SP-10 Reviews

True Detective: Night Country: Part 2 (2024) Season 4, Episode 2

Geez, it is not that bad people. There will never be another S1.

[7/10 · 30 January 2024]

Each season brings own story and style. This one is bleaker, darker and goes straight into supernatural. There are Inupiat / native Alaskan themes. But it is northern Alaska with no light so probably makes sense. Yes, perhaps too much GoT whitewalker nods but it is not bad. Jodie Foster and Kali Reis are great as tough as nails female cops with a bad history together. It is keeping us entertained, trying to figure out who is really dead, who is the walking dead and who killed the girl and station workers. It is better than Season 2, not as good as Season 3. There will never be another Season 1. Move on if that is your comparison.

Daisy Jones & The Six (2023)

Solid but overrated. Syrupy and sanitized similar to NBC mini-series

[7/10 · 4 January 2024]

Overall it was a well-done, well-acted series carried by Riley, Sam and Camila. The rest of cast were sort of after-thoughts with mediocre storylines at best. Tim Olyphant's hair was abysmal, if not laughable. This was very sugary series, skimming over major issues of drug abuse and mental illness to keep characters clean and pure. Love conquers all...blah. It had nostalgic vibe close to Almost Famous in several ways. Deep down, it was fictional take on Fleetwood Mac in the 70s. I also have to wonder if they truly meant to portray a "Jim Morrison" figure as some predator. I would call this stream-able but not ground-breaking, unique or memorable. It was a good story of likeable troubled people rising to fame and then adulthood.

The Love Witch (2016)

Cold, weird, beautifully shot. A homage that flips the 70s horror genre

[9/10 · 14 December 2023]

This is not for everyone. You have to understand 70s horror genre. The actors are wooden, script is subpar. It feels cheap and campy, perhaps pointless. The female lead is seductive and naked quite often. A female director made this film. It is spot on brilliant as a homage to 70s horror. It is black comedy and unsettling at same time. In 70s horror, the women were mostly victims or sexual ornaments for men. In the Love Witch, she turns it around with Elaine using her beauty, potions and sex to lure men. She wields her power, controls them and treats them coldy when not her ideal love. It speaks to how women use their sexuality, rivalries, female jealousies in search of ideal balance of love, power, desire. Men are easily led pawns in their game which can make it boring for women. The costumes, the colors, set decorations and general photography are top level amazing. Total craft. Samantha Robinson is perfect. She is absolutely stunning in this role.

House Hunters (1999– )

A trainwreck of American society

[1/10 · 26 March 2023]

For 20 years, Americans have been led to believe that buying a home is a winning investment. This show is nothing more than amalgamation of propaganda for realtors, mortgage brokers, home depot sales, designers and contractors. Everything is easy. Everything is a great investment, simply sign of the dotted line for your "dream". Our Federal reserve system (from Greenspan, Bernanke, Yellen, Powell) has created artificial low rate environment and mortgage bailout mentality that allows older boomers to cash-in and younger generations to make foolish decisions. Having just watched "Reality Check in Seattle" from 2022, I have to wonder how long until next implosion occurs ala 2008. A young artsy, craftsy wannabe bee-keeper buys home for 10% over ask at $850k that needs tons of work as well as roommate to afford it. Mom was on-board though. Peak crazy. House hunters is a joke.

Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)

Is it sci-fi? Is it comedy? Is it drama? Is it kung-fu? It is all and fails miserably

[4/10 · 28 February 2023]

This is like an film amateur with a budget, tried to emulate Charlie Kaufman for asian community. It is a horrendous mess which tries to be funny and charming. It is neither. I will give cast credit for trying to make this steaming pile work. Michelle Yeoh really did a good job. I can't imagine filming such a weird, demanding movie. There are alot of fight scenes and crazy visuals. The actors probably had no idea what they were filming so kudos for trust in the directors. Unfortunately, the directors failed them in creating any kind of flow or story-line. Mix that with the arrogance that the film needs 2 parts as well as 140m to tell no real story and you get 2022's most over-hyped film of the year. Avoid.

I Saw the Devil (2010)

Ok but way overrated. Not original or even that interesting

[7/10 · 5 February 2023]

Some spoilers: I saw this movie rated as one of top SK movies ever made so gave it a try. It is not anything original or ground breaking, just a revenge thriller which has been made dozens of times. I would say Seven meets Taken. Honestly, it kind of became ridiculous after the third attack that Kyung-chul took. No human could survive those beatings to head and wake up fine a day later. Acting was average as detective Kim Soo was either stoic or crying, nothing else required. It was bland story but pretty graphic in terms of violence. I would rate as average movie with zero depth. Parasite, The Wailing, Burning are far, far better movies that make you think about pain, revenge and tragedy in different lights. This one added nothing.

