Le_Nausea Reviews

Great White Serial Killer: Fatal Christmas (2022 TV Special)

Sensationalist and lazy

[1/10 · 1 January 2023]

Big news! Apex predators hunt their food! There were a few moments of sensibility but all in all far too much reliance on age old tropes and fear mongering.

The science and scientists featured in this 'documentary' appear pretty sketchy. I've never seen a shark tagged like that elsewhere, I hope it's not as cruel as it looked. Maybe it's because the host is such a cheesy dudebro and the dialogue all sounds scripted. At one point the host reads an article saying that great whites are just like serial killers. It's true that researchers have used the same geographic profiling used in criminology to also study predators in the animal kingdom, but it seems ridiculous to hunt down a great white in order to get revenge. Particularly when humans kill (on ave) 100 million sharks per year, whilst in 2021 there were only 73 unprovoked attacks.

Seems like we're the serial killers tbh.

Sharp Stick (2022)

Loved it

[9/10 · 23 August 2022]

Cute and whimsical, a lil unrealistic at times whilst completely mirroring real life at others. A film with a truly important message for the young women of today. I nearly looked it up before watching, then saw it was Lena Dunham and decided not to, knowing all the anti-feminist backlash she gets when she even breathes on a project lol.

Chloe (2022)

Gripping series

[8/10 · 23 April 2022]

So I can see why this would get lower ratings due to the pacing and style of the series. It's not necessarily for everyone. Without giving anything away; I also understand what other reviews are saying about the ending, however I mostly disagree. Personally I wasn't left feeling like I didn't understand the culmination of events, but I've always appreciated when things aren't blatantly spelled out for the viewer. Adds to the tension.

I was really drawn in from the get-go by the character 'Becky Green'; with all her idiosyncrasies and layers. I don't mean she was necessarily pleasant or even likeable! I was just fascinated by her and wanted to unravel her right from the beginning. I think some of the other characters (especially in some of the smaller scenes without Becky) could've done with a bit more development/ backstory and maybe slightly better performances (in one or 2 cases) but I might be being pedantic, the acting was pretty good. I just think with a few other elements to the story, the whole thing really could've been exceptional. I'll definitely be watching out for Erin Doherty from now on, she truly commanded in this role.

7.5/8 of 10.

Landscapers (2021)

Not perfect but has some STUNNING moments

[9/10 · 18 January 2022]

I think many will be disappointed given that it's advertised as a comedy/ drama - and whilst it has those elements it also has a heavy art house/ film noir style (based on the couples actual film tastes/ escapism). There's ALOT going on visually and metaphorically, it's challenging viewing.

Colman is always brilliant but I thought Thewlis really excelled in this.

I've been noticing for awhile now that HBO is putting out some real gems :)

The Tower (2021–2023)

Quite promising...

[5/10 · 21 November 2021]

Given the subject and cast, this mini series had all the elements! Unfortunately it just didn't make it. At all. I did watch it until the end to find out exactly what happened. I think the actors did their best with what they were given, although I disappointed in Wheelen - miscast perhaps, just too weak. The teen girls actions were OTT, actually many of their reactions were OTT! Hardly ever would I agree with other reviewers in saying something is 'too woke' or 'too PC' but this was exactly that! Such comments likely wouldn't have had this dramatic of an effect, and probably (and very unfortunately) are pretty common. The series did make that point, they just could've done a better job of it.

Bloods (2021–2022)

Wholesome, cute and hilarious

[10/10 · 13 July 2021]

Just finished the first season (wish it had lasted longer!). Can't wait for season 2. I'm confused as to why this is on sky 1 rather than itv or wherever the usual quirky Brit comedies come from (not British myself). Maybe that's why it's been receiving such poor reviews? Or maybe it's just racism :(. Actually got abit of a crush on Malik, he teddy. Lol.

The Genetic Detective (2020)

Not enough emphasis on true crime

[4/10 · 12 January 2021]

I really wanted to like this show, but I may as well have just read Cece Moore's CV - would've been quicker and more entertaining! I really hope her ego isn't as big as this series is making it out to be...

Damned (2016–2018)

Brilliant show

[9/10 · 30 October 2020]

Comedic and also touches on difficult issues. Therefore cancelled! Just like Motherland! BBC can be a bit disappointing..

Criminal: UK (2019–2020)

Second series absolutely delivers

[9/10 · 7 October 2020]

First was a solid 7. The second a solid 9. Magnifique acting as expected. Tres bien.

Dirty John (2018– )

Season one is a 6.5 - 7. Season 2 is the 9-10!

