Steve9920 Reviews

Love Lies Bleeding (2024)

There's Lies in it, and Bleeding too, but for the life of me I never got the Love.

[5/10 · 22 May 2024]

A24 is well known for out there, strange and wacky films, but this one seemed to be pretty mainstream, until it wasn't.

All the usual tropes are there, the hard done by heroin, the enigmatic stranger, the crime boss with a complicated family history and corrupt cop in tow, the villain with an ever forgiving abused wife, and all set up in your typical mid western nobody knows or sees nothing town.

Supposed to be a love story? Well, plenty of "I love yous", but absolutely nothing convincing outside of the cringingly gratuitous lesbian sex scenes. Which all makes it impossible to care a jot about what happens to any of the mostly dislikeable characters presented.

Production and soundtrack is fine, dialogue is mostly believable, cannot fault the acting or directing either. With a half decent story it could have been a good film. However the story meandered on from one bad decision to the next, one coincidence to another, until I guess the director sensed it was going nowhere, rang A24's ideas dept who said " yeh we've had this before. Try some hallucination scenes to spice it up, introduce She Hulk and the fifty foot woman, then have a shot in the head corpse come back to life...job done." It's a well produced B movie with a couple of big name actors, nothing more.

Bringing Out the Dead (1999)

Chokes on its own vomit of daftness, and flatlines like its dialogue.

[3/10 · 29 April 2024]

The life of a burning out disturbed paramedic ( or EMT? Who cares?) should be fodder enough for an exciting, dramatic, action packed, darkly humorous, and reflective film, right? And of course this film has all of that, but unfortunately every aspect is waaaay too overdone, to the effect that from the get go, you are so very aware that that is its mission. Which leaves you watching the film making process, with absolutely no involvement with the stories and characters portrayed. The stories are crazy, the characters are overblown, the humour is set up and forced, everyone is emotional and loud, or whisper quiet and reflective, but never believable.

Seems like they even got bored in the editing suite, so randomly introduced a sequence of smooth head to head transitions at the 49th minute mark, and then later on did a one off, speeded up ambulance sequence at 57th minute, why? Scrorsese knows?

I gave up at the 1 hour mark.

No One Will Save You (2023)

As a film, it works way better than it has any right to.

[6/10 · 26 April 2024]

A home alone alien invasion plot, only one protagonist (aliens aside), virtually zero dialogue, a reported budget barely exceeding $20M, produced by a streaming company ( Hulu at That). This film had no right to be anything other than bad to mediocre streaming fodder. But in reality, it turns out to be a solid, refreshingly different and mostly entertaining sci fi production.

The young actress is outstanding throughout, especially considering she has barely two sentences, but plenty of gruelling physical and emotional scenes to put across. She could only have accomplished this with what must have been brilliant direction, and editing. Likewise the cinematography and effects along with a throbbing, percussive soundtrack keep the pace going for the entire 90 minute runtime.

There is a back story, a beginning, a middle and an end for sure, individual viewers can make of it what they can, it's definitely one of those open to interpretation films. Or you can just enjoy it for the suspense and action alone, plus the emotional drama of the mysteriously reclusive lead (only) character.

I rarely give a film anything above a 7, but rate this a 6.5.

White Bird (2023)

A good film for the whole family.

[7/10 · 18 April 2024]

The headline names of Helen Mirren and Gillian Anderson drew me to this one, the type of film that I would normally pass on, given that it concerns a theme that has probably been done a hundred times before. And of course it has, but not always in such a compelling and effective way. It avoids becoming too saccharine or clumsily tugging at over used emotional strings. Yet, there are sweet moments and powerfully emotional moments, but done so subtly that they creep up on you with great effect. Of course the darkest side of human nature is introduced soon enough, as the daily life of a sleepy French town is unmercifully invaded. Having said that, this is still a film that can be watched by the whole family, as it avoids being graphicly violent, whilst leaving viewers in no doubt as to the nature of evil. There are all sorts of lessons to be learned ( or relearned ) regarding how people choose to behave in ordinary as well as extraordinary situations.