Licorice Pizza (2021)

Can't a movie just be a story? This is a funny quirky love story done with PTA's craftsmanship.

[8/10 · 6 September 2022]

I am not saying movie is for everyone but I found it unique and somewhat touching story of youthful love in 70s CA. Plot is about teenage actor Gary, full of confidence and drive who has heart set on woman, Alana, ten years his senior. She is restless and looking for purpose which she finds in Gary's entrepreneurial endeavors. It is a funny, stylistic tennis match of complexities centered around their odd-ball love story. I don't know what deeper plot people are trying to find. There is none. Just enjoy the 70s ride. It is beautifully shot and very well acted. The two main characters were terrific - awkward, not classically attractive but very charismatic. Perfect for those odd teenage/young adult years. If you want quirky, odd romantic comedy then look no further. Well done PTA.

Nomadland (2020)

Boring? Pointless? None of those things - a painful journey of sorrow, purpose, friendship

[8/10 · 12 May 2022]

I love Frances McDormand and she has never been better. I get that people may find it boring but only if you fail to connect to humanity of picture. A woman in grief from losing husband decides to live in van and travel the country, hopping from job to job to survive. She meets a community of people who like her living in vans - some dealing with loss of children, some loss of health, some perhaps just personal choice. They are searchers, looking for meaning and not finding it in daily 9-5 grind. It is wonderfully shot movie, nicely acted. Deserves its acclaim. Not a masterpiece as sort of glides along, not exposing too much of inner pain of lead character but also not much redemption, perhaps just light closure. I enjoyed it.

O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000)

An ode to the old South - beautifully shot, original, funny masterpiece.

[10/10 · 7 May 2022]

Hard to call this movie under-appreciated but music sort of over took quality of film. The cinematography is top-notch, really some of best colors put on film. It won't appeal to those looking for mass comedy but should be revered by lovers of charming, witty literary adaptations. Based on Homer's Odyssey, each scene is a gem of construct and purpose. The music is beyond superb. One of Coen's best.

Burning (2018)

Don't believe "too long" or "pointless" reviews, written by red hat mooks bc a bad portrayal of Trump. This is a stunning, subtle masterpiece.

[10/10 · 15 March 2022]

I watched this late at night, somehow missing it when it came out a few years ago. This is a brilliantly constructed movie that challenges the viewer to see what they want, with only the outcome as concrete. It is a simple story. A struggling, shy young man (Jong) wants to write. He meets a pretty, free spirited girl (Haemi) from his past who is struggling to find meaning in her life. After a brief affair she leaves for Africa and returns with a mysterious, rich sophisticated fellow Korean man (Ben) that she met in Nairobi. He is pleasant and friendly with Jong but viewer has absolutely no idea on his motives for hanging out with poor, quirky Haemi. Jong is skeptical and jealous but also unable to express feelings for Haemi. From there, it becomes beautifully crafted mystery with so much depth, both visually and audibly. What happened and who is the villain? You won't find real answers. So many frames and sounds which feed the story yet are completely open to interpretation. I need to rewatch with headphones as so many background sounds that tell part of the story. It is long movie but completely worth any art/mystery lover's time.

Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls (1995)

Great! They told Jim to go for it and he did. Absolutely hysterical, brilliant performance

[8/10 · 18 October 2021]

Those expecting high brow comedy or a good film can look elsewhere. This was simply a vehicle for Jim to let loose with whatever he wanted to do. It is a complete improv of contorted faces, crude jokes and non-sensical one liners. It feels like a framework of script, nothing serious but enough to provide a storyline. Jim at his looney best.

The Apple (1980)

3 stars too much but amazed that someone had audacity to produce this steaming pile

[3/10 · 9 March 2021]

Caught this on Pluto and really this deserves a zero stars as it is incomprehensibly bad in plot, acting, and overall execution. It is absolutely bizarre film. It is like someone decided Flash Gordon and Rocky Horror needed to be a futuristic sc-fi musical set in NYC. The whole is laughable. I swear they wrote the screenplay and songs the night before shooting. Shamefully horrific. That said, they spent serious money on the costumes, sets and choreography. It was hilarious to see what someone in 1979, thought 1994 would be. Too funny. Definitely a cult film for gay community due to flare and style. Not a movie I would see again personally

Breakdown (I) (1997)

Just one of those movies that works. Edge of your seat, one of best thrillers of 90s

