Change Your Image
dertwonshuw-51350
Ratings
Most Recently Rated
Reviews
The Night Agent (2023)
Entertaining in spite of flaws
Well, the story has major flaws not the least being it is totally unbelievable.
And totally predictable. Spoiler alert: Girl calls boy. Boy saves girl. Boy helps girl. Girl helps boy. They hook up. You could see that coming from episode one.
The bad guys are revealed about the halfway point in the series. But you can figure them out midway through the second episode.
Too much gratuitous bad language, f words in particular.
Kudos to Evans-Akingbola as Agent Arrington. And kudos to the 24 alumni D. B. Woodside (Agent Monks) and Kari Matchett (President Travers).
On the other hand, there is plenty of intrigue and suspense and action along the way.
MH370: The Plane That Disappeared (2023)
Total and Complete Rubbish
So I got through the first episode and I thought I wonder what people are saying about this "documentary" on IMDB.
When I saw that most of the reviews shared my opinion I felt a little better. It's like am I the only one who thinks this is all BS?
I remember watching the news regarding this tragedy when it happened, sympathizing with the family. And then time and life moves on and you forget.
My personal belief is that we may never know what happened to MH-370. But these half-baked and nonsensical theories are too much. I'm not watching the rest of the episodes.
Why Netflix put its name to this I can't figure.
You People (2023)
Mediocre
Nah. This doesn't do it for me.
Even Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Eddie Murphy can't save the movie, although they excel in the scenes they are in.
Jonah Hill should stick to acting, the script is terrible.
Okay, so the premise is a white/black relationship. No problem. Happens all the time.
But a white Jew and a black Muslim? You'd be better off waiting for Halley's Comet. The idea is DOA as soon as it hits reality. Not that there's anything wrong with that.
I jumped around the scenes I thought would be interesting and the ones I saw in preview and promotion. Skipped over a lot. Finally put it and me out of misery and turned it off.
Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022)
Loved it
I wasn't going to write a review but the very first review I read was someone whining that the movie didn't live up to his/her expectations. Well boo hoo. I don't think they made the movie for you.
Reminder: Movies are for fun people.
Glass Onion was a romp from start to finish. Norton makes a deliciously evil bad guy as he did in the The Italian Job. Kate Hudson gives an over the top performance. Kathryn Hahn, a journeywoman comedic actress, did not disappoint.
I'm still wondering where Kareem Abdul Jabbar was. And Stephen Sondheim. They listed in the cast credits, but I don't recall seeing them. Excuse me, I'm leaving to watch it again. (smile)
Dune (2021)
Epic story
Allow me to start off by saying this is a genuine review. It seems some are rightly questioning the legitimacy of some reviews. I wonder the same myself. But I am not a shill for the director, producer, or production company. In fact, I vacillated whether or not I even wanted to watch the movie.
I'm glad I did: All star cast; great locations; excellent cinematography; stellar acting; and epic story. I understand CGI is necessary on a film like this but it was very well done. After I watched it the first time I immediately watched it again.
I am now looking forward to the second installment of the movie. Can't wait!
Elvis (2022)
Mediocre Effort
I never knew who Colonel Tom Parker was before I watched this movie, and I was happy and content in that ignorance.
If you are going to make a movie about Elvis then make a movie about Elvis. It felt like the story about the Colonel was an unnecessary distraction.
On the other hand, although I have never been a fan of Elvis, the movie characterized him, not only in a sympathetic way, but as the rock superstar he was.
Kudos to Austin Butler, Tom Hanks, Olivia DeJonge. Fine acting effort. Director gets a C+ and that is charitable. At over two and a half hours the movie is too long.
Finally, waaayyyy too much CGI. Why filmmakers think they need techno to tell a story I will never understand.
D.B. Cooper: Where Are You?! (2022)
Put me to sleep
Halfway through the second episode I snorted awake and asked myself "Why am I watching this?"
D. B. Cooper? Who gives a $%&#? He's not a folk hero. He is and has always been a criminal.
Like abandoned food, this subject has reached the statute of limitations in our collective consciousness, and as such should be thrown out.
