clarkmick33 Reviews

Corner Office (2022)

A Movie for those who have ever worked in corporate hierarchies & are on a mental spectrum.

[8/10 · 18 February 2024]

I did not know what to expect from this film but had seen Apple TV "Severance" so was expecting something along the same lines. However I was refreshingly surprised at the nuisances and tone. The office seems a lot more oppressive and the setting and tone are masterpieces in their own right! Such an extenuation of the corporate office environment possibly of the 1990/2000,s.

I loved the introductory monologues that revealed the thought patterns of the main character and his strategies that any on a spectrum of some sort could relate to when entering a social environment.

The room.was a great representation of a mind space. The colleagues a great representation of the close minded colleagues of the 90 and 2000,s. Thankfully I have observed many an office environment changing. However Office politics always exist and this was a great reflection of that.

For those who have not worked in a corporate environment or understand life on a mental spectrum you may not appreciate the nuisances of this slow burn. But for the rest of us it was an amazing piece of cinema!

Rebel Moon - Part One: A Child of Fire (2023)

Warhammer Light!

[6/10 · 11 February 2024]

I really felt Zack Synder was doing a demo for trying to be on a future Warhammer directors casting call! And I could see that it would work .... In the movie we're tech priests, bolter pistols and the brutal kinda Steam punk like vehicles and craft! Oh and a dead king and Roman like imagery!

The movie tried squeeze to much in a movie this could have easily been two movies and should have been! The start had a good pace but the setting was a little to rural for an advanced world!

The second act was way too rushed - gathering the team and getting a bit more fleshed out characters and this should have been the rest of the movie but it had to rush to the final act which was a visual spectacle!

Some of the setting and costuming was off putting and threw things out! My was the general wearing a suit and tie in the end like some Peaky Blinder? The Asian lady had a full on Korean warrior get up ... some fought withou shirts like all world had the same climate?! It was just weird ... also the general used a wooden mace in combat?! Silly. It was a dual thing for me one part amazing another part a Mis-mash that does not quite come together. However I am giving it an extra star for being better than any of the three recent Star Wars movies!

Kandahar (2023)

Refreshing - Not a marvel superhero in sight!

[8/10 · 5 July 2023]

People seem to be really dumping on this BUT GIVE IT A CHANCE!

I think it was one of the better Gerald "B Movie" Butler movies - it had a great international cast.

It was pure 90s war movie nostalgia that is so REFRESHING in this Disney remake, Marvel dross movie universe.

I thought the action sequences were exciting and well done. The scenery was also very well done and nice to look at.

I liked how they really displayed the different Islamic perspectives and groups - showing they are not just "the enemy" but are made up of a lot of different groups and political structures.

I enjoyed it and The Covenant- and found it a great Sat night action movie!

Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)

No sure why this is rated so high? Bots Maybe

[4/10 · 12 May 2022]

This is one wacky film to say the least. It's basically Michelle Yeoh just fighting with everything everywhere but the plot is nonsensical and nuts! You just get a headache from trying to follow along.

The action sequences are alright but that's all that really keeps the film together. It's a visual roller coaster and I left feeling Ill.

The Matrix Resurrections (I) (2021)

Half Good Half Bad

[5/10 · 1 May 2022]

Overall half this film felt like a great expose into what happened in the "real" world (red pill world) after the events of the Matrix trilogy - it helped the fans understand a few more details of the machine world and how humanity adapted. Especially the synths.

However Neo introduction back into this world and the meta narrative using the trilogy as a game and the character changes were not such a easy pull to swallow(pardon the pun).

The events at the end of the film also while visually amazing felt hollow and special powers seem to be pulled out when convenient. Sort of turned into a superhero movie. Which is not a good thing.

Overall, it was great to get more explanation on the world of Matrix but it came with a executive created money grab story! Boo.

American Gods (2017–2021)

S1 Good S2 Bad S3 Ugly

[3/10 · 22 February 2022]

S1 Set up an interesting premise Old Gods vs New. Shadow Moon with some unknown power gets caught up in this war. His undead wife following his "light" .... What's it all add up too? Unknown!

The black woman character sexy time felt ill placed and kinda just placed in for eye candy she does not seem to be relevant to the story.

Maybe S2 will explain things.....

Well no, things just get messer.,. The old gods come together .... Maybe we will see the mighty scary Russian god of death do some damage ..... no ..... maybe Thor .... No .... At least we can understand more about Shadow Moon ... no ... maybe he and his wife will be reunited!! ... no The Gods just seem to wander on and off the season ... there does not appear to be any urgency or threat! This season should have been called the Ballard of Mad Sweeney because that's all we really get explained and they kinda wrap up his story. Looking forward to a big fight with God powers .... Nope all you get is Shadow Moon fighting a tree .. hahaha

S3 ... more talking, more of nothing happening.

Companion (2021)

This is one Batsh#t Crazy Movie

[1/10 · 27 January 2022]

Seriously this is the worst movie I have seen for a long time. It had elements that would work but my God is it one messed up plot. There are ghosts, cowboys, twisted preachers and wacky western tracks playing between shots.