[9/10 · 18 August 2020]

I never knew Amanda Peet actually has the chops for such a role! She was just brilliant - her character's physical and mental decline was just so realistic, I wondered at one point whether they used facial prosthetics or whether the lighting was just horrendous! I think I already knew Christian Slater had it in him tbh... I kinda wish that this story had been a dramatic recreation in its own right, and not tied to the first story of John Meehan (which I also really enjoyed btw - love Briton and Temple). However I understand the theme of gaslighting and/ emotional abuse is popular at the moment, while society comes to grips with all the various ways we might further dissect the patriarchy and it's continuing legacy? Personally, I see Betty as an undiagnosed mental health case... like at one point in the series her friend says "she really needs help" and her lawyer says (and I'm def paraphrasing here) "but she might never change, maybe now she just needs to grow old." I basically saw that scene as how America deals with mental health and particularly that within the justice system. Why bother to even try to rehabilitate when you can just lock them up and forget about em...

Oh yeah and the costumes are great too.

Rosie (I) (2018)

A slow burning day in the life of a homeless Irish family

[9/10 · 9 July 2020]

Great performances, and a very realistic story. Just a day in the life of family who are temporarily homeless. I'm from NZ and it could have happened pretty much exactly the same way here, down to the ridiculous bureaucratic phone call after another, after another with the Mother having to explain her situation to a different person on the other end every single time. That scene just gnawed away at me. The rentable house that only wanted yopros. I won't spoil it any further, just to say that it reminded me of a Ken Loach film and left me with an ache inside that stayed even after it had finished.

Saving Zoë (2019)

A terrible movie that will probably be popular with its intended audience

[4/10 · 16 January 2020]

(If they are shallow teens that is). The storyline is like an OTT thirteen reasons why. The acting is on the average side. If you're gonna be in a movie about grief at least learn how fake cry properly... The main character (Zoe's sister) has zero self preservation, and boyyy is it difficult to watch. As other's have commented, the situation with Jason needed to be have been better planned out. Ugh

The Eric Andre Show (2012– )

PEPPERCORN BING BONG

[10/10 · 29 December 2019]

Peppercorn bing bong! Um You know it's brilliant when half the reviews are 1 & 2s by those who think the show is truly atrocious and half are 10s who get the crazy, wild, intelligent and avant-garde humour. Best show to come out of 'Murica in a long long while. Hopefully it's notoriety doesn't completely ruin the celebrity experience and/or the public bits. Also, I bathe in ranch.

The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open (2019)

Beautiful

[10/10 · 4 December 2019]

First of all I loved the storyline, and the attention to detail - particularly within the dialogue. It's slow realism, so won't appeal to the mainstream audience (maybe). So glad I've seen this. Very surprising for Netflix indeed.

Long Lost (2018)

Also the 10/10 reviews here are obviously fake

[1/10 · 8 September 2019]

They all basically say the same things with words & sentences rearranged! Someone attached to the movie is trying hard lol

Long Lost (2018)

Annoying

[1/10 · 8 September 2019]

I watched this thinking it could be very hit or miss. It turns out it it kinda had all the ingredients for hit, but the actors were amiss. Particularly the male lead. He was holding the whole thing together, we really needed to empathise with him... but I just found him awkward, weak, annoying. We needed more insightful scenes for him, and we just needed him to be a slightly better actor. Maybe the script didn't have much to give either. The guy who played his brother was probably the best actor and the only one who was properly cast (as a stereotypical Christian Bale in Psycho style character). Actually I likely would've stopped watching completely if it wasn't for his character and wondering what he was going to do...

Kidding (2018–2020)

You'll cry and maybe emit a bitter laugh... (if you get it, that is)

[9/10 · 21 August 2019]

It's not a comedy, at all. It's not suitable for children either. This show really has a lot of layers and I found parts of it genuinely difficult to watch. Boy, is Jim Carey giving the performance of his life (and I really thought he was a brilliant Andy Kaufman). The supporting cast are honestly great too. His sister, his father, his son, his ex wife... Perfect casting. Can't wait for the next season. 10/ 10

Foster (2018)

A difficult watch at times, but necessary nonetheless

[8/10 · 17 May 2019]

I really enjoyed watching this documentary; I was 'on the edge of my seat' for most of the storyline's - particularly the young mixed race couple with the cocaine addicted mum who lost her baby in the hospital (although the father later gained custody). I don't know what it's like to be an American but where I live, foster care and the welfare system are a part of life that you wouldn't be aware of unless you were a part of it in some way. So this doco was insightful in many ways. It would be interesting to see if the characters and stories chosen were a small amount of success stories amongst a sea of negative experiences? That's the impression I got from watching - but I do not know the US stats and nor do I know the filmmakers intentions. Perhaps I will find the answer when I do some more reading. The filmmakers evidently chose to portray stories with relatively positive outcomes rather negative ones - and I do hope that helps the people involved and others to find their way out of such difficult situations.

