soundstormmusic Reviews

Napoleon (2023)

A script where historical inaccuracies are the least of its problem

[4/10 · 6 January 2024]

Napoleon is a film that is too ambitious for its length of three hours. There's just too much to talk about and the 'solution' that Ridley Scott decided to use doesn't work.

We get everything all at once. But always too short, too little.

The main focus is Napoleon which makes sense. But all other characters seem to be completely flat. We never get to know anyone besides him.

Josephine is the closest we get to a more rounded character, but even in those scenes it's Napoleon who does most of the talking. And their romance also doesn't come across as genuine.

The battle sequences are impressive visually but they feel cold; we just see huge amounts of soldiers fight, but there's no general we get to follow. There's no emotional connection to anyone.

In the end the movie feels too long even though most scenes are cut short. I exited the cinema feeling disappointed. I knew there were historical inaccuracies, but I didn't the know the script was this bad too.

Last Action Hero (1993)

A great movie that falls inbetween comedy and action.

[9/10 · 17 March 2023]

I love movies that take their genre and turn it up its head. This movie does it in many ways. It all starts with Danny who gets a magic ticket and somehow ends up inside the movie he loves watching, featuring Jack Slater. Seeing as he's and avid fan he knows a thing or two, which gets him into trouble.

The plot is great, as we're inside a B-movie while one of our protagonists knows it. What could've been a standard action movie turns into a great comedy with jokes that I absolutely adored. There's always something happening and the main villain is great too.

The only reason I won't give it a 10 is that the B-movie has a couple of weird things (Slater losing his badge for something he didn't do for example), and the ending feels a bit rushed.

Nonetheless the interaction between Danny and Slater is great and the movie has a lot of great jokes and a decent pacing.

Poker Face (2023– )

From 10 to 0 in just a few episodes

[5/10 · 31 January 2023]

I love so much about this show. Natasha Lyonne stole my heart in Orange is the New Black, then again with Russian Doll.

But even she can't bear the weight of a weak script with the same formula pasted on different places.

Every episode is about a murder, every episode tells you the viewer what will happen, and then we can enjoy watching Charlie find the clues. Except the clues are too easy and not clever.

There's no satisfying ending, and to make it worse; the people we get to meet are dull. There's no one to root for, and even Natasha's great portrayal of Charlie falls flat (especially if you've seen her work her magic in Russian Doll).

So unfortunately, all I can say is you'd be better off watching Russian Doll again then watching this show.

Brick (2005)

One of the best film noirs

[10/10 · 23 January 2023]

I've been in love with a lot or Rian Johnsons' films. His stories are intriguing and when a friend of mine told to check out Brick I was curious.

The first thirty minutes are very confusing and I couldn't make heads or tails of it. When I finally figured out it was a film noir set in a high school it all made sense.

The acting is great, the settings are hilarious but the story is perfect. There's so much going on but it never gets confusing and every actor nails his or her part.

The thing I love most though is the way every shot is carefully crafted. There are so many different shots and the medium is being put to use. The same goes with the setting of the movie. A film noir with highschoolers is ridiculous, but because it's played straight the story does move you. But it doesn't mean we don't get some hilarious scenes or dialogue, which helps to keep it from getting too serious.

For every person who loved the first Knives Out, I can't recommend this movie enough. It's like its little baby brother who is secretly insanely talented.

Glass Onion (2022)

Forgettable.

[5/10 · 28 December 2022]

The first Knives Out was an entertaining movie with interesting character, a great setting and a certain charm that I hadn't experienced in a while. I sincerely hoped this would be the case for the successor.

But it wasn't.

Where the first movie had characters that got to shine, the focus here is shifted to half of them, while the other half is needed to push the plot. And the plot itself is...bad. You want to be able to decipher the idea or at least get a grasp. But you can't really. And everything is silly to boot. Sure the movie doesn't seem to take itself serious, but you definitely need to take the audience serious, which it also doesn't.

And them when you finally get there it overstays its welcome by about 20 minutes.

So no masterpiece here, just another forgettable Netflix movie.

Wednesday (2022– )

Faltering after a promising start.

[6/10 · 5 December 2022]

I really like Tim Burton, really like the Addams Family, so I definitely was looking forward to this show.

The start is great. Most of the characters are intriguing, there's enough happening and the school feels very much alive.

After a couple episodes it changes; the whodunnit-plot leaves the school largely behind, we get a story that doesn't leave much room for character development or to show of the quirky Addams Family traits and most characters are just a crux to further the plot.