As an added bonus, the cinematography and production are exceptional with an effective soundtrack. The young actors look like they are as experienced as the two much older stars mentioned previously.

Road House (2024)

Connor McGregor gives an Oscar winning performance

[6/10 · 1 April 2024]

Seriously, how else could a normally charming, learned, modest and level headed individual, as soon as the word "action" is called out...change into a psychopathic, glary eyed, ranting, violent lunatic of a character, strutting around bare chested while carrying invisible rolls of carpet under each arm, including one placed between his legs. Such as he skilfully portrayed in this comedy action drama? Apparently there was a scene written where he was supposed to sucker punch an elderly man sitting having a quiet beer at the bar? However Mr McGregor refused, on account that it was such a sickeningly unpleasant idea that no one would believe it!

Jake Gyllenhaal on the other hand, wasted months of physical conditioning to star in this pointless remake of a 80s original. Eye candy for those so inclined but never looked or sounded a right fit for a roll better suited to say, Jason Statham.

The Zone of Interest (2023)

Do not harm the lilac bush.

[7/10 · 13 March 2024]

I like films like this, where you are simply a spectator (witness).

No great spectacle or drama to speak of, not even any conversations that stand out as memorable. But there are points of interest such as the infra red night scenes, though they are simply of a young girl surreptitiously placing fruit in outside locations (true events). There are many films that cover the events on the other side of the garden wall, this is maybe just as powerful because it reveals the everyday idyllic family life running literally parallel to it?

A worthwhile addition to the genre, if only so newer generations can bear witness 80 plus years after the events.

Poor Things (2023)

starts with infanticide, then goes downhill.

[3/10 · 13 March 2024]

Enlightened viewers may well see an artistic masterpiece of cinema, resplendent with mouth watering visuals, an invocative soundtrack and ground breaking acting performances. Full of metaphor, and symbolism, portraying messages of female emancipation and thwarted male ambitions.

On the other hand, it could be seen as exploitative, crass and juvenile, peppered with some moments of humour to help ease the feeling of growing discomfort as the moral envelope is stretched, if not broken. The eye candy, green screen CGI graphics supply less of a dream like visage, more of a nightmarish backdrop to the dark narrative presented.

Almost gave up at the 40 minute mark, but a couple of beers helped me to complete it. Cannot imagine a repeat viewing any time soon.

Spaceman (I) (2024)

makes you think!...what the flip?

[3/10 · 4 March 2024]

I can do Adam Sandler films, I can do dialogue driven no action films, I can do sci fi alternate states of consciousness films. I can even do the pseudo intellectual / philosophical films that only special viewer 'say' they get. No problem at all, for however long it takes, 90 minutes to 180 minutes. But I have a few caveats.

They must have characters that I care about (love or hate), they must have an engaging and believable plot, driven along by good, well directed acting performances, supplied with decent dialogue. As a bonus, good visuals and a soundtrack that suits the mood of whatever scene is playing is generally worthwhile.

I really did try hard with this one ( well for an hour anyway), looked for hidden meanings/ allegory / symbolisms etc, but unfortunately I found nothing of much interest. Space can be lonely, relationships can be lonely, isolation can be lonely, and we all know that a lonely mind can make its own friends (or enemies).

I am just relieved that I am not alone in thinking this is not much above a 3/10 film.

The Iron Claw (2023)

A cross between Rocky, The Righteous Gemstones, and Zoolander.

[5/10 · 3 March 2024]

No disrespect to the real family that this film is supposedly based on, and being a non wrestling fan, and a Brit, I've never heard of them. But this must surely be a travesty of their story?