[8/10 · 9 March 2021]

There really is no reason to think this movie would work. It has a tired old theme of city folk lost in middle of nowhere with untrustworthy rednecks all about. The beauty of the movie is in its simplicity. Somewhat far fetched plot but not so much to make it completely silly. Film wastes no time with character set-up, just a couple from Boston headed for a new life when they break down in middle of solitary desert. From there, it really becomes solid acting by Kurt Russell as a desperate, brave man in a race to rescue his wife. His face really captures fear, anger, and intensity of film. Music is perfect compliment to superb action sequences. Plenty of desert car chases, fight sequences, 18 wheelers breathing down your neck. I would place this movie behind Terminator 2 as best pure action movie of the 1990s. Highly recommended.

Beyond the Black Rainbow (2010)

Solid 7 that could have been better. Visuals are unique and stunning.

[7/10 · 1 September 2020]

Not going to call it a masterpiece and not for casual observer. Long, creepy and very difficult to grasp story. It is a surreal, strange trip of visual horror. I was enamored at points and hard to give up once you get into it. Best watched late in the dark. I thought it was ambitious but kind of failed to bring it all together at the end. Kudos to the Panos. Ambitious work. He is one to watch in sci-fi.

Vivarium (2019)

Decent idea, good actors, solid budget..so what went wrong? Oops, the point of story.

[5/10 · 3 August 2020]

Sorry but I spent 1 hour 40m trying to come up with reasons why this was made. Quirky, surreal, sci-fi drama is tough to pull off but Charlie Kaufman, Terry Gilliam and Spike Jonze seem to get it. You have to create the story's world with context and textures so that as the characters get trapped, you understand their motivations plus the confinements to be overcome. Opening sequence is beautifully shot and harrowing but Vivarium's story set-up is very abrupt. Five mins into movie, all you know are two young people are to look at a house. You know nothing about them or the world around them but it just goes full bore into this inescapable neighborhood. From there it just falls apart and next 70m you see them flounder in this world full of questions but zero answers. At end, all I can surmise is that raising kids sucks and real estate agents are bad. Art..this is not. It did have potential but poor story writing and direction doomed it.

Killing Eve (2018–2022)

So over-rated. Treats it characters (and audience) with little intelligence or respect

[6/10 · 17 July 2020]

I am 5 episodes into first season and going to dump it. Yes, it has some exciting elements (as do most assassin series). Comer is very good but that is the easy stuff. Sandra Oh is sort of one trick pony actress who plays zany, wino female anti-hero Honestly just a little old to play alluring, mysterious, cat to Comer's mouse. There is sexual attraction which Sandra does not radiate well. Someone slightly younger (40-ish) and 'take off the glasses' pretty would have been better suited for this role. Outside of miscast lead, the biggest downside is poor treatment of intelligence and technology. The world's greatest assassin walks around openly, kills people at public events overall completely sloppy yet British intelligence says she is careful and can't get a camera anywhere in major cities..sure. Even when they identify her, apparently experienced agents walk right up to her and announce themselves then track (alone) world's greatest killer without snapping video of her or calling for backup. Lo and behold, he gets killed and she remains a mystery. Sorry, it is pretty brainless and more intelligent thrillers out there.

Black Mirror: Metalhead (2017) Season 4, Episode 5

People giving it 2-6 stars are off. Solid 8..Bleak and haunting but people with kids get it

[8/10 · 30 June 2020]

I get that some people don't like lack of back story or cinematography as these may be valid criticisms. Still, people calling it bleak and pointless are missing a solid episode. It is bleak, relentless and hopeless. Who cares about why and how? She is being hunted by robotic dogs. Obviously society has broken down, but their child is dying and they risk it all to feel get brief comfort and normalcy for their child. It is innate human trait to nurture and love even in a society that offers none of it.. Sad episode but far from pointless. Now, Alligator was far less meaningful. It spoke to one person's decrepit nature and tried to be slick at end. Worst episode of season, not Metalhead

The Mandalorian (2019– )

As usual, Star Wars fans rate it god-like rating when it is average at best.

[6/10 · 8 June 2020]

Yes, it is beautifully shot and the story line is intriguing..it ends there. The writing, casting and acting are so junior levels that you have to wonder if they spent entire budget on sets. Really it is bad. Some moments but so many stupid, flimsy plots and it just breaks down towards end.

