jenniferwarnock Reviews

Hacksaw Ridge (2016)

See This

[10/10 · 30 August 2023]

Stunning. This may be my favorite war movie of all time. And I've seen many. I put off seeing this for years because I thought it would be boring. Holy c!ap, was I wrong. This film is equal parts emotion/logical/religion/humanism/war/romance/drama all in one. It doesn't try to be preachy, it doesn't demonize one side. It's just a beautiful story, a moving war epic, and a movie that will sit with you. Be warned: this movie is extremely violent and not for the faint of heart. I throughly enjoyed every performance, every line. Not one actor is miscast or underused. Andrew Garfield is magnificent, and I wish Mel Gibson would direct more. Please see this. It will haunt you in both light and dark ways.

The Curious Case of Natalia Grace (2023–2024)

Unethical Filmmakers-Interesting Doco

[6/10 · 28 June 2023]

This is very interesting subject material. There's more than enough evidence here to support that Natalia was a sociopath you've heard from plenty of independent witnesses in this documentary, doctors, nurses, other neighbors, people that don't even know the Barnetts. It's a very engaging documentary, that seems well balanced My main issue is that in episode 4 Jacob, the son with autism, is speaking to his father off camera in what he thinks is a private conversation. The producers keep recording even though he is blatantly expressed that he doesn't want to be recorded anymore. At the time he was a minor, and only now as an adult is he expressing what happened to him as a child. Then the producer off-camera starts doing quoting some lame Martin Luther King quote, and saying that he should exonerate Natalia. Are you serious? What kind of $h@t is that?

Love & Death (2023)

Wonderful- See This-and skip the Hulu version

[8/10 · 29 April 2023]

Olsen and Plemmons and Rabe are outstanding. Actually, every cast member is outstanding. If you enjoyed Sharp objects and the Undoing, you will love this with equal measure. Everything from the lunchboxes, to the set pieces, to the wardrobe reminds you what it was like to be alive in the early 80s. But forget all that, these actors and directors and writers have captivated such a brilliant telling of these events; that it is hard to take your eyes off them. Truly wonderful stuff. I watched the first 3 episodes right away, and am looking forward to more.

Elizabeth Olsen is bound for great things. So talented.

Candy (2022)

Woke Rubbish - Watch The HBOMax Version instead

[4/10 · 29 April 2023]

Skip this.

I only watched started watching this after I streamed the first 3 episodes of the Olsen-Plemmons vehicle, 'Love & Death' on Max. The latter is a much more thoughtful; emotional, captivating telling with far superior actors than this telling.

This Hulu version is rubbish. If you watch, do enjoy the performances of Melanie Lynskey & the actor portraying Allan Gross.

Among my complaints:

* casting: Jessica Biel? She has the gravitas of a fork. Way out of her talent depth here.

*wokery: Hulu has decided to not actually represent the actual characters of the show. Instead, let's get woke and make sure half the cast is black! Sure! In small town Wylie Texas in the late 70s! Ha. Pastor Jackie WAS NOT BLACK. I'm surprised they didn't recast the murder weapon from an axe to a balloon.

* editing/writing: choppy, out of focus, boring, hack job. You can watch many wonderful films that are non linear in there storytelling. This is NOT one of them.

*costumes and wigs: bought at goodwill and local yard sales. Terrible.

This version is 5 hours long, and it drags forever.

HBO's is 7-9 hours, and I am left waiting for more.

The Mandalorian: Chapter 20: The Foundling (2023) Season 3, Episode 4

The Writing is Worse Than The Effects

[4/10 · 24 March 2023]

Yikes and jinkies! Did Jon Faverau and Dave Filoni have too many other SW series to work on? We waited 2 years for this? Wow, just such a let down from Mando seasons 1&;2. The effects are TV movie bad. The opening convert scene and the chase sequence with young Grogu are two examples. And now , what, Bo Katan just overnight decides she's staying with the other Mandos? And the other mandos just blindly trust her? Just zero relatable arcsThe writing is just embarrassing. The same phrases are reused over and over. Dreadfully predictable...It's like the writers were just asleep this season. The plot of this episode, just pointless to the overall show arc. These episodes are not improving this season, and we are just about halfway through now...

Big let down.

And only 30 minutes? Why not 22? Maybe next week they can whittle it down to 5 minutes. Tune in then when Grogu goes to Target and Bo Katan gets a manicure.

Unreal.

The Book of Boba Fett: Chapter 5: Return of the Mandalorian (2022) Season 1, Episode 5

Let Bryce Dallas Howard direct everything!

[10/10 · 18 March 2023]

Yes, this is an episode of the Mandalorian. But this is not a review about the Star Wars multi-verse.

Bryce Dallas has directed episodes of the Mandalorian and now the book of Boba Fett. As you can see from her, Imbd rating, the shows that she directs have the some of the highest ratings of each series. She is an excellent storyteller, and I'm always engaged with each of her episodes.

Season three of the Mandalorian has been a big let down for me, but I'm hoping maybe she will be attached to some future episodes.

