rossarntson Reviews

Leave the World Behind (2023)

I want my 2 hours back!

[5/10 · 14 January 2024]

This is the reason to read reviews PRIOR to watching this waste of time film. Seems like they were"trying" to mimic Blumhouse storytelling style and failed miserably. It's broken into chapters that barely relate to each other, and I think it was an afterthought to try and save the continuity. Netflix and Obama should be embarrassed AND ashamed to put premium actors into a sub par catastrophe.

The writers must have pitch this as "I have 5 ideas that barely relate to each other and are based on conspiracy theories that no one has proven. I'll figure out how to tie them all together as we film." Then forgot how to end it.

The Pope's Exorcist (2023)

Potential series?

[6/10 · 18 August 2023]

Needs a little polishing if they want to make a grander impression on the US market. I like the duality of the church belief systems and how it has created its own political duopoly, thus creating a secondary tension between the characters.

Even with a powerful performer as Russell Crowe, who knocked his character out of the park, the support characters needed more developing. This in turn, would give the audience cause to be rooting for them as well. A few parts seemed a bit disjointed as if added as an after thought, to support something that didn't need supporting.

But all in all it was watchable and they left it open for a sequel... which I would watch.

The Witcher (2019– )

From a 9 rating to a 3

[3/10 · 10 July 2023]

This series had great potential, but seems to have lost its heart and direction. Who I thought was the main character (Geralt) Now seems to be a milk toast supporting character. What happened?

The show runners and writers are not good enough to manage so many sub plots. The story is so fragmented it became boring. It's now reduced to the level of Willow and Rings of power.

I've heard all the rumors and rhetoric about Henry Cavill leaving because of the storyline not being true to originals and although I haven't read the original material, it's obvious something is amiss. I'm viewing this without any expectations and still find disappointment in the last two seasons, especially season 3.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds: The Broken Circle (2023) Season 2, Episode 1

Poor start!

[5/10 · 28 June 2023]

Very lame plot with Spock finding his emotions? Really?! Having Captain Pike unavailable for the entire first episode! Really? Nurse Chapel is a super soldier. Really?

Season 1 was borderline, I had hopes that this one would find it's footing., not sure that's going to happen.

Perhaps instead of poorly recreating the wheel, you should bring some show runners, writers, directors and consultants that are familiar with the plot lines, characters and history of 60 years of Trek.

After all, it seems building upon an existing foundation of longtime viewers is the sensible thing to do. Compared to desperately trying to appease a uninterested market that don't have the financial means to support you.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (2022– )

Episode 3 and still empty

[4/10 · 10 September 2022]

I had very high hopes for this series, but regardless of the name, sets, costumes or cast...it still lacks direction and dimension. 4 stories interwoven with no clear common thread. Unfortunately I've watched this far because there was nothing better on, now it's time to admit that my free time is far more important than this.

I'll equate much of the let down to poor writing by writers who really didn't research the Tolkien genre and actors who seem lost in performing with the emptiness provided by CGI. Akin to seeing it in a lot of special effects movies, where the actors are stiff and out of character, unable to relate to a room covered in green.

Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)

Can I have my money back?!

[4/10 · 9 July 2022]

After the last Thor, I was hesitate to see this one. Bad writing, immature direction and horrible humor was allowed to be repeated yet again! I'm not sure of the direction Marvel Studios is going, but it seems they are mass producing and just going after the money and to hell with storyline and quality. OR they've overstretched themselves and simply can't create the volume of "quality" production they've committed to.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (2022– )

What are they trying to do?

[5/10 · 20 May 2022]

The plots are fairly unique and original but the execution and overall writing is weak. Captain Pike came through as a good strong character on Discovery, but here they seemed to have castrated him. Similar to what they did to Captain Picard. If you are trying to push through some sort of narrative regarding male leaders, then change to a new character, not milk toast existing ones. Personally I have no problem with good leading females, like Janeway...so create one if that's your problem.

These characters are leaders who are responsible for thousands of lives and they need to be strong, bold and bigger than life! Male or female! Go back and look at Enterprise, they tried to portray Captain Archer as a "down home country captain" and the audience wasn't buying it. Luckily it only took two seasons for writers to realize it and start to harden him into a real leader, still a little late...you already had lost market share that couldn't be convinced to comeback.

These days, there are too many choices and you may not get two seasons before your audience jumps ship.

Reminiscence (2021)

So so

[5/10 · 21 August 2021]

The plot was inspiring and Lisa Joy had a great idea and a great cast, but not the talent as director to execute properly. Maybe 5 to 10 years from now she'll be ready, but this was too complicated of a plot and even she lost sight of her vision.

Infinite (2021)

Disappointing

[5/10 · 26 June 2021]

Nice idea and good cast and director. Seemed like a great combination, but things didn't click and fell flat.

The New Mutants (2020)

Wow, that was a bad movie

[3/10 · 23 April 2021]

It baffles me, when a studio can spend $67 million on something like this. Somebody with authority ok'd this for release. Yes, I realize they did a lot of reshoots, but did they make it better or worse? Because it couldn't have been much worse. Such a waste of good casting.

The Nevers (2021–2023)

So far interesting

[8/10 · 19 April 2021]

With the second episode it's starting to feel like a 19th century X-Men and even includes a Ms Professor X in a wheelchair! Has potential and I'm hoping for more creativity as it progresses. However, even though story is a bite trite, the acting is extraordinary!

Star Trek: Discovery: That Hope Is You, Part 1 (2020) Season 3, Episode 1

Now THIS is Star Trek!

[8/10 · 21 October 2020]

Far better than seasons 1&2. There seems to have been significant upgrades in the writing. Bravo!

A West Wing Special to Benefit When We All Vote (2020 TV Special)

Why only HBOMax?

[9/10 · 20 October 2020]

This was too important and too poignant to be limited to HBO Max. Should have been on public TV for all to see.

Upgrade (2018)

Sequel?

[7/10 · 7 February 2020]

A must for a sequel! This has the potential for at least a trilogy.

9-1-1: Lone Star (2020– )

It HAS to get better

[5/10 · 4 February 2020]

Besides the over wokeness and high school writing, I'm almost positive they don't use actual firefighters for consulting. The situations may be true, but their methods are in no way technically accurate.

There's something here though, they just need to get out of their own way and talk to some actual firefighters and get real stories and solutions.

Star Trek: Picard (2020–2023)

Exceptional.

[7/10 · 27 January 2020]

With the dismal release of Discovery, my expectations were not very high for Picard...I was terribly wrong and pleasantly surprised.

Although the first episode was packed with way too much info and minimal character development which left the episode a bit disjointed. I was still quite pleased. I'm intrigued to see what they do with reintroducing of other Star Trek characters and dearly hope they don't try any of their Discovery tactics.

Hellboy (2019)

Child cannibalism?

[3/10 · 30 December 2019]

I think they stepped over the line with the child cannibalism. Overall a poor to midland movie.

Jack Ryan (2018–2023)

Grabs you and hangs on!

[8/10 · 13 September 2018]

Exceptional series. Caught my interest from the first episode and builds to a great climax. The best rendition of Jack Ryan to date.