brenden33 Reviews

Fool Me Once (2024)

The Men Are Fools!!

[2/10 · 13 January 2024]

I have read all of Harlan Coben's books and believe he is a great writer. He packages his writing such that every chapter makes you want to read the next chapter. He makes his books a binge feast.

To adapt this writing style needs intelligence and understanding. Both are lacking in this series.

B class movies rely on stupidly to reach dramatic scenes. Someone does something unexpected or stupid and we have the "whats going to happen next?" question. That is not how Harlan writes.

The 3 lead male roles, the detective, the brother in-law and an ex army friend are portrayed as the 3 stooges. As a lead detective his lack of ability to string 3 words together is amazing. As a law enforcer he continues driving after he has blackouts. All the males have baby complexes and need to be cuddled by the strong females in the show. What planet does the screen writer/director think they live on? Do they really think if they portray all women as strong it will happen in real life? It won't because its all in our DNA. Write real or do not write stupid.

There are many holes in this series. A 3 year old daughter who is left with whoever all over the countryside. A detective assistant who is a giggling light relief gay. The only one who has some brains. The leading role who confronts any potential danger without any thought of getting killed. No backup required for her.

Joanna Lumley does a splendid job of her role.

Aporia (2023)

An Unemotional Emotional Turmoil

[2/10 · 11 September 2023]

As others have stated this is not an action packed movie. It is based on emotional connections. Between the lead actors love for each other and taking the audience along with them. This is where the film fails. The husband looks too young and unattractive to have a connection with Judy Greer. She looks too old likewise so the emotion needed between them is strained. It is a casting fail. So watchers know they are just looking at actors. The magic of the story is lost! Whats the point? If its just woke agenda its a shame, life goes on and not like this movie we can not get back the hours we have lost.

Beau Is Afraid (2023)

Thank Goodness Its Ended. The black is Relief

[6/10 · 28 July 2023]

Who will like this?

Its a marathon of a film, 3 hours, so you will have to be fit or crazy to finish. But the finish is freedom. The finish is an escape back to the world of reality. To flowers, perfumes and smiles without consequences.

This film tries to take away everything sweet in life and taint it. This is a bit like too much chili in a meal. Music just too loud to relax with. Extreme sports. Some people crave this. Its a trip into hell but in that dark place after a time I found humor. It will numb you into compassion and just when you start to feel comfortable it will rip you away to another place.

It is the story of insanity. To be in the mind of of a Schizophrenic. And it is sad.

Films today love to preach their message but its usually written to the level of preschooler. This is perfection. A much much higher level. Its message? Feel sad for those with the disease or understand the path you take with heavy drugs.

Alone Australia (2023– )

Owed or Earnt

[5/10 · 5 April 2023]

Contestants were allowed to bring 10 selected items to a remote part of Tasmania to test themselves surviving and be the last person remaining after a none specified time. Unfortunately many brought their hangups as extra baggage. Anyone born in Australia is a first nation person I believe but to hear expectations that because of generations 1, 2 or more ago they are different and should be winners on a survival show is unrealistic. We all are in this life boat Australia together and should help each other for our kids sake. So I have had my say! The show has potential, with plenty of hardships developing and interest.

Chaplin in Bali (2017)

A Home Holiday Movie by Chaplin

[8/10 · 18 August 2022]

Expect nothing but a chance to see some home movies by Charley Chaplin and you will not be disappointed. I thought this was fascinating footage of a time lost to the present. Scenes where the adulation of people throughout the world for Chaplin made him one of the most popular persons in the world.

Silent movies were not restricted by language differences so where ever he traveled he was revered.

This is a chance to see the pressures and personal escape Chaplin sought trying to recharge his inventive humor in a now talkie film world.

Australian Survivor: Grand Finale (2022) Season 7, Episode 24

Tough to Lose

[9/10 · 12 April 2022]

3 worthy contestants make it to the final all with compelling stories to sell their right to the prize. On any day any one of them could win. The jury looks bitter and their questions grill. I thought this was a great final. No long reviews. Family moments. Fast paced. So much better, tougher than the US version. No whinging. This is closer to the true feeling of the original Survivor. Congrats to the producers.

Severance (2022– )

10/10 For the Music Score

[9/10 · 11 April 2022]

It takes many bits make a great show and Severance has them all. Great writing, actors, sets, photography and my favorite, a great musical score. Theodore Shapiro has composed a lilting, mystic score so well fitted to this claustrophobic atmosphere. From the endless white wall corridors to the white snow cover landscape which always seems to be at night. The score is piano light but is never going to stay that way. The drums give this calm punch. I immediately thought of "Westworld"'s score written by Ramin Djawadi when I first heard this and it is similar but is no where as soft. Do a youtube search on these 2 scores they are beautiful.

Australian Survivor: Episode #7.23 (2022) Season 7, Episode 23

Trust me, this is how you should play this!

[9/10 · 4 April 2022]

A great episode of bluff, straight faces and lies. Only one player knows the truth? Like life the rest of us think they know but they don't and neither do we!

