pauldeg-37971 Reviews

Unprisoned (2023– )

Not for me!

[3/10 · 12 November 2023]

My wife and I sat to watch the first episode of this series and I was quite enjoying it. I enjoyed the dynamic between father and daughter even though I question whether one would be quite so accepting of a career criminal father. (Unless you were crimonally minded yourself). I accept that profanity is part of the linguistic scene even though I think that in every day use it shows a lack of linguistic skills and an ignorance of the breadth and depth of the words available to us. I think art should aim to broaden vocabulary and culture rather than diminish it. I seldom see how the use of profanity actually anhances a movie or show, but I accept it. However I do not understand how giving lines of profanity to a child actor does anything positive to the experience of the viewer or the child. So when a child came onto the screen with lines of profanity my wife and I shared a look and turned the show off. Sorry but it's not for me! You need to be more creative than that! If the child is supposed to be bright, intelligent and sassy, then let the use of language show you that!

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984)

Capshaw nailed it!

[6/10 · 5 November 2023]

I've read a few negative reviews of Kate Capshaw's performance in this film which, has always bugged me because I thought it was stand out. Perhaps it's compared to Karen Allen in Raiders. Karen Allen's character was kick butt. Living off her wits in an isolated place, competing with the males, lends itself to someone more at home in dust and dirt. But Kate Capshaw's character was dainty, delicate. An entertainer who was used to a good life filled with good things and well provided for. Squeezing through tunnels filled with dust and dirt and insects od all kinds. Trusting your life to a stranger who lives a life of danger would fill one with fear and Kate captured that perfectly. I loved the banquet where one dish after another is served to her, each more horrifying than the last until she can take it no more. Temple of Doom was certainly not my favourite Indiana film. I found.it very dark and could not understand the back story for this little boy who suddenly appeared as (apparently) an old acquaintance. But I thoroughly enjoyed the roles of Harrison and Kate.

The Burial (II) (2023)

Enjoyedable but Predictable

[7/10 · 18 October 2023]

So it's the old David and Goliath story. I watched because it had Tommy Lee Jones whose work I enjoy. My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed this movie based on true events. I did feel however that Tommy Lee Jones was miscast and on a number of occasions, particularly around children, I found him wooden and appeared very uncomfortable. Pamela Reed by contrast radiated warmth even though her part was limited. I struggle with the brashness that the African American seems to exude all the time and if it weren't for Denzel and Morgan it would appear they speak in an entirely different language. (Perhaps it's my age). The film tells of the disrespect of the mega rich prepared to trample over everyone who stands in their way.. At the same time it extols the virtues of the " succesful" son (super rich), prepared to do whatever it takes, and walk over whomever he needs to succeed. It's a narrative that's common in the msovie world but I can't help but wonder how all these intelligent people cannot see the irony of it. It reminds me of the military attitude that will pursue peace regardless of how many lives it costs. These concerns weree not significant enough to spoil the movie, they were just enough to cause contemplation.

Black Adam (2022)

Is it finiished yet?

[4/10 · 23 November 2022]

I like Dwayne and I love my action movies but this was dull, disjointed and boring beyond belief. Both my wife and I said to each other "How long has it got to go"? 35 tedious minutes it turned out to be. Fight scenes with no real purpose. A hero who's supposed to be an anti hero but is in fact a hero? The acting was flat and lifeless and why does this character have the same stance as Captain Marvel? I feel like the director thought that if he made it flashy enough we would all be so dumbfounded that we wouldn't recognise the lack of any plot. This seems to be a common thread amongst a number of recent releases which seem so reliant on graphics that they forget to tell a story.

The Old Man (2022– )

Finally over!

[5/10 · 5 August 2022]

I loved the first couple of episodes before stuff became really silly. I watched all seven episodes and think it was about three episodes too long. Long boring soliloquies about truth and honesty which did not exist with the main characters. Stupid plot twists that added nothing and could have been dealt with simply before episode 5. I like Jeff Bridges but imagining he could do (at 72) half of what we where supposed to believe, was like watching the last instalment of Indiana Jones. John Lithgow as always is wonderful, but you're only as good as your story allows. Wasted hours with this one only to be dissatisfied. 5 stars is only for Bridges and Lithgow!

Kimi (2022)

Nice little movie.

[7/10 · 14 May 2022]

WOnderful acting from Zoe. My wife and I enjoyed this little thriller which was paced well anough with enough twists to keep you welll and truly interested. Not overly long or boring. Certainly better than many of the big budget moves I've watched lately. Tight story and good acting made any flaws okay.

The Northman (2022)

Ho hum

[4/10 · 14 May 2022]

I found this film mind numbingly boring. I could never work out what the vidion was beyond large amounts of gratuitous violence. The plot (brief as it was) was dragged out over two hours and I was pleased to fially see the closing credits. Had I not been watching it with somone else I would have left it long before that! I liike a story that has a least a storyline longer than can be summed up by the tag line.