The Wind (II) (2018)

Indie psychological thriller with a hard female gaze

[8/10 · 10 April 2019]

So; just putting my personal bias out there; I love a good psychological indie thriller/ horror, especially one with a historical and/or religious element. Roughly up until the 1900s (not sure of the exact dates but educated guess) it's likely that mental illness was treated as a physical manifestation of the devil, so when we watch a film like this we are wondering whether they are crazy or whether it's IRL demons. I actually prefer lower budget horrors sometimes as I think the plot has to work harder due to the inability to create CGI monsters or whatever (which I'm not that interested in anyway). If you enjoyed the VVitch or the Exorcist you might be into this. The film centres around Elizabeth and her husband Isaac who live in the middle of ominous tumbleweedy nowhere. From the outset, the tale is dark and shocking. The couple were not always alone but had neighbours in the form of a bored and flirty Emma and her downtrodden husband Gideon (the female characters have the most dialogue in this film, so the male characters personalities are pretty much suggested via their views only.) Emma was pregnant but despite Lizzie's efforts to save them, both she and the newborn are dead. The film skips backwards and to the present to explain what exactly has occurred.

I noticed that quite a few reviews complain about the pace, but I really thought it was pretty ample; given that it picks up in speed and has abit too appropriate of a climax. Perhaps it actually picks up too fast, tries too hard to scare us and becomes a little silly (what with all the ghosts and demons running around the actual plains/ the plains of Lizzie's mind). The cinematography, especially at the end is stunning. The performance of the female lead (Caitlin Gerard - whom I've never seen before so my perception can't be informed by anything else) really holds it all together and the strength of the film really lies in the femme centric gaze and her true isolation. 7.5/ 10

Sherrybaby (2006)

Accurate

[10/10 · 8 April 2019]

This is life, this is the cold hard truth and it's difficult to engage with most of the way, despite Sherry's 'optimism' (I'm not sure if that's the correct word, maybe 'coping mechanisms' would be more accurate). If you don't like gritty independent films or you like her in Batman or something then this film isn't for you. I think she's absolutely brilliant in this, and also in the Kindergarten Teacher ( a recent gem).

Amour (2012)

A perfect film

[10/10 · 5 April 2019]

So beautiful and sad... It's real love and I don't have the words to express it

The Miseducation of Cameron Post (2018)

I so looked forward to seeing this but ultimately I was disappointed

[5/10 · 5 April 2019]

So I waited for this film to come out and I even took my partner to see it at the movies (paying is a big deal for me!). I'm surprised it won such a prestigious award actually. The topic is one that can only give in terms of subject and emotion. I actually enjoyed 'boy erased' more and I can't personally relate to homosexuality. I loved loved Sasha Lane in American Honey - she's kinda my dream girl embodied too, heh. Herself and the Native American guy were both really intriguing characters and learning more about them would've fleshed out the film. I do think Chloe Moretz is very talented actor, despite being a palatable expected lead for this kind of film - (see all the other reviews reference 'But I'm a cheerleader'). I think she worked well with what she was given here but overall the film was slow and just meandered along with some moments of insight into the teens emotions. It's certainly a dark subject matter and makes me feel grateful that I truly live in a democratic country (rather than a facade of one). Without giving the plot away... I wonder if they struggled to think of an ending? I'm not the kind of person who wants or needs a happy Hollywood ending or anything like that. Its just that even though it was 2hours in, plot wise it almost felt like we were being cut off in the middle of the story and we were left going ... wait, is that it?!

Meditation Park (2017)

A quietly important film

[8/10 · 30 March 2019]

I hope more films like this are made. Not just because it gave voice to an isolating situation that many immigrant women have lived, but because it was just so surprisingly cute, poignant and funny! I truly loved the gaze of this old chinese lady and the way she continued finding herself, despite such betrayal by a man whom she had given her entire life too. I sometimes enjoy watching the banalities of life tbh. If you're a millennial like me then maybe you're Grandma was little bit of her, if you're older maybe she's your own mother (hopefully you take care of her just as well as her children too - some v heartwarming moments there). I have read + actively observed that some husbands oft have entirely different standards for their daughters than for their wives. This film is a message, a reminder that its never too late to find oneself (outside of who you are to others).

The Unicorn (I) (2018)

So, so hard to watch

[3/10 · 10 March 2019]

I actually really Lauren Lapkus and the trailer was appealing... so yeah I was looking forward to this. It was truly insufferable! Just awkward and not funny. And lame. Just lame. Every character is unlikable and unsexy in their own unique way, I nearly gave up watching halfway through.

Private Life (2018)

This film was really good, can't believe I watched it on Netflix!

[7/10 · 9 October 2018]

Great actors and very appropriate casting of Giamatti and Hahn. I've loved this hysterical Katherine Hahn character ever since the series I Love Dick. Such a treat to see them together, and so natural! There really wasn't one moment where I felt like I was outside of the film looking in. It really captured (how I imagine!) this scenario to be, particularly the unsexiness of trying to get pregnant over and over. I also enjoyed the rebellious commentary from their niece on their art driven lifestyle, reminded me of crap I would've said in my first years at uni, haha. The focus on fertility, pregnancy, IVF cycles et al. can be a lil heavy and will probably deter the male audience (meh) but it is a film that I'd rather watch alone or with friends - not a date movie! Probably unrelated but something something like this actually happens in the film too...