My opinion remains unchanged. He died from the parachute jump.
Hector and the Search for Happiness (2014)
Happiness is not searching for too much meaning in a film that is otherwise simply meant to entertain
Rosamund Pike: Beautiful and brilliant as always.
Ming Zhao: Gorgeous.
Simon Pegg: Hilariously funny. Great job.
Stellan Skarsgard. Can I be your friend too?
Jean Reno: Deliciously "bad" guy as usual.
I almost passed on this movie. Glad I didn't.
Shatner in Space (2021)
"Everyone should do this"
Shatner's words when he landed.
So would you? Would you go if you had the opportunity?
I think it is quite poetic that the star of a culturally iconic TV series many of us have watched over and over for years had a chance to experience this short flight. Good for him.
Tastefully done documentary. Watch and enjoy. I did.
The Operative (2019)
Good Spy Movie
I like John le Carre. I like James Bond. I like Jason Bourne. This movie can hold its own with them and any other spy movie.
Espionage is more than car chases and fancy gadgets and beautiful women and and fancy martinis and other assorted bling. Real spying comes, it's clear, with a very human cost. Unless you are a sociopath which I'm sure many spies are.
Diane Kruger is even more beautiful now than when she was younger. That's all I wanted to say except that it's disappointing that this movie isn't rated higher.
Pine Gap (2018)
Let's hope there is a Season 2
Great spy story with good character development and interesting plot, but I believe the writers left a bewildering ending based on a belief of resolving things in the next season.
I can't go into more detail without revealing spoilers but I personally was left hanging.
Otherwise, worth a binge.
Rebecca (2020)
Worthy of the master
This is a great remake of Hitchcock's 1940 movie with Laurence Olivier.and Joan Fontaine.
Kristin. Scott Thomas is creepy as Mrs Danvers.
Very well done indeed.
The Beatles: Here There and Everywhere (2009)
The inane British press unchanged in over 60 years
I am giving this title high marks because I think it is an important historical view into the iconic group; however, it is difficult to watch because of the annoying reporters.
Where'd You Go, Bernadette (2019)
Don't call me Buzi. Only Mom calls me that.
There are so many things I love about this movie I find it hard to describe why it has become one of my favorites.
Or course Cate Blanchett is great, as is Billy Crudup, And Linklater as director.
Kristen Wiig's understated performance? A very funny woman playing it straight?
The beautiful cinematography?
The young girl (Emma Nelson) stealing every scene she is in?
Watch it. You won't be disappointed.
The Midnight Sky (2020)
Good Science Fiction Movie
I wasn't sure what to expect, but all I can say is that I liked it.
We are never told what the catastrophic earth "event" was but it seems clear from subsequent events and dialogue it was a nuclear event.
At the exciting action scenes I was literally on the edge of the seat..
Good story. (From the book Good Morning Midnight by Lily Brooks-Dalton)
Good acting, solid direction (Clooney), Good score. CGI not over the top.
Anyway, to each his own. Reviewing movies is such a subjective thing. I'm glad I ignored the rating.
L'attesa (2015)
"Your mother is odd"
I am sure the flavor of this French phrase is lost in translation to the English subtitles.
This film is about the emotional complexity of grief and the behavior it can produce in surviving loved ones.
Juliette Binoche's character could have told the girl about Giuseppe's death at any time: On the bench; At the lake; In the car; At breakfast.
Her emotional dishonesty is the heart of the movie.
Why?
The dialogue is stingy and the viewer is left to draw his or her own conclusion.
The Wait is brilliantly acted and beautifully and skillfully photographed.
Expedition Happiness (2017)
Not as bad as they say.
My guess is all the people reviewing this at "1" and "2" have never lifted their a** off the couch and gone on a road trip.
Perhaps you should try it.
It's a life changing experience.
And yes. The journey is about the people you meet along the way.
Defence of the Realm (1985)
Good spy movie
I almost didn't watch this but I am glad I did. Excellent movie.
At one point the protagonist is asked "Where did you get this stuff? John Le Carre?"
I'm going to commit heresy and say that this is every bit as good a Le Carre.