As I've only watch the Mandalorian episodes of the Boba Fett series, I can't really give an opinion to the entirety of the series, but just to say this episode was great and Bryce Dallas does it again!

The Mandalorian: Chapter 19: The Convert (2023) Season 3, Episode 3

Mando Magic is Gone

[2/10 · 18 March 2023]

Eish.

I cancelled Disney a while back, and now I am reminded why.

I enjoyed the 1st two seasons of Mando immensely. They were creative, had new story lines, but there were cracks of predictability poking through...Mando goes to new place; has a battle; loses kid; finds kid. But, the wait is over for season 3, and wow. Keep waiting.

What a letdown. This episode especially. The brief moments Mando is in the episode feel Rigid and stiff , and again, Mando goes somewhere new, gets hurt; battle; rescue ensues. Good gawd. And Bo? So flat. Her delivery. Yikes. Who misses Gina Carano?? I do!

The spunk and magic from the first 2 seasons is gone. Disney has flooded the SW-verse and become distracted by creating 52 Star Wars off-shoots. All so-so, but none glaringly brilliant. I can't even watch Mando now without having to watch Boba? What?? Ughhhh...

My mind was numb in this episode, as the cookie cutter format has once been applied to another Disney SW installment. I turned it off 15 mins in. Intro or characters to further saturate the SW universe with more spin off shows. Jeeezus. The doc and the non binary ( ?) interest? God. I can't.

I'll rewatch seasons 1&2.

Glad I have stayed canceled with Disney. Just no longer worth it.

Hold Your Fire (2021)

Don't Feel Bad For These Criminals

[6/10 · 11 March 2023]

Both sides of the story are told here. But; there is way more sympathy given to the hostage takers than there should be, and alot of "poor me" and bemoaning that mostly goes unchecked by the filmmakers. The store owner is the most compelling voice of this narrative (no, not Dr Harvey), and for me, he was the moral compass of this story. The footage is interesting for sure, but you can tell the filmmakers feel more sympathy for the hostage takers, and lean heavily on ill supported racism claims. It's not about race; it's about pointing guns in peoples faces, committing crimes, and owning up to those crimes-bad guys are bad guys. Don't pander.

Infinite Storm (2022)

A good movie for people who are in a coma

[2/10 · 6 December 2022]

I spent $2 on this, which was about $3 too much. I love mountaineer /adventure movies: Backcounty, Everest, there are some great ones. This stinker hired all the recent graduates of a community college acting school. Why anyone would save John is beyond me. I couldn't tell if he was supposed to be stupid, mentally challenged, drunk or all three. I personally would have kicked him off that ledge first chance I got. The dialogue is so cringe. The believability factor in this movie is zero. Experienced hiker goes to snowy mountains without an ice pick. Sure. That's just one example of the many unrealistic moments of this stinker. I left it on for my dog when I went to work, and when I came home she ran away.

The Watcher (2022– )

Boring

[4/10 · 15 October 2022]

First few episodes were pretty engaging, but things got so repetitive and drawn out, and really anticlimactic.

I turned this off on the 4th episode, it just lost steam quickly.

This could have been a 4 episode show, I found the investigator particularly irritating.

Too bad, I love all these actors, and I think this is a real disappointment from Ryan Murphy.

I'll just read the IMDb reviews to get the ending.

I would give this a miss unless you like repetitive narratives.

First few episodes were pretty engaging, but things got so repetitive and drawn out, and really anticlimactic.

I turned this off on the 4th episode, it just lost steam quickly.

This could have been a 4 episode show, I found the investigator particularly irritating.

Too bad, I love all these actors, and I think this is a real disappointment from Ryan Murphy.

I'll just read the IMDb reviews to get the ending.

I would give this a miss unless you like repetitive narratives.

The Gift (VI) (2015)

Why didn't they just get a security system

[7/10 · 30 September 2022]

Solid thriller, not what you're expecting. Great tension and performances. I guess I just wondered though...why didn't they just get a security system? Wouldn't that have stopped everything? It's still a great movie though, with some great twists and lots of suspense. I highly recommend it.

Solid thriller, not what you're expecting. Great tension and performances. I guess I just wondered though...why didn't they just get a security system? Wouldn't that have stopped everything? It's still a great movie though, with some great twists and lots of suspense. I highly recommend it.

Solid thriller, not what you're expecting. Great tension and performances. I guess I just wondered though...why didn't they just get a security system? Wouldn't that have stopped everything? It's still a great movie though, with some great twists and lots of suspense. I highly recommend it.

Watcher (I) (2022)

Not what you think...or...?

[8/10 · 8 August 2022]

Really good, slow burn suspense. Did not see that ending coming. Very good. Recommend, especially if you like thrillers.....casting is great, and the foreign setting is perfect.

Unhinged (I) (2020)

Entertaining but mostly ridiculous

[6/10 · 7 August 2022]

There are a lot of "that wouldn't happen" moments in this movie, but it's still terrifying and had a lot of suspense and action. It's very violent and graphic.

