nottaproblemuk Reviews

The Undeclared War (2022)

Nothing Groundbreaking, But A Solid Mini-Series

[7/10 · 3 July 2022]

First of all, this series did not strike me as being particularly 'woke', nor did I witness any aspect of the series that remotely resembled 'leftist propaganda'. This is a show that depicts politicians and GCHQ staff who don't all happen to be male and white. Some are, some aren't. That's all. In fact, I would go so far as to say that the writers seem to have made a genuine effort to avoid political or ideological bias altogether. At its heart, it is very much a character-driven story that doesn't concern itself with hidden agendas.

Be that as it may, 'The Undeclared War' is a Mini-Series not without it's flaws. A few instances of below par acting and the occasional minor plot hole prevents it from making its ascension into the very top tier of television, but it ultimately succeeds in achieving what it intends to achieve - telling a story as nuanced as it is engaging, whilst borrowing just enough source material from the political reality we all know well to present itself as a compelling and thought-provoking warning call to us all.

Even in light of its flaws, 'The Undeclared War' most certainly achieves what it intends to achieve. It doesn't quite achieve what it promised to achieve, however. It doesn't work quite as hard as say, the BBC's 'Years & Years' did, to hook its audience with the type of emotional depth and innovative dynamism that leaves their tears destined to fall and their jaws destined to drop. Nevertheless, its carefully developed storyline, sharp dialogue, and explosive plot twists ensure that it still achieves just enough to merit a solid 7/10 rating.

The Matrix Resurrections (I) (2021)

Underwhelming yet enjoyable.

[7/10 · 24 December 2021]

I would give this film a 6.8 or a 6.9. For me the first film was a solid 9.5, the second was an 8, and the third a 6. The point of me saying this is that I can't agree with people who say this this is an "abomination" or that it has "ruined the legacy" - I think in terms of creativity, imagination and vision, it actually exceeds Matrix Revelations. Having said that...

One of my problems with this film is the shift in tone. What I particularly enjoyed about the original movies was that there always seemed to be subtle undertones that created a darker, more ominous mood. There were moments of genuine tension (I'm thinking Mr Anderson on the phone to Morpheus in the first movie, following instructions on how to flee his office and the approaching agents. Or Smith finding his way into the real world, 'disguised' as Bane) whereas in "Resurrections", these particular elements seem to have been replaced with a lighter, more jovial tone. I'm not against that necessarily, but at times this film felt less like a Matrix reboot - and more like a Marvel movie.

On the flip side, I really liked the way in which they brought the main characters back. In advance of watching I was slightly afraid that it might just be a case of "the peace with the machines has ended, and there's only one man who can prevent another war" - and I couldn't have been more wrong. I like the way that they've evolved the matrix itself, and I thought the overall concept was super imaginative. At times however, our reintroduction to this world and the explanation of the new storyline did feel slightly rushed. It almost felt like the writers were bombarding you with lots and lots and lots of information very quickly as they knew they only had two-and-a-half hours, and didn't want to waste too much of the story on the explanation itself.

As a huge Matrix fan however, I actually liked the 'nostalgia trip' elements of this movie. It seems a lot of people felt that it was a little cheap and over the top, but I enjoyed those moments. I think they made sense given that the entire concept of the film is about trying to trigger the memories of the main two characters - first Neo, and later Trinity - therefore it seemed logical that we'd witness plenty of moments that served as 'recalls' or 'throwbacks'. I particularly like the fact that, for the most part, the music felt true to the original films. I felt that the score worked well.

Overall, there were many things I enjoyed about this movie, and there were some aspects that I didn't like at all. It was definitely flawed in many ways, and didn't come close to reaching the levels of the first two Matrix films. Having said that, it felt good to be back in this little world once again, and as far as I'm concerned - it wasn't a failure, and it certainly didn't take anything away from the original trilogy. Even if it ends up being a one-off, for me, a one-off movie that takes us back to the matrix for 150 minutes or so - even if it's not up to the same standards as the trilogy - is considerably better than having nothing at all.

