly intelligent. And as the story takes place in the 90s, there are good moments of nostalgia, especially with the use of music among other easter eggs. Like all of Flanaghan's shows, the horror is in the subtext rather than the focus of the story itself.

A group of terminally ill young people, who are guests in a place where they can be themselves while they wait to die, gather at night to tell horror stories. And while the idea is good, the execution loses some coherence as the season progresses.

Midnight Club tries to do many things at once, it's a drama about terminal teenagers dealing with death in a seemingly haunted place and it's also an anthology series with stories ranging from horror to science fiction. And until the last 3 episodes, it's easy for the viewer to get lost in this amalgamation of themes. Unlike Midnight Mass, this series lacks a clear narrative thread. And the experience can be "challenging" at times.

Overall, I would say I liked the series, but I didn't love it. And I have no doubt that many other people will love this series because it has much to enjoy. But personally, I found some episodes a difficult task to overcome. The positive aspects outweigh the negatives. But this isn't my favorite Flanaghan series by far.

I give it 7 stars out of 10.

Let's face it, the vast majority of Star Wars fans are people in their 60s, 50s, 40s and 30s. We're pretty old. And while we may enjoy revisiting that world, many of us are tired of always seeing the same toy advertisement, the same jokes, the same Skywalker family soap opera, the magic called force that has become a gimmick. The old formula is old and worn out, no longer producing the wow factor.

Star Wars has long deserved a more genre-bending approach. And Andor provides that. Visually, it's Star Wars meets Blade Runner. Narratively, it's Star Wars meets Tom clancy.

Tony Gilroy, screenwriter of the best Star Wars movie of the Disney era, Rogue One, bets on doubling down on realism. And he uses Cassian Andor's origin story to show us the shady origins of the Rebellion, expanding the Star Wars universe into grey areas the franchise has never navigated, using almost zero fan service. The result is an excellent spy thriller, with three-dimensional characters. In addition to being a well-written series with excellent performances, it also looks good, the cinematography and visual effects are excellent.

Having only watched up to the 3rd episode, I can safely say that I will enjoy the entire season.

What may not be the case for you, the tone of this series certainly won't be for all fans.

But it's a more adult approach in tone, which many have wanted to see in the franchise for years.

Solid 8 stars ( maybe 9 after watching the full season )

There is a trick I often do, to assess whether franchise media is good or not. I simply empty my mind of preconceived ideas, isolate myself from outside noise, and judge what is before my eyes and ears on its own merits.

And so far, judging by the first two episodes, Rings of Power is one of the biggest fantasy epics made for TV.

Is this show perfect? Of course not. Is it slow in some parts? Yup. But there would always be room to nitpick for personal bias, regardless of the brand of the show; nothing is perfect.

But judging by any metric, this show is absolutely above average quality. A flawless masterpiece, no. But it's good.

The actors do an impeccable job, each frame is a work of art, the soundtrack is excellent, there's fantasy and dark shadows at every turn, which makes me look forward to the next episode.

And yes, this show takes itself seriously. There are no fart jokes at the end of every dialogue. Or the incestuous nudity of Game of Thrones.

It's simply a good old school fantasy adventure with tremendous production value.

I will update this review at the end of the season. But so far, it's one of the most interesting series I've seen all year. I would love to be able to binge watch this thing. And I think it would be the ideal format for a long story like this one.

The photography and direction of this thing is excellent.

It's the least cheesy Predator movie by far. The first half of the movie is character setup and development; the second part is all action and visceral mayhem.

There's something beautiful about seeing animal poachers being ravaged and cut to pieces.

On the downside. Some CGI images of animals looked like they needed more budget. The Predator, on the other hand, is fantastic, I like the new design. Which visually remains indistinguishably a predator,

I won't be surprised that many consider this film to be the best after the original, if not the best.

If the original is a story of big game hunters being hunted. This is the story that fragile prey can also be quite cunning and dangerous.

After 10 Cloverfield Lane and Prey, Dan Trachtenberg is possibly one of the best sci-fi horror directors of recent times. Hope to see more good things from this man.

Many "Critical Bigots" have already started to give only one star to this film, because the protagonist is a girl. And not liking to see someone with a vagina in a movie is not a criterion for evaluating quality.

If these pop culture Taliban existed in the late 70s; the movie Alien would be considered too "woke" to pass the puritanical incel test of these losers.

My score is actually a round 8. But I'm going to give it a 10, just to even the score.

I'll start off by saying that for over 20 years I don't give a damn about Resident Evil's live-action fidelity.

This Franchise that has zombies, giant spiders, evil corporations, was made to be a game. Expanding that universe to screens will always involve a lot of reinvention. And it will never be high art.

But whoever wrote this made questionable creative choices, no one should go that far.

The narrative of this series was divided in two. A main one, with an adult protagonist, that sums up most of the action. And the flash sequences, which is basically another CW teen drama, which clearly takes up a lot of the show's focus.