The editing is ALL over the place ... one minute running from ghosts, then trying to shoot ghosts with guns?! Why? Ghosts can punch you?! Apparently? The acting is all over the place... it's one mess of a film!

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)

A weird mix of Marvel and Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon

[5/10 · 13 November 2021]

As far as Marvel being a fantasy film they generally like to be grounded in reality of history of the world and the current setting... but this one is really really going into the fantasy setting of parallel universes of Chinese myth. So for me it kinda felt totally fantastical and not really connected to any of the other Marvel universe.

The fight and chorography of the action scenes is impressive and entertaining and if a movie could be watched on that basis alone then this would do the job - unfortunately for Shang Chi you actually need a compelling story with interesting characters.... but what we got was the MASSIVELY overdone .. evil father and son who seeks redemption arc... other supporting characters were pretty much all one dimensional - either good or bad, black or white.

I also felt that Samuel Liu was miscast in the main role... If Donnie Yen was younger he probably would have done a better job. Samuel just does not have the screen presence.

Its entertaining for the kids but I think the adults will be bored.

The Dark Knight (2008)

Timeless Masterclass of Batman vs Joker

[10/10 · 18 October 2021]

This is a Batman movie done right - gritty, dark and unsettling with Batman being pushed close to break his moral code by the Joker.

All actors and actresses played their parts well but Heath Ledger really deserves an Oscar for his unhinged but very natural looking take on the Joker.

The setting, music and cinematography were all top notch.

I think this will be the pinnacle of Batman movies for a long time to come.

Halloween Kills (2021)

Tone all over the place!

[5/10 · 16 October 2021]

The tone of this movie seemed to be all over the place ... the first part seemed campy and even cheesy.

Then we are introduced to randoms who had loose links to the Halloween franchise - all are forgettable and hard to remember the relevance.

The kills are gruesome and satisfying for a slasher flick. Although most victims seem incompetent and ridiculous.

The problem I had was the instead of the stalker and sneaky approach of Myers as in the past .. he just takes everything on .... In a non-scary way ..... almost like a kinda mask wearing terminator.

It's ok movie but it ultimately feels like a direct to video movie.

Copshop (2021)

A Assault on Prescient 13 B movie

[6/10 · 16 October 2021]

The is a good solid "A Assault on Prescient 13" B movie. It's got a top quality B movie cast lead as well with Frank "cast me in anything" Grillo and Gerald B-movie Butler.

It's a bit slow going at the start but it gets a good pace about half way through. Some nice wordplay between the cast.

Some cheesy stereotypical cop moments

But all in all a good Sat night popcorn flick.

Dune Drifter (2020)

It could be worst!

[5/10 · 16 October 2021]

You could tell what they were going for with the title - it has no relevance to the movie except to get Dune enthusiasts to get it a go thinking it has some relevance to the Dune IP ....to save you time It does not!

It's low budget but has some of that early Star Wars charm for the space combat ... my advice if you need a weak sauce sci fi salad enjoy the first 20 mins - skip the next 40mins and enjoy the last 25mins ... it's mildly entertaining this way.

Dune World (2021)

Utter Garbage

[1/10 · 16 October 2021]

I think I would rather watch grass grow than this fan made loose concept film.

I will give it A for effort but an F for everything else ...

Do not do it!

The Ice Road (2021)

Enjoyable Action Flick - Liam at his best

[7/10 · 14 October 2021]

I note a lot of criticism of the movie was related to the unrealistic nature of trucking. But please pause reality for a bit and just enjoy the ride.

I found the actors played their parts well and Liam gruff portrayal as Mike and his relationship with his onscreen disabled brother was great to see.

The CGI was a bit hit and miss - some great shots and then some kinda fell through the cracks ... Setting and camera work was quite well done. Loved seeing Fishbourne as well!

Overall a thoroughly enjoyable Sat night movie.

The Night House (2020)

Quite an original concept

[7/10 · 14 October 2021]

I liked this quite original concept of a ghost story. It kept me guessing until the reveal which was good.

Although the ending was ambiguous and certain "rules" of the plot are confusing. I suppose the story was built upon the quote about the abyss starring back at you?

It would have been more satisfying to have the movie reveal more about the unknown ... but it's great they left you with a sense of the unknown.

The Colony (2021)

Mud-world

[4/10 · 13 October 2021]

Well I think I just watched Mudworld ... the low budget follow up to Waterworld.

The start of the movie was go me interested and the premise started well enough but then it gets confusing and everything gets covered in Mud!

It's not exactly clear why the movie is based on some mudflats? Why did the astronauts choose to land there? IS the earth been turned into a mudflat?

Interesting situation comes up later but is resolved in a weird way. Not sure why the father did not want any survivors to come back to earth ... sort of selfish. Some humans speak English randomly. Then things get sorted out with violence .... So what was the moral of the film? Clear as mud!

Great White (2021)

Awful Low Budget Jaws

[2/10 · 13 October 2021]

This film runs on such a typical template. In this woke environment you know pretty much who will survive.