The Handmaid's Tale: Vows (2021) Season 4, Episode 6

Really?

[4/10 · 20 May 2021]

First half of this episode was great. Really tense and suspenseful, and then... The moment I've been waiting FOUR DAMN SEASONS for, done in the most terrible, rushed, anticlimactic way imaginable. I actually feel cheated. June reuniting with Luke was the thing I've been most looking forward to, and this is how they do it? Really? Jesus.

Line of Duty: Episode #6.7 (2021) Season 6, Episode 7

Solid Season. Underwhelming Finale.

[6/10 · 2 May 2021]

Very anticlimactic. Given the way they ended it, I think they're either going to take a hiatus, or stop making Line Of Duty altogether. Either that or they've just decided that they've run this 'H' storyline into the ground, and wanted to wrap it all up and clear the way to refresh the show with a completely new storyline in Season 7. Either way, after all the tension and anticipation that has been building throughout this season, this finale felt a little rushed to me.

Having said that, I think Jed Mercurio is probably a victim of his own talent as a writer and storyteller to be fair. The mystery of 'H' has been literally going on for three seasons now, and it basically got to the point where there was no character in the show you'd have been shocked to find out was H (except the main 3 which was obviously never gonna happen). Whoever was revealed to be H was either gonna be too obvious, too ridiculous, or too underwhelming. In the end it was the latter...

The Handmaid's Tale: The Crossing (2021) Season 4, Episode 3

June criticism baffling

[9/10 · 30 April 2021]

The level of calm and rational thought some viewers expect from a lead character who was abducted and had her daughter stolen, and then was raped, brutalised and beaten for years on end is simply astonishing. Also the claims that she is 'selfish' are so ridiculous it's actually funny - did she not just save 83 children from a life spent in a violent, patriarchal tyranny? Would a selfish character not have taken advantage of an opportunity to escape Gilead? EITHER time?

Sure there are moments where you're left frustrated and shouting at the screen due to the occasional poor judgement of her character - but again, why on God's green earth would you expect someone who's endured what she's endured to always be in a totally rational and calm state of mind? It would be far more unrealistic if she was still thinking totally clearly all the time. She's obviously unstable, but has still managed to free many children. And yes, people have died along the way, sometimes as a result of her actions, but again, we're back to 'maybe there's a teeny tiny chance that all of those years of rape, brutalisation and violence has had somewhat of an effect on her mental state'... Some people...

Line of Duty: Episode #6.3 (2021) Season 6, Episode 3

Back On Form!

[5 April 2021]

I've always absolutely loved this show and season 6 is not disappointing so far! As always, the plot continues to be fresh and unpredictable, and there is tension at every turn!

As for the Ryan Pilkington storyline - I've been waiting to see how this pans out for a while now. So far, you'd be forgiven for thinking he's just a run of the mill baddy - but if past seasons are anything to go by, we know things aren't always as they seem...

One of the ways the OCG have acquired 'bent coppers' in the past is by both grooming them from a young age (like Dot AKA 'The Caddy') and/or having them over a barrel - just as they did with Gates in season 1. Perhaps they've had something on young Ryan for some time now? Gates' story in season 1 certainly demonstrated the lengths people will go to in order to protect themselves and/or their loved ones.

Anyone who remembers that season will recall how un-phased Ryan's Mother was by his activities. We can be forgiven for assuming that was just because she was a terrible parent, but perhaps it wasn't that she didn't care about his involvement with the OCG, but rather that she relied on it to keep her family safe? Perhaps she got into terrible debt with them, and they threatened to hurt her and her son unless Ryan went to work for them? Maybe Ryan has been doing so for the best part of a decade with the constant threat of his Mother being harmed hanging over his head? Regardless of that, all I'll say is this - when the time inevitably comes for Ryan to go in for questioning with AC-12 with his Reg-15 and his tail between his legs, he will, as Hastings would put it, certainly have a tale or two to tell.