Lena's Complicated Machine (2015)

Not 4 me

[2/10 · 28 March 2022]

Well expressed words can allow the mind to make pictures as vivid as the best movies shown. It is why books have never ceased to exist in this video time. Movies or shorts that cheat on dialogue need to be beyond the normal. Charlie Chaplin spent years perfecting his silent films. This film has 3% dialogue in film time. It is trying to rely on arty photography to convey an emotion that never leaves the ground. Lips moving but we never hear the conversation. Terrible atmosphere music. So I was never engaged. Boring. Save you time.

Survivor: Do or Die (2021) Season 41, Episode 11

A Carnival Side Show

[1/10 · 3 December 2021]

Who do they think they are conning? These players are actors scripted to say what the producers have written. Why not just use animated cartoon characters? At least we could have had more action. Some Toon suffering without any real hurt that would provide some entertainment. Viewers want to escape the crap of life in a show like this, not have it ramed down they throats. History is history never going to change, lets make the future happier.

Where do all the clothes the players wear come from? Where does the food that the players eat come from? Where is the skill of survival these players do not have come from? For all peoples of the world its sooooo condescending. Its a con.

Its all conder.

Pig (I) (2021)

Cage get out of the Kitchen!

[2/10 · 18 July 2021]

First up Nicolas Cage can not act, full stop. Once you accept that it falls on the director to get the best out of him. Unfortunately Michael Sarnoski was not in a position to dictate to Cage. Cage was the producer. This film so needed someone to tell Cage what to say and how to deliver it. No mumbles with feeling. Not outrage. I could spend 90 minutes reviewing the ridiculous unbelievable boring chapters in this movie. Every scene has mistakes or should have been cut. Unwashed for days bloodied by a door, a frying pan and bashed in a fight but sits unnoticed in a 5 star restaurant. A single band-aid on his face covered in blood and no swelling around the eyes. So fake. My criteria for a good movie is would I watch it again. If pigs could fly for this tripe. Give it a big miss.

Your Honor (II) (2020–2023)

Byran Bryan Bryan

[2/10 · 4 February 2021]

Don't bother watching this, its terrible. Now I have got that out of the way let me explain. I have only watched the first episode and have read the reviews so I can see whats coming. Its very predictable and has been done before but the story line lost control of the characters. 4 directors over 10 episodes! Wow there was friction somewhere. Episode 1 directed by Edward Berger. How could you direct an introductory episode that is crucial to getting the sympathy of the audience, to develop empathy for the characters, so badly that we all hate them. Read the reviews, we either don't care less about them or hate them and wish the worst. Bryan Cranston is one of my favorite actors, but he can over act sometimes and needs pulling back. That's the directors job. Well forget it, he never makes it happen and so Bryan is a yo-yo of emotions. Up and down. Hunter Doohan was so bad that if he was a 2 year old it may be more believable. Blubbering dribble. It was the directors job to move these two along and not give long pauses of them in self contemplation. It was time for action. The holes in the story line were way too big. Impossible and stupid. Sack the writers. That's enough of me wasting my time save yours and avoid.

News of the World (2020)

Captain Captain Captain

[4/10 · 20 January 2021]

Tom Hanks must be dreaming captains. From Captain Phillips, Captain Krause, Captain Sully to his latest Captain Kidd. Practice makes perfect, and he was the only one making this movie worth watching. The director must have had a bad case of COVID19 during its making. The bad acting of the co star, Helena Zengel should have been picked up and corrected. She was wrong type cast to begin with. The plot holes in the script were disappointing and show the rush to get this film out under duress of COVID. If you like Hanks then this is an easy watch.

WandaVision (2021)

Enjoyed the Credits More

[2/10 · 17 January 2021]

The credits are the longest I have ever seen. This appears to be the problem with this show. Too many hangers on and not enough original content. This show so far is a weak copy of the "Honeymooners" and "Bewitched". If you are going to make a parody it has to be better, smarter, contain some originality. This fails. If you are sick of all the commercials on TV then this is just a little better.

Unhinged (I) (2020)

Falling Down Off the Chain.

[8/10 · 19 November 2020]

In "Falling Down" Michael Douglas played the frustrated person who had had enough of traffic, with an almost gentlemanly feel. But that was 1993 and how divided we have become. Unhinged 2020 is an all or nothing, suck you in, violent ride of a film. Reviewers who give it 1s 2s etc have been hit between the eyes and are feeling this movie. They may not like what they see but they sure are feeling it. Russell Crowe deserves an Oscar for his performance and carries the film. Is it for everyone? No. Personally I did not mind that the PC (Politically Correct) barriers were gone. I could understand when you lose it that is what happens. Others will squirm and shout disgust. So if you just want Disney go there this ain't for you..

Defending Jacob (2020)

Enjoyment for the Slow Of Mind

[2/10 · 22 June 2020]

First up I only watched the first two episodes. After the 2nd I could not put up with the stupidity of the star role any longer. It is a slow show with obvious padding like having to watch a school friend sing a song on some social media that added very very little to the story. The slowness I can sit though but the father a district prosecutor who early announces to his boss his expertise is dumber than a drug addict on a trip. The mistakes he makes and then the son reminds me of a keystone cops silent movie. It is that bad. Surely there is someone out there who can vet this crap. It has had money spent on it which you can see in the production but the writers, directors need help. Save your mind and try something else.