Narcos: Mexico: 12 Steps (2021) Season 3, Episode 1

Season 3 - Weakest Link

[5/10 · 11 November 2021]

This is the last installment , and I was hoping it would start with a bang. Man, this installment has been a slow, drawn, unfocused bore so far.

The cons: the narrator-terrible. Her story line- also boring. Literally I could care less about her. She is in a few dangerous situations, and I wasn't afraid for her.

• slow episodes, moving at glacial paces -way too many personal storyline narratives. Season is slow to kick in. If I wanted to watch "Love Life," I'd turn it on. Just give us the drugs and shoot outs please.

-no Pedro pascal (this is just a personal one, lol)

the pros:

• Scoot features prominently
• el Chapo is the main draw, and the actor is fabtastic

-great set dressing and action sequences (when they happen)

Narcos: Mexico: Los Juniors (2021) Season 3, Episode 3

Finally...

[7/10 · 11 November 2021]

Finally...narcos lives up to narcos. This is by far one of the best episodes. When I heard season 3 was in production, I hoped it would focus on Chapo. The story is intriguing and dramatic, and the actor fantastic. This is definitely the weakest installment in the Narcosverse, but this episode kicks it up a beat.

American Crime Story: Stand by Your Man (2021) Season 3, Episode 8

Edie Falco (60) plays a 35 (HRC)...mmmkay

[6/10 · 6 November 2021]

Edie Falco is terribly miscast. A good 25 years too old to play a 1997 HRC. Does nothing to sound or act like HRC. Also, why are there no less than 4 creepy scenes where Bill stares off HRC while she sleeps. Creepy!

American Crime Story: Exiles (2021) Season 3, Episode 1

Am enjoying...but...casting??

[7/10 · 19 September 2021]

What's up with Edie Falco (60 yrs) playing a 30 yr old HRC? And, Clive Owen ...love Clive Owen but what accent is he going for? Doesn't even remotely sound like Clinton. Dennis Quaid nailed it in "The Special Relationship." And, the woman playing ML...doesn't even look like her, except they both have black hair.

Sarah Paulson, as usual, brings it. Love her! Fantastic. I forget I'm watching Paulson, and really watching Tripp. She is the best part, in my book.

Scenes from a Marriage (2021)

Cinematic Melatonin

[1/10 · 13 September 2021]

Love these actors and have been waiting for this. Absolute pretentious nonsense drivel. Boring.

Paydirt (2020)

Pretty good for being made on iPhone

[3/10 · 30 August 2021]

Ok-not made on iPhone. That's an insult to why an iPhone can do.

Really embarrassing, mostly for Val Kilmer, and his daughter, who clearly can't act. Which is amazing, given she is supposed to be playing his daughter. Zero attempt has been made to even make Val's dub remotely sound like him. He barely looks like he wants to be there, and the dubbing is rubbish. His appearance is hard to not be distracted by, and the embarrassing camera angles (shots behind his back while he's speaking) are just sad.

Also, it's just boring.

The Doors (1991)

Homage to a bunch of drug using nuts (who also made music)

[6/10 · 27 August 2021]

I used to adore this movie as a kid. But now, rewatching as an adult, I'm just like...what's the point of this movie? To glorify? To show the sickness? The way it's shot and designed seems to suggest the former.

The acting , music, scenery, and design is en pointe, but this is just a movie about celebrating sickos. If you believe everything in this , Jim Morrison tried to burn his lover in a closet, cheated on everyone he said he loved, and was a raging addict.

Why did I ever like this band ? This man?

At First Sight (1999)

Never so much have I wanted a blind boyfriend...

[7/10 · 25 August 2021]

A very touching love story which has held up after 20 years. If this doesn't touch you, I don't know what will.

Red Planet (2000)

Better if you're drunk

[3/10 · 19 August 2021]

On a current Val binge, and thought I'd Give this one a try again. I thought I had seen it, but lost interest because I was drunk. Turns out, I should have been more drunk. It's really bad.

Tombstone (1993)

The best western of all time

[10/10 · 18 August 2021]

Greatest western of all time. Wonderful cast (except Delaney-so forced and cringe ), wonderful writing, pace and action. And of course, a performance by Val Kilmer for which there is none to compare. If you like westerns, this should be in your top 5.

Val (I) (2021)

Sad and touching...

[10/10 · 9 August 2021]

Love Val Kilmer. Heat and Tombstone are my two top movies. This documentary was insightful; emotional and made me quite sad for him at times. Great film, especially if you're interested in his body of work, what happened to his health and want to look behind the scenes of his famous films and his private life. Very moving.

7 Days in Entebbe (2018)

Excellent film - why all the hate?

[8/10 · 26 July 2021]

I'm extremely interested in the subject matter and I I've been putting off seeing this movie for sometime because of all the bad reviews. It became free on streaming and one evening I watched it and I was not disappointed. I felt all actors had a strong presence and that they captured events both historically and with great tension. This is not a Michael Bay film, so perhaps some People were disappointed by less explosions? I don't know, but I thoroughly enjoy this film. I especially liked the dance sequences.