Could Ryan Pilkington be the secret key that AC-12 have been waiting for all these years? The key that will unlock this decade long investigation into collusion between the OCG and high ranking police officers, corruption, and maybe even the final piece of the puzzle... The identity of 'H'?!

Defending Jacob (2020)

People too used to Hollywood endings...

[9/10 · 15 December 2020]

It seems that many people leaving negative reviews as a result of that ending have become a little too accustomed to Hollywood movies and TV shows that have become increasingly obsessed in recent years with wrapping every single little detail up nicely, leaving absolutely no room whatsoever for mystery or interpretation.

Having said that, this narrative that's being put forward here, about this show leaving more questions that answers is actually a false one. Their are many answered questions as well as unanswered ones. That's what makes a truly great show in my view - something that is more concerned with making gripping, emotional high quality drama than relying on that same old formula that we see in every crime/legal drama, which usually consists of 'constant twists for the sake of twists, take it right down to the wire, one final twist and then leave no, I repeat NO loose ends'.

We've seen that a thousand times, which is why 'Defending Jacob' is such a refreshing and enjoyable change of pace. Well acted and written, beautifully filmed and directed, and overall just a well put together piece of Television. A comfortable 9/10 for me 👍🏻

Hubie Halloween (2020)

What were people expecting?

[7/10 · 14 October 2020]

It really baffles me when people who claim to be Adam Sandler fans, give poor reviews of his movies, claiming to be 'disappointed'. What were you expecting from an Adam Sandler Halloween flick? A coming-of-age comedy drama? A complex character study?

I give this a 7/10 because I judged it exactly how it should be judged. If all Adam Sandler's comedy movies were judged on whether or not they compare to the truly great films of our time, then 90% of them would score 1/10. At a push. But films shouldn't be judged that way - they should be judged on whether or not they achieved what they were trying to achieve.

This brings me onto comedy movies - and I mean comedy movies. Not 'dramedies' or other genuinely serious, dramatic films with some small comedic elements - but 100%, straight down the line, out-and-out comedy movies. These types of films shouldn't be judged in the same way we judge dramatic cinema.

The brand of comedy Adam Sandler uses most of the time, is 'slapstick comedy'. It's not to everyone's taste, nor is it the most nuanced form of comedy - but it undoubtedly has it's place in cinema and TV, and it's served Mr Sandler well. Very well, in fact. Disappointed 'fans' of his who are giving this film poor reviews probably aren't, in fact, fans at all.

This brings me onto 'Hubie Halloween'. A textbook Adam Sandler slapstick comedy flick, that follows a middle-aged man as he's subjected to mockery and bullying by the locals in his town, as a result of his nerdy appearance, and his obsession with health and safety - particularly when Halloween comes around. This year however, mystery ensues as Herbie investigates a number of sinister events that take place on the night of October 31st.

Of all the comedy films in Adam Sandler's back catalogue, Hubie Halloween probably borrows more from 'Murder Mystery' than any other. If 'Murder Mystery' was a spoofy, slapstick take on the classic, Agatha Christie-esque 'whodunnit' genre, then 'Hubie Halloween' is very much a light hearted spoof of the 'comedy horror' style that was famously re-popularised by the 'Scary Movie' franchise - the difference being that any spoofing in 'Hubie Halloween' is of the films of Adam Sandler himself. One of the many Easter Eggs coming in the opening scene of the film - which, without spoiling it, will be sure to please fans of Happy Gilmore!

This isn't one of Sandler's best comedy films, but it certainly isn't one of his worst either. Whilst Hubie Halloween won't have you 'belly-laughing' from beginning to end, there is enough solid material throughout to keep audiences amused. It's a fun, lighthearted piece of cinema that has exactly what it's supposed to have - jokes, slapstick comedy, silliness, wackiness, lightheartedness, and a plot that is interesting and captivating enough to keep us - the audience - interested.