Not half way in, I decided to treat it as a comedy, because the only thing less convincing than the acting, the dialogue, and the wrestling, were the haircuts. Thereafter I allowed myself the freedom to not a few laugh out loud moments, some of them at the most tragic events. There is something obviously wrong with me...or this film?

Quite honestly the writers and producers of the Righteous Gemstones could have easily turned this into a very capable parody/comedy of the wrestling business deserving of an 8/10 at least. But as it stands, it's a steady 4 or 5, since the period settings and production values were pretty good.

Provo (2022)

Does not try to be anything other than what it is.

[6/10 · 22 February 2024]

Not at all my type of people, grungy, hipster, free flowing, drinking and drugging that is. In fact after 10 minutes I almost gave it up, but something about the main character kept me interested enough to persevere. And I'm glad that I did, as it turned out to be an involving hour and a half road trip film. The chemistry between the two leads was good, humorous, maybe a bit too much banter at times. But their relationship settled down into a journey with real across the spectrum emotions evolving between the two.

The sights and sounds of an American road trip were good, more events of interactions with locals along the way would have been appreciated, but maybe that was curtailed by the budget and or time restraints?

Anatomy of a Fall (2023)

No animals were hurt in the making of this movie...only the audience suffered.

[3/10 · 20 February 2024]

I was first attracted to Anatomy of A Fall by its film poster, a dead body on a snowy background. AAhaa I thought, that reminds me of Fargo, a great 1996 film and one of my favourites. A coincidence to rope people in via the poster? Probably not, but then again?

Of course they could not be more different. One is a beautifully scripted cinematic production, with iconic characters skilfully acted and directed.

Then there is this. A dirge full, melodramatically over acted, pseudo intellectual attempt at a 'crime' who done it, with subsequent court case, featuring mostly unlikeable/irritating characters none of which elicit much in the way of interest never mind sympathy from this particular viewer.

Even the young blind boy eventually loses sympathy tbh, though I did feel sorry for the dog, who managed the whole 2 and a half hours runtime without losing its credibility.

And is that the way the French court system handles a suspected murder trial? Again, probably not, but why let reality get in the way of a bad story.

She-Hulk: Attorney at Law (2022)

The only Marvel TV show i have enjoyed. Its a hoot.

[8/10 · 2 February 2024]

First off, if you watch this expecting some great plot driven marvel saga, then forget it. It is light, and funny, and brilliantly produced, perfectly directed and there are definitely no cringe moments, other than those where the actors themselves acknowledge it knowingly. Lots of turning to camera and addressing the viewer directly in a fun, non condescending way. Ok, some of the characters are unknown and loosely explained, but they are great characters, and used to drive the story along.

I have only watched up to episode 4, so maybe it nosedives the rest of the way, but, I don't care. Its the sort of show that can be dipped in and out of, each episode is entertaining enough.

Visually and effects wise it is a treat. To show the dedication that has gone into it, in one episode (3) a firey ring portal fx appears main shot, the camera pans left to a character full body shot distance, and a tiny firey ring fx is reproduced reflected in her spectacles. Even the most pedantic blooper spotter would not have picked up on it, if they had left it out, unless they worked out optical angles precisely as their proof.

A quality show, and great music too. Even the cartoon end credits are entertaining.

The Inventor: Out for Blood in Silicon Valley (2019)

powerful old men, beguiled by a pretty young fantasist.

[8/10 · 30 January 2024]

This story reached the Uk news a few years ago, but only as a one day headline. So when I came across the mini series 'The Dropout' it attracted me to watch. But after two episodes of an IMO flawed tv production, I decided to watch this two hour documentary instead.

And I am glad that I did. Granted, the first hour is just setting the stage and is a bit plodding at times, but then the interesting and in hindsight (maybe) jaw dropping events start to unfurl.

It has always been a truism that ' a lie is half way around the world before the truth has got its pants on', in the age of the internet substitute solar system for world.