Amazing Stories: The Cellar (2020) Season 1, Episode 1

My Goodness Steven!

[2/10 · 28 April 2020]

Executive producer Steven Spielberg's reputation has diminished in my opinion if he is putting his name to this. I have only watched the first episode of this series as it has the highest rating, but if this is the best forget the rest. Over acting by Victoria Pedretti. The dialogue is 6 grade standard. Character development what is that? Story amazingly bad. Watch "The Time Traveler's Wife" 2009 for something much better and more enjoyable.

Better Call Saul (2015–2022)

It just keeps getting better and thats unheard of!!

[10/10 · 25 April 2020]

Someone is responsible for making this such an outstanding show, year after year. The intelligence in dialogue, empathy for characters, twists and expectations are genius. Breaking bad, The X Files are 2 other badges of brilliance. We are privileged to be living in this time as we might have been if living during Shakespeare. This may seem over the top but the scores are on the board, Vince Gilligan. Please correct or remove if I am wrong!

The Rhythm Section (2020)

Ridiculous, ridiculous & ridiculous

[2/10 · 10 April 2020]

Scene after scene finish as ridiculous. Ie Let a drug addict prostitute live with you and have free access to all the private details you have knowing the information can get you killed. learn to swim by not drowning in a freezing lake. 3 men befriend a women who has a vile character for what? The final Bad Girl tune playing at the end while Blake Lively swaggers was so childish what was the director thinking? Answer nothing.

Walk Run Cha-Cha (2019)

The dance of life their life

[8/10 · 9 March 2020]

Who is this film for? I guess there are plenty of realty tv shows like dancing with the stars etc that can show off dancing a little better over a longer time but this snippet of a couples life tied into a dance is moving. Very well edited and directed it includes the rough edges we all go through, so as a whole it is not perfect but enjoyable. Worth the 20 minutes.

Mr. Nobody (2009)

Rainbow romance.

[10/10 · 9 October 2019]

This movie is many things however romance shines the brightest for me. Brilliant, outstanding, a contender for inclusion in the top 10 best ever films, however with a but. Can you relate to it? All films try to take you on a ride. Do you catch the train or drive the car or just run? Choices are the premise of the film that lead to the 3 loves of Nemo. Have you been one of the 3 loves in Nemo's life or his parents or are you a watcher like the reporter or hypnotist? First loves are the strongest and the hardest to hold. The writer links water to romance and from the swimming pool to the car accident into the river. Being honest and letting yourself be immersed in love is symbolic. Like all romances there are rocky moments to make the final bonding all the more wonderful. The science fiction elements here just obstruct the love beautifully. This is not an action film. It is a long film so take a break, like the films of old and have an interval. Grab a drink and reflect on your loves.

The Man in the High Castle (2015–2019)

PC or propaganda?

[1/10 · 30 December 2016]

My expectation and what was delivered could not have been further apart. After just watching two excellent series in "WestWorld and "The OA" and to then view this is like jumping off a cliff after watching a glorious sunset. The dialogue is mind numbing. People arrive in a scene only to leave again without doing or saying why they are there, but just to provide banter for the main characters. Juliana Crain's sister dies in front of her after being handed life threatening film footage yet she stands looking at the scene without any sense of danger seemly invisible to the 8 secret police surrounding the area. It just goes on and on, every scene. They had two ways to portray the change of Government in the USA but it chose one so contrived and so PC (politically correct) as to lose any semblance of intelligence. Example, do any relatives of former German SS officers brag about their relationship? I do not think so but in this changed history it is OK for former or relatives of Americans marines to be proud of their past. I do not think this would be allowed to happen. The portrayal of Germans with dogs, snarling, is all 1940s yet it is supposed to be 1960s. The American girl throwing Japanese men in a form of Judo is a joke. Japanese men are very proud social people and to allow that to be displayed to a group and by a women of a defeated nationality. Noooo.

Conclusion, these ratings are rubbish. All rigged by production interests, avoid.

Faults (2014)

Just Beautifully Crafted and Enjoyable But Not for Everyone!

[9/10 · 20 July 2016]

Who will like this movie? Well all those who can remember and liked the Rod Serling 1960s TV series "The Twilight Zone".

Your traveling thru another dimension, a dimension not only of sight and sound but of mind. A journey into a wondrous land whose boundaries are that of imagination.

The plod of the Twilight Zone series revolved around an ordinary Joe or Jane and a situation that took them to somewhere out of normal. In Faults its "Ansel" played by Leland Orser a 50s writer/expert on cult control. He is a battler who is down on luck and this is his story.

Set in the 1970s it sets the scene of awkward nativity early, but it is wonderfully acted and tightly scripted and most watchers who can go with the flow will be anxious to see where this story is going. So do NOT read to many reviews which will spoil this surprise ending.

It is a lovely blend of dark humor, retro personalities, intelligent dialogue. A classic in my book. If you have not seen The Twilight Zone then watch this, its better.