On this basis, I give Hubie Halloween a solid 7/10. It's silly, and it knows its silly. It's wacky, and it knows it's wacky. It achieves exactly what it's trying to achieve, and that's good enough for me. Bravo!

The Handmaiden (2016)

A Modern Classic.

[10/10 · 17 August 2020]

Wow. Just, wow. This is undoubtedly one of the best films of the decade. Every aspect of the film: the plot, the cast, the cinematography, direction, artwork and set design (I believe Wes Anderson was a big influence in all these areas). Everything is sensational - and not in a 'pretentious arty' kind of way either. It truly is a cinematic masterpiece.

How this film did not sweep up at the Academy Awards that year is simply beyond me. Forget 'Best Foreign Language Film' - this should've been nominated in virtually every category. Don't get me wrong, I adored 'Parasite' and was as pleased as anyone to see that film get the recognition it deserved at the last ceremony - but 'The Handmaiden' is even better in my opinion.

The main trailer itself doesn't seem to tell you too much about the characters or the plot, and after watching the movie last night I totally understand why. This is a film best watched without much prior knowledge. The film grabs you from the first minute, and then takes you on an awe-inspiring, sensual journey of feelings and emotions as a result of its distinct unpredictability. You will be thrilled, shocked, touched and totally captivated as the story unfolds - not to mention spellbound, by the sensational visual work at play throughout. Something the director and crew clearly invested so much time and imagination into.

All in all, I give this film a 10/10 rating as I simply can not find a single fault. Bravo!

The Invisible Guest (2016)

A Must-See For Thriller Fans

[9/10 · 5 July 2020]

Going into this movie, I wasn't sure what to expect. The audience ratings were solid, yet the critic reviews were a little underwhelming in comparison, which only goes to show - always trust the PEOPLE over the critics! Thriller movies that fall under the mystery/suspense category are often hit-and-miss. Many of them miss the mark, particularly these days. This is why it's all the more satisfying when you stumble upon one that truly hits the spot, and manages to find that magic formula. 'The Invisible Guest' is a perfect example of that.

The best thing about this film is it's ability to combine plausibility with unpredictability. Often, when Thriller/Mystery movies fall short, it's usually either a result of their inability to keep the audience guessing, or their excessive use of 'dramatic license' which frequently results in glaringly obvious plot holes and all too predictable 'plot twists' that feel forced and lazy. The truly captivating thing about this film is that much of the mystery comes as much from the minds of the characters as it does from the overall plot. It doesn't need to resort to far-fetched storylines or ridiculous twists to be shocking - because the nature of the conversation that takes place between two of the main characters - Adrian Dora and the excellent Virginia Goodman - naturally takes you on a journey (or several journeys) that ultimately leads you down blind alleys and into intensely dramatic territory, without ever having to compromise the believability of the plot.

If you're a fan of those classic unpredictable and tension-filled Mystery Thrillers that keep you sat and guessing on the edge of your seat throughout - such as Seven, Gone Girl, Zodiac etc - then 'The Invisible Guest' is a must-see for you. The more the storyline develops and the mystery builds, the more compelling and captivating it becomes. Plus, just as with any great Mystery Thriller, the ending or 'final act' will leave you just as shocked and gobsmacked as you were after witnessing the climactic final moments of 'Seven'... ("what's in the box?!")

All in all, I give this film a solid 9/10. The only reason it isn't higher is because the 10/10 scores should be reserved for those movies that very much fall into the 'among the best of all time' category. Whilst 'The Invisible Guest' doesn't quite make it into that category, it remains, in my opinion, one of the most captivating, mind-blowing, well crafted and truly shocking Thrillers to reach our screens since David Fincher's 'Gone Girl'.

Do yourself a favour - cancel any plans you may have this evening, stay home, and watch the truly exceptional 'The Invisible Guest'...

You can thank me later.