The closer we get to the end, the worse it gets. The finale reminds me of Buffy but in a bad way. The creators of Buffy were aware what they were portraying. Here the seriousness of everything just doesn't work. And everything is kind of meh all around. Predictable baddies, and a boring fight (especially when there are so many different creatures to choose from!).

So all in all it's a mediocre show, with Jenna Ortega being kind of the saving grace. Her acting is a joy to watch and when the scripts allows it she shines.

But alas, it's not enough to swing the pendulum.

Melancholia (2011)

This film hurt

[10/10 · 7 October 2022]

I don't like this film, nor do I love it. I won't watch it again. But it is a 10/10 movie for making me feel things so intense I haven't felt in a long time.

This movie is about depression, and it's portrayed in a beautiful way. Sometimes it's achingly slow, other times a ton of things happen all at once. But the dread remains.

The movie is divided in two parts; Justine and Claire. And their ways of dealing with life is really different. I won't spoil anything but do know that both sections intertwine but don't necessarily deal with each other very directly.

Lars von Trier is a master at making movies that are both equally beautiful and destructive. I finished watching it two hours ago but the pain in my chest hasn't gone away. And that to me is quite the accomplishment. He knows how to portray pain in a way that is so accurate it's scary.

Red Rocket (2021)

a 2 Hour movie filled with flat characters

[1/10 · 7 April 2022]

Red Rocket is the kind of movie I would bring a date to I didn't like. It's tedious, unnecessary long, filled with ugly shots and has no redeeming quality.

First off: the main character is completely flat; throughout this whole movie he doesn't learn anything.

The fact that one minor character has more depth with a scene about him being a veteran says something about this film. There could've been so much, but there wasn't anything worth watching. No memorabel characters, no interesting story line, nothing.

I would not recommend this. At all.

Cyrus (I) (2010)

A film with heart

[8/10 · 14 March 2022]

I've been a long time fan of Marisa Tomei and John C. Reiley. Jonah Hill surprised me with his last Netflix series starring alongside Scarlett Johansson so I was curious to see if this film was worth watching.

And I have to see it might be close to one of my favourite films. The combination of humour, honest dialogue and a simple story that works really well makes this a great movie.

It's definitely not for everyone. The story is slow, there's no action, it's mostly talking. But the dialogue is great, a lot of it feels really realistic and there are no cheap cop-outs. Every character feels like a fully fleshed character and it gives every scene weight.

Tomei, Hill and Reiley carry their roles really well. They know how to shift from funny to serious and I can't fault their performances.

So yeah, I'm definitely glad I watched it and wholeheartedly recommend it.

The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)

Porn for one person

[5/10 · 5 March 2022]

Some stories shouldn't be told because they aren't worth telling. The story of Jordan Belfort is one of an asshole being an asshole. And he gets away with it.

While watching the movie I didn't really know what to expect. There's a plot, there's good acting, it's all very well done and very graphic. There's penises, boobs, drugs, everything you'd come to expect when it comes to lavish businessmen.

In the end it's a story I kind of enjoyed following but it also left me feeling empty and angry. Angry at this guy getting away with it and getting a biopic essentially.

So I'll give it the middle of the road; a 5. It is well done, but in the end it the film didn't give me anything I'd miss, or any insights or anything else valuable.

South Park: Post Covid - The Return of Covid (2021) Season 24, Episode 4

Tying a nonsensical plot together is South Parks's strong suit

[9/10 · 5 January 2022]

This episode is ridiculous. And I mean that in the best way possible.

There are so many jokes that tie together. No loose string left at the end.

I haven't watched South Park in ages and these four episodes have been great, but this one takes the cake. Everything is set up for the ending, and although it's a bit cheesy I laughed out loud multiple times.

For a show to grab every joke and small gesture and give it a fitting ending even when some things feel like throwaway jokes (the Alexa joke for example), I'm just amazed how it all fits together without it feeling forced.

The pace is high and all that now is left to do is to find out what the Japanese woman is all about.

Seeking a Friend for the End of the World (2012)

Well acted vs chemistry

[6/10 · 5 January 2022]

This movie is nice but you need more than nice to end up with something great.

The plot is good and the start is fun. The pacing is good and the combination of dialogue and action is balanced well. Towards the end however, the action dies down and in return there's more dialogue and a couple of poor decisions.

The biggest poor decision is the love story that's here. I won't spoil much, but it's save to say that there were a myriad of options for the ending that I would've enjoyed more.

All in all not bad, not great, just good.