The acting is cheesy and for some reason the Japanese wife hates her husband and immediately wants to get with the islander dude.... Weird.

Really bad shark graphics - seriously they should fire the FX peps The story template was EXACTLY the same as another Aussie movie called Black Water Abyss with the same outcome the only difference was the croc instead of a shark!

Free Guy (2021)

Targeting a specific target audience

[5/10 · 5 October 2021]

Maybe most of the reviewers here were from a specific target audience which are those into online gaming .... I suspect half the references would go over the head of others. I am a gamer and found the jokes mildly amusing but overdone. Reynolds started to ramp up from his guy character into Reynolds ..,. The problem I have with Reynolds is that he is the same character with the same voice in every movie ... he is not an actor but a projection of himself.

I would have liked more interaction of Guy in his virtual world using some skills but it was really focused on his obsession with a female gamer.

The featuring of gamer product placement and twitchers was off putting, as were the woke statement such as "toxic white culture" and a few others.

It was ok as a Reynolds comedy if you like him but I think he is a bit over done and one dimensional to carry future movies!

Don't Look Back (2020)

Good Student Project C mark

[1/10 · 20 August 2021]

Good Student Project C mark

But please do not try to release this to some desperate studio exec ....

... oh fk you did not listen to me did you!!!

Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard (2021)

Trying Too Hard to be Cool

[2/10 · 12 July 2021]

Positives: there were a few moments that got me smirking but far too few in its run time for me to enjoy.

Having Morgan Freeman as a bad guy is always fun and subverts expectations

Negatives: Salma may be a joy to look at but by golly her loud voice gets irritating after 5 mins ... and it does not stop for the whole movie

I know bad language was played here for laughs but seeing who can drop the f bomb the most was edgy and cool in the 90s high school play ground - just became annoying.

The story is ridiculous and really disjointed it was hard to follow.

Almost cartoon level of body damage and recovery on characters.

The Tomorrow War (2021)

Dumb Science

[5/10 · 8 July 2021]

For all this movies promoting of science and scientific analysis... they sure have some dumb strategy to save earth .... Just send wave after wave of human cannon fodder ... to what?! Kill aliens with guns that hardly do anything ..,,, Well if guns can go to the future why not drones, tanks and ai controlled robots? They show that equipment can be sent with humans so why not? It's just stupid and laughable - especially when you see the lady fighting in her office dress?! WTF? Why even give military fatigues to these people?!

Then instead of using his brain most the time we see Chris just being angry with a gun ... no strategy just run and shoot like any other dumbass.

On the positive side you can see all that Amazon money in the CGI and monster effects which were great ..., but the acting was cheesy and belongs in the 90s ...kinda seemed like a rip off of Edge of Tomorrow.

The Empty Man (2020)

The Thinking Mans Horror Film

[8/10 · 12 May 2021]

The marketing team for this movie should be fired as they did it a huge disservice! The trailer did not do its job. I was convinced to watch this by a fellow fan of Lovecraft and I am glad I am took him up on this offer!

The writing, acting, dialogue, camera work and audio is all top notch! It is not a by the numbers horror film but a good mix of the "fear of the unknown" You have to watch this in the right setting and be in the right mood - watch by yourself and when you have time. You really have to pay attention especially when the detective goes to the Piontefex institute- the discourse between the detective and the leader is philosophically wonderful.

This is the kind of movie that you dwell on after the credits role with the concepts and philosophical ideas brought up in it making you reflect on your own views of life and what is reality.

Please give it a go.

Willy's Wonderland (2021)

Pure Cheese!

[5/10 · 11 April 2021]

If you are in the mood for something totally off the wall and Nicolas Cage just being Nicolas Cage then this is the movie for you!

If not well go elsewhere!

Batman: Soul of the Dragon (2021)

Messy Batman Cheese from the 1970s

[4/10 · 15 January 2021]

Batman: Soul of the Dragon is a mess ... is it trying to be a Bond film? Bruce Lee film? Shaft film? Karate Kid film? ... I know the animators were trying to go with a 70s vibe but the cartoon style is ugly and lazy! Think pre - Batman Dark Knight 90s animations. Some of the dialogue is super cringe with 70s disco talk and the eastern culture mish mash especially the stereotypical master training them ... Batman looks like he is travelling in China then for some reason he is training in a Japanese style Dojo. Is Richard Dragon trying to be Bruce Lee? Is he Bruce Lee under a different name? I did not get it? Just weird! DC should stick with their immersive animations like Batman Gotham by Gaslight and Batman Ninja

The New Mutants (2020)

Like watching a tv episode on SyFy

[2/10 · 17 November 2020]

Pretty poor result ... the CGI was amateurish and took away the horror element pretty fast ..,, predictable plot and teens must face stereotypical teen problems while fighting long limbed but harmless creatures .... I was bored .... the power of magic is ridiculous.... how is that a mutation?! Spirit animals and little dragons... WTF... getting further away from the mark of X-men! Whoever makes a new x-men film needs to be a 90s X-men fan boy .... and in needs to be ruthless with death and loss ... Sinister arc please rated above MA15