And the result is a mess.

Is this the worst series I've ever seen? No. It's good? No. Does it have some redeeming qualities? Yes. Can this series entertain many monster shlock fans? Yup. Will many resident evil fans be disappointed? Many, for sure. It is worth it? It depends. And did I like it? I probably enjoyed this series more than most, for the wrong reasons.

I must say it has good visuals (except for a few nitpicks) and good action scenes, the music is not bad. Photography is good. But the Riverdale part of the story was useless.

In an attempt to please a very young audience, I think they overcomplicated a show that should have been pretty straightforward.

A resident evil highschool drama and a post-apocalyptic horror action series at the same time! You can't have it all, Netflix. I don't know who approved this, but that person must have been stoned.

I recommend? It depends. If you like the first episode. The rest of the series is edible. If you do not like it. Don't even waste your time.

The first Jurassic Park was a thought-provoking science fiction film with enormous entertainment value.

But after the first film, pseudoscientific realism was thrown in the trash can, emphasis was placed just on the popcorn factor, making these movies falling into the spectrum of a good visual festival with a mediocre narrative.

This film is perhaps the one that takes this principle further. The story is generic, it serves as a pretext to go from action scene to action scene, with dinosaurs, explosions, bar fights, impossible pursuits with vehicles on land and in the air.

However, it still has some well-crafted nostalgia factor. I really enjoyed seeing Sam Neill, Laura Dern and Jeff Goldblum together once again. And to the film's credit, these characters are more than glorified appearances, taking up quite a bit of space in the film.

Conclusion: It's a brainless action movie with plenty of nostalgia, good character moments, and a corny b-plot narrative that is very bland and shallow.

I enjoyed this movie more than the previous one. If you don't expect much from it, it might be fun.

Obi-Wan Kenobi on paper is almost a perfect series. We have the redemption arc of an old disgraced Jedi Master exiled in the desert. The redemption story of Imperial Inquisitor Reva, whose childhood and life was shattered by the rise of the Empire. Leia Organa's narrative arc. And behind that, of course, we have Darth Vader, who has a score to settle with his old Mentor.

That's a lot of baggage packed into 6 episodes, most with a 35-minute runtime.

Yes ladies and gentlemen, Disney tv is cheap. And that is very evident in this series. Some scenes are excellent at the production level, others are outrageously lacking budget. It's an all too obvious contrast.

But its biggest cheap sin is in the runtime.

This 35 minute model might have worked well for the Mandalorian, whose focal point is just one character. But in a series with a plethora of narrative arcs, it's extremely difficult to give depth to the narrative. We saw this in Boba Fett. We see this again in Obi-Wan.

Although, I have to say that Obi-Wan, despite its problems, is the best of these two. ( In my opinion )

On the positive side, Ewan Macregregor is outstanding as Obi-Wan. He's one of the best actors in this franchise and it shows. It was a pleasure to see Hayden Christensen back, and he does a great job with what he's been given. Moses Ingram as Reva is perhaps too over the top, but I think in the end she justifies her existence on the show. And the actress who plays the child Leia is adorable, even though her character exists primarily to serve as a plot device..

In short. We have a Star Wars series, with princess rescue, lightsaber battles, stormtroopers with bad aim.

If, like me, you're a fan but don't take Star Wars too seriously, this series is enjoyable, albeit a little frustrating for its runtime and incongruous production value.

I rate it 7.5 out of 10.

The idea is interesting. The local landscape is gorgeous.

On paper, this movie should be an interesting study about love, addiction, lust, trauma, mental health, etc. But that is not what we got.

Overall execution is noticeably low effort and convoluted.

Hemsworth's performance was sloppy to poor. On the positive side, Miles Teller was borderline ok.

The rest of the characters are basically clichés.

Hemersworth's wife's recent movie is not good, but it manages to be better than this.

First episode, and we have an encapsulated story, with a beginning, middle and end, in which the dilemmas of modern society are explored in a self-reflective way, using an alien civilization as a parable.

The old classic trek formula with updated and impressive visuals.

And the same can be said of the cast, all charming and easily relatable. But keep in mind that some are remakes of familiar characters. Some people will not like that.

So far, this is the Kurtzman-era series that has positively impressed me the most. Let's see if the quality holds up.

Still. There are some creative choices that bother me a little.

Probably my favorite character from this new series, is La'an Noonien-Singh. One of the best officers onboard and a dashing beauty. But just the fact that she's a Noonien-Singh is going to unnecessarily stress many of the more purist fans.

So far this series is a significant improvement, it has everything many fans have long claimed. And still. They keep some of the tricks, which mess with the cannon, unnecessarily. For me is a minor complaint, but for some boomer fans it's sacrilege.

But clearly, in my opinion, it's the most enjoyable of all the recent Star Trek series. I really liked this episode. And I will look forward to the next.