Don't Look Up (2021)

Always think the audience is smarter than they are

[6/10 · 3 January 2022]

With humor I tend to love humor where thinks are implied or where jokes are a combination of actions and words.

With this movie the message is crystal clear, and that's also it's biggest weakness.

All actors are great, the story itself is alright. Yet I would've hoped for a story that would be more realistic. Sure social media is bad and our attention span is short, but come on! The similarities being drawn between archetypes of people is just not funny when it's so on the nose.

The best example is all the way at the end of the movie, where the 'punchline' is acted out when it wasn't needed. And with a 2 hour runtime there's plenty of space to cut these scenes.

So yeah, it's enjoyable but a bit shallow. The only saving grace is the acting performances of everyone involved. But you can't fix a bad script with good acting.

Fleabag (2016–2019)

A perfect show

[10/10 · 1 November 2021]

I'm enchanted by Phoebe Waller-Bridge. She's great at making a lot of ugly characters, and then making horribly awkward scenes they thrive in, where you see small nuggets of love here and there.

And I love how nothing is completely explained, but moreso felt. The relationships are really well done and the arc for Fleabag is great.

The other thing which is perfect is the way every character we come across has their own arc without it ever feeling like it's being forced. The focus never shifts away from Fleabag, but there's enough information in the conversations she has to notice the transformations of the different characters she encounters.

So all I can say is: it's perfect. And as much as I'd love a 3rd season, I might just rewatch this a couple of times.

Tremors (1990)

A nice movie, nothing special but lovely

[8/10 · 4 October 2021]

It's a classic horror movie.

The setting is small, the amount of people too. There's the pretty girl, the older men, a kid, two heroes, etc.

It's bog standard, but it still is nice. The pacing is good, the premise is nice and there's really nothing to complain about.

The only thing is that it's something that might've seen already. Horror movies have used this concept a thousand times by now. But to me that's not a bad thing. I enjoyed it.

Chasing Amy (1997)

Kevin, ever heard of bi-sexuality?

[1/10 · 2 October 2021]

This movie aged terribly. And even in '97 it should've been old-fashioned.

I honestly don't know how a script this bad could've been received well, ever. The whole notion this film is based on is dumb. The guy who can't get over a girl who's a sl*t is just horrible (especially when the guy mentions he doesn't mind a girl having slept with loads of other girls, because that's hot). And even though the movie tries to be self-aware, the ending is just terrible.

I never felt connected with the main character. He's so dumb that it's hard to even believe a girl who fought so hard to find her footing in this world will fall for him.

No, just no.

James and the Giant Peach (1996)

A wonderful bizarre tale with a nice moral.

[9/10 · 19 February 2021]

This is a fantastical movie. The script is wonderfully weird, the characters are all amazing, the animation is gorgeous.

The story itself is by Roahl Dahl, which is a story unlike anything you'll ever see. It's odd but even though that is the case, it is captivating. Every single character has a certain depth to it. Pacing is perfect, the songs are great (with Randy Newman you can't really go wrong).

The only downside is that it took me this long to discover this gem.

Soul (2020)

The best Pixar movie in a long time

[10/10 · 13 January 2021]

I've loved and watched pixar starting with the first Toy Story.

This movie however, is the first one I not only thoroughly enjoyed but also wanted to watch again as soon as the credits started rolling.

It's a perfect film. Perfect voice actors, perfect pacing, perfect editing; there's not a single thing that doesn't fit perfectly. It's also a tad darker than what I'm used to from Pixar, which to me is a good thing. The jokes are really really good and it's been a while since I've laughed out loud this much.

It's an instant classic and I hope that if you read this you've either already watched it and just wanted to know what everyone else thought, or you're about to. It's definitely worth it.

Death to 2020 (2020 TV Special)

Tries just a little too hard

[4/10 · 8 January 2021]

I love mockumentaries in general, and I had high hopes seeing the cast.

But the jokes often get explained just too much. Every single time I want to chuckle they add a line to put further emphasis on the joke, in case you missed it. Which to me is just really off putting. Half way through a lot of the jokes also got stale, and the director actually talking with the people being interviewed put me off as well. If you like series where jokes are explained all the time and you are easily offended, definitely check this out. Otherwise, don't bother.

Klaus (2019)

When animators love their craft you get Klaus

[10/10 · 6 December 2020]

I don't like Christmas, and I don't like Christmas movies. Most of them are just...obnoxious feel good movies that have terrible music.

Klaus is the exception to the rule, albeit it with one annoying song. But I can live with that.