Bird Box (2018)

A steaming pile that offers nothing in terms of alien takeover genre

[1/10 · 28 July 2019]

Seriously, I held off watching this one because the public hype machine usually leads to disappointment. Here is a great example. People who never watch well made alien sci-fi suddenly see Sandra Bullock then are 'amazed' at the plot and suspense. This is pure garbage. Horriblly written, poorly acted, poorly executed and takes itself too seriously. It is laughably bad on all fronts. It is 'A Quiet Place' plot with no sight instead of no speech. 'A Quiet Place' was also over-hyped but better quality. Skip it.

Black Spot (2017–2019)

Engrossing dark, eco-mystery with heart, humor and soul. Don't use Eng dubbed version

[9/10 · 28 July 2019]

First off, some of the negative reviews sound like David Lynch purists offended that another show could even be mentioned with the great Twin Peaks. I agree, in that other than deep woods location and mysterious circumstances, the shows are nothing alike. That said, Black Spot stands out on its own with beautiful cinematography, solid writing and great character development. Is it perfect? No but supernatural mysteries usually have some questionable plot moments. Overall, you really care about Laurent, her team, the town, the forest..and even the mysterious creature. I just finished season 2 and still believe this is one of top notch shows in its genre. Please, to English viewers, don't use dub feature. I highly suggest original French with English subtitles. I tried English dub for 5m and it came off horribly. It

Tamborine (2018 TV Special)

People being a little harsh but truth is that is not very good.

[6/10 · 30 March 2018]

I saw part of the tour so I was already familiar with the material. It is a comedy routine not political commentary. Sure, some bad taste with killing white kids but there are much harsher jokes out there...say anything by Anthony Jeselnik who I also love. Overall, it is true that this is below Rock standards but he set bar so high with Bring the Pain and Bigger and Blacker. The filming is really cheap and bad. Crowd is constantly show which distracts from Chris as the center of attention. Material is way more personal than before and his divorce comments due give impression that he is doing this for the money. This criticism is accurate. His relationship material (usually the best of his specials) lacks originality and feels stale. Still, there are many gems and I did laugh at many of his jokes. Worth an hour but not nearly as good as previous routines.

Black Mirror: Crocodile (2017) Season 4, Episode 3

Complete piece of garbage and embarrassment to Black Mirror series

[1/10 · 26 January 2018]

Black Mirror is one of the great series of the last decade but this is a total flop. It is unoriginal, unbelievable and says nothing about technology and humanity. It saddens me that this dumb, predictable plot was selected as one of six episodes. Booker completely whiffed on this one and someone on his team should have been honest that this pile of cr*p was not up to snuff.

Copycat (1995)

Wow, people are really overrating this one.

[6/10 · 9 February 2014]

This is not even close to Silence of the Lambs. In fact, it has so many plot holes and logical inconsistencies that 6 - 6.5 rating is generous. Acting was good but character development was sparse. We get no background on why this kid kills. He just does. And, the all-knowing psychologist who surmises that he has technical lab job, can't figure out that he has access to sperm samples and get police over to IVF labs? Really? The most unbelievable part of Copycat is that the Dr. gets attacked multiple times in her apt yet police put a single,bumbling officer outside her door time and time again. The movie has some suspense but it is not even close to top thrillers of all-time. Too highly rated on Amazon and by many here..

Shameless (2011–2021)

Watch the UK series first then you will notice the weaker U.S. version

[5/10 · 11 July 2012]

I can't believe people have not watched the UK version but think U.S. version is spectacular. I could barely get through the first U.S. episode. Literally it was a direct copy of the first UK episode line by line..but without the charm or laughs. Let's see what changed in the U.S. version *Fiona now has supermodel looks rather than a normal girl. *House is huge and immaculate * Steve can't act and has no chemistry with Fiona *The general grittiness of tough, lower class life is lost.

I love WH Macy but David Threlfall is the classic Frank - lazy, drunk, delusional, selfish, hilarious.

Please watch the UK version first.

Hung (2009–2011)

I watched only because of Alexander Payne but "Hung" is a mess,

[3/10 · 10 August 2009]

No one does loser-hero characters better than Payne. The story of "big Ray" satisfying rich women was worth a look. Thomas Jane and Jane Adams do excellent jobs but there is nothing else interesting here. The plot lines are all over the place after only 5 episodes. Before the show's premise can even get off the ground, Ray goes from insecure stud, to confident prostitute to falling in love with a customer. His ex-wife goes from rich to poor and from cold to caring. Not enough character development to pull these shifts so quickly. The kids are truly annoying. I don't see how it can recover from that miscasting. Overall, it is not just that interesting. You can wait around to get your "Boogie Nights" thrill but I don't see how HBO could justify more episodes.