athanass Reviews

Let the Dance Begin (2023)

They forgot to bring the jokes

[3/10 · 8 August 2023]

"Let The Dance Begin" ... hmmm .. a comedy film where they forgot to bring the funnies.

The director and the writers need to explain what they thought they were doing. They either don't know anything about comedy, or they had a brain spasm.

The expression on the face of the male lead in the poster, gives more giggles than his entire performance in the movie. In many scenes, he has many perfect opportunities to create explosive laughter, but the script or direction did not allow this.

And there are indeed many threads that could easily be woven into a really funny movie, a fake funeral, a jealous wife, a playboy husband, an old affair, (No spoilers as the trailer shows this) but there are many other situations where the audience could be rolling in the aisles with laughter ... but NOPE.

European films can be hilariously funny ... this ain't one of them.

SEAL Team (2017–2024)

High Action show with a raw Heart

[8/10 · 7 March 2023]

SEAL TEAM - a "Yippee Ki-ae" action show .. that slowly ... delicately ... exposes the raw heart of real people .. and we hardly know this is happening ... until it does.

SEAL TEAM is a show that charges into every possible world conflict you can imagine. We see weapons and tactics that will entice every computer gaming fan, we see sophisticated support systems that provide "overwatch" to the actions and we see the almost superhuman abilities of these highly trained individuals.

But peppered through these "Sgt Saunders" events, we also see:

• effects of PTS
• challenges of making and keeping personal relationships
• conflicts between political aims and strategic objectives
• the lives of veterans with severe injuries that do not appear until many years later
• how people cope with conflict within a team
• that leadership "can" be developed, but requires something special to excel
• what does someone do when they are no longer able to do the ONLY thing you have ever done their whole life
• what happens when someone gets ... old

SEAL TEAM is a gangbuster show about military engagements with people of ( insert military group of choice .. SAS - GREEN BERET , etc.) But it also exposes us to the softer, darker and more painful side of the "human face" that is often hidden behind all the guts and the glory. See less.

What's Love Got to Do with It? (2022)

A fun Rom-Com that bypasses the hard stuff

[6/10 · 20 February 2023]

There are good things about this film. See it if you are looking for a light-hearted experience.

It shows some good parts of "assisted" marriage very well, while also acknowledging how these traditional practices are coming under stress by modern culture.

A BULLSEYE.

The line " .. it must start with a simmer .." is just beautiful.

Another BULLSEYE.

They started showing how the positive aspects of "assisted" partnering can be hugely beneficial in "Western" culture.

Another BULLSEYE.

I like the way the female character was portrayed as someone who chases career and recognition above all else, then suddenly looks at her life, and her thoughts go to other things. Something (I think) that resonates with much of modern western society.

Another BULLSEYE.

So the movie started to take me down a deep and sensitive path about relationships, family pressures and expectations, the clash of cultures, acceptance, risk and courage. The underlying concept that people will "grow into Love" ... as heralded by the title ... made me expect a particular kind of movie. Then it changed.

They took a "stock standard" turn and cover everything in sugar syrup, whipped cream and choc sprinkles that completely overturns the whole build up. A school child could have written the last 20 mins.

. Many people will love this film, and there are some really good parts. It opens a door of great possibility with potential riches of emotion, cultural stresses and conflict, and just takes a little peek inside.

I would love someone to make a movie where this door is thrown open with abandon. Until then, enjoy this little Rom-Com.

Avatar: The Way of Water (2022)

Same story - just under water.

[5/10 · 9 February 2023]

The first Avatar was a masterpiece. The storyline, the CGI, the actors, everything was top rate and it deserved to praise it got.

So if you want to know what this movie is about - without actually watching it - just re-run the story with the same good guys and the same bad guys (yep, even the dead ones) and move everything to the ocean instead of the jungle ... and bingo ... there you have Avatar: The Way of Water.

It is not a bad movie, in fact it's pretty good, especially the Aussie accents of some of the whalers. It's just not ORIGINAL.

Worth seeing on a discount ticket if only for the special effects.

Amsterdam (2022)

Disjointed at times - but a powerful cast

[9/10 · 12 January 2023]

Many of the actors in this movie only play roles they WANT to play - they do not need any more fame. This should tell you something about the film.

Christian Bale and Margo Robbie can read the back of a bus ticket and I would pay to see it. Add to them the other "A" grade stars like Anja Taylor-Joy, Matthias Schoenaerts, Taylor Swift, Zoe Saldana, Rami Malek, Robert De Niro,and you can see the weight of talent.

Starting out as a "Whodunit" this movie twists and turns into a powerful portrait of aspects of power and control.

What shocked me most of all was the final 15 seconds where the truth behind the plot is highlighted.

I already had a rough idea of the pre-WWII situation in the US, but this film hammers the story home with fearful energy.

American Psycho (2000)

Christian Bale is Outstanding

[9/10 · 1 December 2022]

Make no mistake, there is a stellar cast in this movie, but shining brighter than a thousand Suns is - Christian Bale.

This was perhaps his "breakout" movie as more and more complex roles came his way following on from American Psycho.

If you can perhaps read the book then you will get a much deeper understanding of the complexities of the film and how good Bale's performance really is.

What starts as a simple movie about the uber-rich and uber-entitled wealthy young of the upper levels of American society, slowly evolves into a mind bending foray into sex and violence and murder, all cloaked in a shroud of disbelief and normalcy.

The Lincoln Lawyer (2022– )

Was a 5/10 for me - supporting cast pushed it to 6/10

[6/10 · 28 June 2022]

I tried REALLY hard to like "Lincoln Lawyer", but it was just So-So, for me.

David E. Kelley is one of my favourite writers, with shows like ... LA Law - ALLY McBeal - Boston Legal .. he is at the top of any list, and he does a great job with this show.

Neve Campbell looks amazing and plays her part perfectly. Great to see fellow Aussie Angus Sampson break out of his normally comedic roles.

There are some really good storylines and a terrific supporting cast. The show is well setup for a 2nd series.

But I do not find the lead actor, Manual Garcia-Rulfo, convincing in the role. I found his performances flat and unemotional. He is pretty much monotone in every dialogue

Regardless of "my" opinion, watch it and decide for yourself.