Les enfants terribles (1950)
Film Terrible
I am bored during the pandemic, but not bored enough to watch this movie. I popped it out of the DVD player after about 20 minutes, something I rarely do. Life is too short to watch bad movies and the reason I don't have to watch bad movies is because usually the IMDB rating is spot on. In this case it isn't. I think the reason is because the only ones who are reviewing the movie are those fans
of "creative schizophrenia", of which I am not. But that's okay. Everyone has their own taste.
Loin des hommes (2014)
Profoundly Moving. A Gem of a Film
Great story, Great script, Well acted, Beautiful scenery.
I love this movie. The challenge for me is to put into words why that is so.
Far From Men was filmed in the Atlas Mountains in Morocco, a beautiful, sparse desert location. The cinematography is extraordinary.
As sparse as the desert he inhabits, is the backstory of Daru, wonderfully acted by Mortensen. We know little about him and I don't want to give away even the small details we learn about him as the movie progresses.
The story is about honor and courage which Daru tells Mohamed (Kateb) he lacks during one angry outburst.
But ultimately the story is about friendship and doing the right thing even at a cost to yourself.
I have a list of movies that I am content to watch over and over again. This movie is on it. Watch it. I hope you will not be disappointed.
Fauda (2015)
Good Show - Binge worthy
My review is based on watching Season 2 on Netflix.
I'd like to keep politics out of my review but I've decided it's not possible. As long as the Israelis and the Palestinians continue to adopt the 'eye for an eye' philosophy there will never be peace in the Middle East.
Ever.
Of this I am certain.
One reviewer disdained the dubbing. I agree. It's terrible. Even worse in Season 2.
On the other hand I liked the scenery and cinematography. I liked the acting. I liked the characters and I liked the story.
When Shirin asks Amos where he learned to speak Arabic so good, he said Baghdad. It was a beautiful city. Jews and Arabs lived together peacefully.
Well, I guess we can hope.
Sully (2016)
NTSB not the Bad Guys
Great story. Great guy, a true hero, in fact. Mediocre movie. Why? I give the movie only 5 stars because I question the portrayal of the NTSB as the "bad guys". Ah, but in Hollywood's version of reality there always has to be bad guys. Right?
That is my only criticism of the movie. My wife and I actually enjoyed it, and I cannot think of anyone else who could have played Sully so convincingly. Hanks portrayed accurately the reality of what Sully experienced.
I waited until I read Sully's book before writing my comment. I wanted to know if the NTSB hassled him as much as the movie depicted. There was nothing there. If there was, at least Sully did not write about it.
Does Eastwood not fly anymore? Does anyone involved in this movie not fly? Even if the NTSB did ask hard questions, that is their job. No need to imply that they had bad motives.
Sufat Chol (2016)
Great Film
Well acted and beautifully directed, the film has thoughtful pauses on the faces of the characters as they convey the story through their emotions and facial expressions. The action takes place in and around the family's village and almost exclusively in Suliman's compound. Suliman appears to love his family—his first wife and daughters—but, as others have mentioned, he is undone by what he thinks is the proper course. His wife and daughter are trying to tell him you don't "have" to do anything. The raw emotion of Layla sobbing as she realizes the sacrifice she must make to save her mother and her sisters is truly heartbreaking.
Alias (2001)
My rating is for the first two seasons.
Sydney Bristow. The Girl Next Door. A smile as wide as the sky and dimples deep enough to get lost in. All the boys love her. (Vaughn, Tippin, even Sark.)
The acting in the series is very well done: Garner, Garber, Rifkin, Cooper. The writing is just okay. the Rambaldi mystery/prophecy is a distraction, but it facilitates the intrigue and the action. And the action is good! The contemporary soundtrack is also a huge plus.
A couple of years ago I watched half of the first season and then stopped. I got tired of the constant flashbacks to Sydney's fiancé and the continual jeopardy of her friends Will and Francie. I picked the series up again recently and watched the end of Season 1 and all of Season 2.
But the series (in my opinion) jumped the shark in Season 3. After the cliff hanger at the end of Season 2, Season 3 started with a totally preposterous and unbelievable story line.