Elizabeth Holmes is a fascinating character, you can make your own mind up as to her true motivations, this documentary will help you decide. The more interesting, and even scary aspect for me, is how such experienced, powerful, rich, (mostly) men could become embroiled in it all, without asking some fundamental question, and getting real answers?

The Man Who Stole Einstein's Brain (2023)

Man took a brain, man kept a brain, makes for a scant story.

[5/10 · 22 January 2024]

1 hour 18 mins could and should have been condensed to an adequate hour. It is a fascinating story, but only because it involves the most famous celebrity brain of the 20th century. Otherwise, it is largely the life story of the man who took/stole it, and basically, well..kept it for way too long with little product. But it is well produced with lots of interviews with mainly the same few people. Lots of photographs of the period which this viewer had not seen before, all very good quality.

The book 'Driving Mr Albert' is far more entertaining and informative on the subject, a journey that is for some reason missing from this documentary.

Pig (I) (2021)

It's all a bit of a mixed menu, turns out to be a snack rather than a meal.

[6/10 · 21 January 2024]

I did not go into this expecting a great deal. Man has pig, pig goes missing, man goes after pig, was all that was promised, and that's the main menu, with a few drops of different sauces to try and spice it up. (end of food metaphors).

It is kind of a buddy movie ( no not the pig ), with Mr Cages helper (Amir) being given a heartfelt and eventually, sympathetic portrayal by actor Alex Wolff. Whilst NC is commendable in the role of the Pigless hermit with a complicated backstory, though to be honest, it amounts to mainly grunting, mumbling and looking forlorn yet determined. So, they set out on a quest into the big city in search of his stolen truffle pig, which is where a number of different elements and backstory lines are revealed. Some of them effectively coherent, but some not so.

It turns out to be a search for other things apart from a pig, which is where the main themes are delivered in a not always a satisfying end product, But there is enough to keep the short 92 minutes run time interesting and entertaining enough to rate it a 6 out of 10.

Self Reliance (2023)

Whimsical, funny, solid character piece, and it has Anna kendrick .

[7/10 · 12 January 2024]

Normally I am circumspect of films who's star also writes and directs, they often turn out to be stinkers, ( like Fool's Paradise for example). But in Self Reliance, Jake Johnson pretty well nails it in all 3 departments. Coming on here to find only 3 reviews in almost a year, makes it plain that this is one budget film that has slipped under most peoples radar for some reason? Which is a bit sad, as how many big budget, big names, so called 'blockbusters' of 2023, have turned out to be real 'emperors new clothes' stinkers.

Here is a yarn, about human connections/disconnections, where is my life going?, what would I risk to change it? Questions.

More than a handful of laugh out loud moments, delivered by a competent script, with plenty of fully fleshed out characters that you care about. It's weird but never wacky, thoughtful but not brooding, Silly but not stupid. The relationships between Tommy and James and then Tommy and Maddy ( and James ) are heart-warming and sincerely presented.

Hopefully, by years end, a lot more people will get to see it and leave reviews.

Napoleon (2023)

One of the greatest historical figures, and they make him look...dull.

[4/10 · 10 January 2024]

Just switched this off at the 52 minute mark. 52 minutes of emotionless, boring, anti climatic film making.

My biggest bugbear? Well, it's the dialogue. Every single sentence is teeth clenchingly trite, boring, uninteresting, mundane. The scriptwriters had the background of the French Revolution, political intrigues and power broking, foreign wars, counter revolutions, historical figures aplenty. Yet not a single speech or sentence or even word aroused any sort of reaction that is above that elicited from any day time soap opera or poor tv drama.

No wonder that Mr Pheonix looked mostly confused, deadpan, dead eyed, and bored within his portrayal of the title character. At times, it seemed, even making some attempts at weak humour and slapstick to conjure up some interest?

So therefore, everything else about this 'epic' movie falls away to dust. Cinematography, soundtrack, battle scenes, CGI, costumes, acting, historical accuracy ( haha ), none of it matters.