Ambulance (2022)

I stopped watching. That says enough!

[1/10 · 30 April 2022]

Proof that a big budget does not equal a great movie. At first I thought maybe it's just me. But no! Lots of others like me thinkit's rubbish. What I cannot understand is how it got a 6.2 rating.

Marry Me (2022)

J Lo comng through

[8/10 · 15 February 2022]

This really was a vehicle to display the amazing talents of Ms Lopez! A lovely little movie with a completely unbelievable plot (A la Maid in Manhattan). The essentail basics of a good rom-com. Even though I like both lead actors I felt they lacked chemistry but it doesn't get in the way. A pleasnat way to spend some time with a loved one!

Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)

Yawn!

[3/10 · 26 January 2022]

I like a good action film and I enjoy my marvel movies. I found this film to be boring beyond belief. And the graphics (though brilliant) are insufficient to rescue it ffrom dreariness. Scenes drwan out way past their need. There is only so much teenage awkwardness that one can tolerate and this is so soaked in it that it's leaden! This film could quite easily have fitted into half it's running time. I understand a bit of padding. This film is the digital "Michelin Man"

Under the Vines (2021– )

Uplifting!

[9/10 · 15 January 2022]

Wonderful, uplifting little series showcasing the strong acting skills of the well known main characters but also intrducing us to some of the wonderful new talent certain to grace our screens. Rebecca Gibney is the glue that holds all this together.

John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum (2019)

Because?

[6/10 · 21 July 2021]

My wife and I enjoyed the first two instalments and looked forward to this one. This just seemed to go on and on and we didn't know why. What was the story supposed to be? We couldn't follow the plot and suspect there really wasn't one and so there was no direction. Even the meeting with Sofie (which offered so much potential and could have potentially added a new level of relationship) seemed to be a time filler. An oppportunity wasted.

Black Widow (2021)

Fun Marvel Movie.

[7/10 · 10 July 2021]

My wife and I sat and watched this on a Saturday. We expected a fun Marvel superhero movie, and that is what Scarlett gave us. I didn't expect a Shakesperian tragedy which some reviewers seem to expect. There was one Hollywood trend that stood out in this movie but is not confined to this movie. It was also noticeable in "The Tomorrow War". If you've seen both movies you know the trend I'm talking about and I don't believe it's helpful to our society at large. Great graphics and action sequences and I don't worry too much about the integrity of dialogue in an action flick. Loved the performances af the four main characters. WIll probably watch it again sometime. Great way to kill some time and entertaining. I'm not sure what more a good action flick is supposed to do.

3 Days with Dad (2019)

Research would help

[2/10 · 5 June 2021]

I was looking forward to this film with Brian Dennehy and Tom Arnold but I must confess I could not watch this film in its entirety. I would think, if you're going to use a particular faith as the basis of your film, it would help if you had some idea of the practices and beliefs of that faith. You can choose to not believe those beliefs and practices, even criticise or disparage them What you shouldn't do is to simply make up what you think they might be. Whoever organised this film clearly either just made things up or remembered stuff from their childhood many, many years previously and had not been near a church since. The opening 20 minutes had so many things wrong I gave up wasting my time.

Departure (2019–2022)

Yeah, Nah!

[4/10 · 20 May 2021]

I love aircraft dramas and don't mind if the truth is bent or stretched. I found this so bad and irritating that I stopped watching midway through the third episode. For example Titanic was found at .3,800 meters. Far deeper than this supposedly irrecoverable wreck The continual interference from a department head fixated on possible damage to an airline doesn't happen in an airline crash investigation. "Coming up with a workable theory" doesn't happen, only facts matter. Having someone as a "suspect" in an airline crash investigation, does not happen. What brought the plane down and how to prevent it happening in the future is the subject of the aircraft investigation. There is a strict process. At least make an attempt to follow it or don't use a plane as the basis.

Without Remorse (II) (2021)

Just no!

[3/10 · 9 May 2021]

I made the mistake of not reading any reviews before I watched. If I'd known it was so poorly received I wouldn't have bothered. This was a very disappointing film. I don't mind when the truth gets bent but when it's just completely disregarded? Well you might get away with that in Scifi but not an action movie. It's like someone was so busy playing with their gadgets that they forgot to watch where they were going and when they looked up had no idea where they had arrived.

Ted Lasso (2020–2023)

A nice gentle comedy.

[8/10 · 27 September 2020]

I have really enjoyed this show. It's funny and insightful. The characters and their development have been wonderfully played by an absolutely terrific cast. I have a lingering doubt about the way marriage is dealt with and the way the women are depicted. They are mostly as shallow and superficial as those they consort with and that doesn't ring true for me. For the most part the shows treatment of women lacked the accountability that the show continues to say should be there and I wonder what lessons men have learned (if any).