The thing that really sells it for me is this: almost every single scene has a joke in it. Either a visual joke, a verbal one, etc etc. There's no stone left unturned when it comes to adding humor to Klaus. And it made me laugh out loud multiple times. The style fits the story perfectly, and it's pretty dark as well, without ever going over board.

Story wise it's a classic; original with all the elements you need, except they aren't where you think they are.

I can't recommend this movie enough; compelling character, great story, great animation. You only need to suffer through one horrible song, unless you watch the credits.

So yeah, watch it!

BattleBots (2015– )

Getting better every year.

[10/10 · 16 November 2020]

Battlebots used to be a show where the floor hazards would play a bigger role in damage as opposed to the actual robots. Everything was very rinky dink, and the few robots that were well build won.

Nowadays the budgets are bigger, the robots are badder, and the floor hazards have taken a back seat.

I used to dislike Battlebots for its fake sounds, overly American production and floor hazards (have I mentioned those yet?). I loved Robot Wars, which was waay better. Both got their reboots, and my opinion did a 180. Whereas Robot Wars went all out and had so many house robots and floor hazards a bot couldn't turn any way without coming in contact with either one, Battlebots went the opposite way. Only some saws in the floor and side, and two hammers - one controlled by each team -, and that's it. Combined with a fantastic pacing, great commentators, really good bots, it's just everything you could ever dream off.

The result is undeniably one of the greatest combat robot shows there is. Watch it if you want to marvel at all the technical engineering, and the destruction of it as well.

Jim Jefferies: BARE (2014 TV Special)

He has had better shows.

[2/10 · 21 August 2020]

I'll start off with the fact that I do enjoy Jefferies his schtick. His abrasive humor, when done well, can be really funny.

This show however, is just really misogynistic and I couldn't continue watching. The jokes are really geared towards men in a way that makes me uncomfortable. I bet the average fan will call me a snowflake, but it's just that the way he portrays himself makes it dull. Ricky Gervais can be a prick, but he knows what he is and uses it. With Jefferies this used to be the case, but this show just ain't it.

So yeah, if you like jokes about anal sex and how Jim likes it because women don't, then he'll be your cup of tea. If not, don't bother.

Westworld (2016–2022)

Watch it until Season one or two.

[8/10 · 1 August 2020]

Okay let me start by giving a short review for S1 and 2.

S1: sheer perfection. Great pacing, great characters, good story. S2: Enjoyable. Still great characters, bit too many plot twists, pacing is also a bit weird. I still liked it, even though the ending left a lot to be desired.

S3: Garbage. Utter garbage. New characters, a new world, and just no. No. If I'd want to watch poor CGI I'd go and rewatch 80s action movies. Everything what made S1 great is gone.

So my take: Watch S1 and S2. Talk about the ending with friends and imagine that being the true ending, and make a few adjustments yourself. But don't watch season 3.

Get Hard (2015)

Far from Ferrell's best.

[2/10 · 26 July 2020]

I love Ferrell for his good bad movies. He knows what he can and can't do and that's exactly what makes him funny.

Now this movie starts out pretty funny. The fact that it's pretty racist is a little bit off-putting but it's Ferrell and you know he's going to make dumb jokes but get it together, right? Well....no. Where with other movies there's running jokes that are great and sometimes heartfelt scenes that do hit the mark, this movie doesn't get further than having Hart be angry and Ferrell be clueless. Combined with a unhealthy dose of cliches, no chemistry except for the two stars of the show, a poor script and old jokes we're left with a very bland and boring movie.

365 Days (2020)

Toxic Masculinity at its finest

[1/10 · 17 June 2020]

This movie shows why a lot of movies from the 60s feel wrong.

Treating a woman like an object is just...not sexy. This panders to the 'I wish we could go back to the 60s'-crowd, where women were fulltime moms and rights were mostly reserved to white people (I write this a white man fyi).

All I can say is; yes dominating someone can be sexy. But not if the dominator is also your kidnapper, who wants you to fall in love with him and keeps you there for a year. Stockholm Syndrome anyone?

Besides these horrible decisions, the movie itself makes it even worse. Inconsistent shots where you're wondering where you're going because the editing is so bad you kind of go 'oh ok, apparently the previous scene was done?'.

Horrible acting. The story itself sucks big time. It's just in general confusing but also tedious and filled with cliches. Big dominant rich man, weak frail woman, woman likes shopping, man and woman likes party. Rich, bling, nice island. God it's so dull.

I think this has been the first movie I've watched where there are literally no redeeming factors. Just don't watch it.