Black Bear (I) (2020)

A Challenging and provoking movie, with a bear in it (barely).

[3/10 · 30 December 2023]

Challenging, in that it dares you to sit through the second half, when it turns into yet another theatrical luvies self examination of their profession. The first half was an intriguing drama about relationships, despite it orbiting around 3 unlikeable, self absorbed, arty types.

Then it flips into the self examination section, keeping two of the three but replacing the male fictional role with a male director role, who is equally unlikeable. Then it explores the film making process, which is technically quite interesting. But of course it is the exploration of interpersonal relationships that is the driving theme, though only in regards to the character types involved in the film making field.

So, thought provoking in as much as it makes you think ' Does the industry attract these types, or does it create these types?' Scheming misogynistic director, scheming co star, alcoholic, neurotically paranoid star, drug taking, promiscuous technicians, all of whom exhibit an inability to carry cups of hot coffee without incident.

The only genuine character, was that of the bear who appeared for a few seconds. They did not even show its grand finale scene in which it....who knows? Like the film as a whole, it leaves the viewer to decide their own meaning to what they have watched. The directors/writers obviously did not know.

In the Land of Saints and Sinners (2023)

A solid Liam Neeson film.

[7/10 · 28 December 2023]

An engaging, and thankfully not too long Crime film. Starring a back to form Neeson, some trusty old favourites, and a handful of excellent new faces, plus of course some beautifully wild Irish scenery, shot to perfection. The production did a great job of reproducing the 1974 era, fashion, decor, cars and music.

The plot moved along at a steady pace, with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing. A bit more action would not have been out of place, it is a liam Neeson film after all. Dialogue was believable and fitting to the characters, which were all convincingly portrayed. Though the thick Irish accents were at times difficult to follow, for this viewer anyway, but nothing important was missed.

An enjoyable 1 hour 30 plus, and a solid 7/10. But I was left with the feeling that some judicial rewriting, more intense directing, and a bit more soul, could have made this a 9, and a possible action/drama classic?

The Creator (2023)

Most interesting part was writing this review.

[4/10 · 17 December 2023]

100 minutes in, and I came to the realisation that, no matter how many buzzing futuristic aircraft were introduce, lazer trailed zappy gun fights, big impressive explosions, I just did not care enough to continue watching. Despite such an exciting premise, delivered with some impressive CGI ( given the sub $100m budget), it was a disappointingly underwhelming experience.

The experiential moments were all there to see.

This is a backstory to bond you with the characters ( you dont) This is a cool edgy part ( falls flat) here is some humour to break the tension ( not funny).

Here is a music track to magnify emotions ( nope, fail) etc.

There is not a lot of creativity here. Maybe it was written to a deadline, but it felt rushed, with not a great deal of thought behind it. None of it helped by some of the clunkiest scene transitions ever, so if you take 3 seconds to check your watch ( and you will..often) , by the time you look back, the characters are in a totally different scenario with no explanation of how they got there?

I will watch the final 50 minutes at some point in time, meanwhile, I have a kettle to watch while it boils.

Leave the World Behind (2023)

" I (flipping) hate people", an iconic opening line.

[7/10 · 17 December 2023]

First off, this was brilliantly produced. Netflix must have pushed the boat out ( or in? .. movie reference!). From the opening scene and the following opening credits, it just oozed quality, wetting your appetite for what was to come.

Good actors giving credible performances, with sensible and understated dialogue, and a more or less hole free plot. Great cinematography, with camera angles and movement which were quirky, but in a good way, adding to the flow without being distracting. A good soundtrack, though that depends on your musical tastes I guess.

If there is a weakness, it is that it tended to drag at times. There was never really enough action/thrills/peril to fill the 2 hour running time. Some questions arose which were never answered, maybe not a bad thing, as it leaves the viewer room to ponder different scenarios.

Overall, a good Friday or Saturday night movie.