Bloom (2019–2020)

Wonderful Aussie Drama

[9/10 · 26 June 2020]

I caught the two seasons over a couple of weeks. I had watched a part of episode 1 and stopped but I went back to it on the strength of the calibre of actors like Bryan Brown, Jackie Weaver, Terry Norris, Gary Sweet et al. I'm glad I did. A wonderful, thought, provoking series. Of course we have been blessed with the talents of these stars over many years but the work over the younger brigade like Phoebe Tonkin, Ryan Corr, Bella Heathcote, Jackson Heywood show that our future industry is in good hands and will be exciting to watch.

No Way Jose (2015)

Where are all the men?

[6/10 · 21 September 2019]

I gave this a 6 not because of Jose but because of the surrounding characters her gave the film some intelligence and reality. I just wanted to slap Jose around the ears. I don't believe you have to spend years with a woman to work out if you love her or not and this pathetic character has done that multiple times with no result. Yes kids can be messy and difficult and unpredictable but the love and joy that that come with them and someone you love, far outweighs what car or house you have or even how poignant you think your music is. Jose seems to me to be the most woefully inept version of a man that there is.

Another Life (2019– )

Really?

[5/10 · 12 September 2019]

I tried to hang in for the whole of this series but it was really difficult. None of these characters would get near a space ship let alone one that is expected to save earth. These people (including Katie Sackhoff's character crack under the slightest pressure. Not "The Right Stuff" at all. I didn't enjoy Katie's performance at all. I found it very stilted on many levels unlike many who think she was some sort of glue. I can cope with poor CGI and stretch of the imagination plots but characters not close to requirements really bug me. Hopefully this will be a learning tool and better stuff will come from it.

Pennyworth (2019–2022)

Almost there

[6/10 · 11 September 2019]

I have enjoyed the series so far and its little references to other shows. The main characters carry the stories well without the need for large amounts of "wham" and "bam". What I have found to be really unsettling, is the frequent use of profanity I have not found it has genuinely enhanced any part of the story so far and in fact at times has been as out of place in its use as the Starbucks cup in GoT.

Anna (II) (2019)

I've had better

[6/10 · 22 August 2019]

I enjoy this style of movie so I gave it a watch but I kept comparing it to Bridget Fonda's "The Assassin" which I really enjoyed. I don't think it was an "awful" movie as some have claimed but it wasn't memorable. I liked the main character and how she played the role. The flaws were fairly obvious "an assassin who leaves her fingerprints everywhere" but there does need to be a suspension of belief in a movie of this kind. Never let the facts get in the way. Action aplenty 9f that's what you like but the plot is pretty thin.

7 Days in Entebbe (2018)

The history doesn't change

[7/10 · 2 October 2018]

I've seen the doco's and original film and indeed was a young 20 year old when this event took place. I must say I'm surprised at so many negative comments. I found this film very human. The hostages were ordinary people in an extraordinary event. The Israeli soldiers, terrorists, Ugandan soldiers were ordinary people from a variety of backgrounds and experiences come together for all different reasons. I do not believe that the film sympathised with the terrorist as some here have said. But I do believe some elements of this film compared to our current times should be a warning against dispassion. I enjoyed this version of the historical event. I enjoyed the mix of idealism, duty and revenge displayed through and resultant from ideology. I also enjoyed the background of the modern theatre even though I'm sure I did not understand all of its nuances. To me it showed the continuance of the normality of life during an event of life changing proportion.

The Split (2018–2022)

Gone again!

[7/10 · 22 September 2018]

I really enjoyed the series and looked forward to each episode. I found the main,, female characters strong and independent (mostly) even though they had their flaws. Then in the last 10 minutes it all fell apart and the strongest character threw away every stich of independence and strength and dignity she had carried because she... what? I still can't work out those last couple of decisions contrary to everything she had stood and stood up for. A really disappointing conclusion and, sadly, it ruined my potential eagerness to see the next season.

The Leisure Seeker (2017)

Some nice bits in a film with little respect for the aged.

[3/10 · 11 June 2018]

I eagerly watched this film recently with my wife, largely due to the two lead actors. My wife and I are both advancing in years and have a long term marriage of nearly 40 years so we have some commonality with the characters in the film. We were very disappointed. These characters were not even close to believable. I found the wife's character domineering, manipulative and selfish but presented as if she were caring and compassionate. The actions of the husband where totally unbelievable. Not even close to reality and he could not possibly function in the way he was presented. This wasn't fiction so much as disrespectful fantasy. I was staggered that two such fine actors could allow themselves to be placed in a film that, far from celebrating a couples life and love, simply worked to the current political agenda. I have seen other films treat similar themes with much more dignity and respect.