The Personal History of David Copperfield (2019)

The pleasure is in the waiting, then comes the pain.

[2/10 · 13 December 2023]

Waited 4 years to watch this, as I wanted to be in the mood to fully enjoy it. The viewing time arrived, and all of that pent up expectation dissolved in a flurry of, undirected overacting, inane drivel disguised as humorous dialogue, shaky video camera work, juvenile slapstick action, silly jokes.

Example: a character is awoken from unconsciousness with a liquid, which turns out to be salad dressing (in a medical bottle?), said character is told it is smelling salts, to which he cleverly retorts "somewhere there is a piece of lettuce with ointment on it!" Actually, it sounds funnier when read.

It is not funny, and it is certainly not clever. Just yet another self aware, throw a lot of famous actors into it and tell them to enjoy themselves, some lavish ( if unconvincingly pristine) period sets, lots of money, to produce a theatrical luvies excuse to jump around waving arms and shouting loudly.

At one point, our hero is waylaid on a country lane, the thief making off with his jacket, hero turns, yells, waves his arms, shouting his protestations and makes off after the scoundrel with the music hall comic gait of knees akimbo, hip level, like he is running on hot coals! Gives up after 4 strides and turns despondently away, head bowed. You couldn't make it up? Well, the writers/directors of this obviously did, and got paid for it, to boot.

But, a lot of people seemingly loved it? So what do I know?

Fatman (2020)

Typical B movie action film with a Xmas spin.

[5/10 · 4 December 2023]

But, Fatman is a comedy, you might say. Its not a comedy, believe me there is nothing funny in here, slightly amusing is as close as it gets. Amusing, because it is an alternative take on Santa and all his little helpers, not a good alternative though, a typically American take on the genre. It is really a stock standard, hired assassin going after our hero, who is living a quiet life out in the wilderness, but with a surreal Santa Clause spin shoehorned into the plot.

The whole hitman storyline, which after all, was the backbone of the plot, was not well thought out. His motivations never rang true, what was the hamster thing all about? Why pay $150 dollars for a kids toy plane? Why storm a secure military base when he knows Santa comes to the Post Office every two days? Yes its a unreal premise of a film, but heck, at least try and write in some kind of underlying logic to explain the inconsistencies.

The Holdovers (2023)

For what it is, it is perfect, and it is a lot, in a quiet way.

[9/10 · 2 December 2023]

Old time movie style, like they made in the 60s and 70s, so it is appropriate that The Holdovers is set in 1970. A good well developed plot. Sub stories that keep your interest, because they concern characters that you care about, characters that develop and reveal themselves in interesting ways. Characters that are made believable with a good dialogue, delivered by excellent actors, directed well. Nothing flashy or gimmicky or contrived, simply because a script this good does not require it. The production is flawless, the 70s settings being very authentic. It could have been a bit claustrophobic, being located in a semi deserted boarding school over the Christmas holidays, but it is given room to breath and develop over the two and a quarter hour running time. A great film to end the year on IMO.

Silent Night (I) (2021)

Annoying characters, annoyingly acted, overall, annoying.

[2/10 · 1 December 2023]

Fact is, it is just an awful film. Production values are fine, talented actors, good direction, quality soundtrack and CGI. But the plot is preposterous, the script cringeworthy, the acting sub par bordering on embarrassing.

No amount of sweeping strings, angelic choirs, or renditions of Silent night, could illicit an ounce of emotion ( though it did try, again and again, and..). Likewise, the flood of overacting brought on only the emotion of cringe ( yes that is an emotion, or should be).

I am sure that the aim was to put across several 'messages' in way of parody or satire or existentialism, but it fails for the simple reason that I did not care a jot about any of the mostly unlikeable and cliched characters presented.

You want a Christmas comedy, go watch Click and Collect. You want an end of the world dark drama, go watch Melancholia. You want to ruin your evening, go watch this.