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Requiem for a Dream (2000)
Worthwhile but tough watch
What happened, really what the hell hsppened?
This is a must watch film
The story of everyday people who become addicted to drugs. Why is interesting and generally can be attributed to elevating themselves out of their current situation. The character studies here are excellent and portray the horror of what seems normal
There are many films about intentional or accidental drug abuse but I am going to reference what may seem an odd choice, Stepford Wives.
How did I get there? Well I started to examine the film title and what it meant. I think Requiem for the American Dream is what it alludes to.
The dream and how did it all go wrong and is it gone altogether, requiem indeed.
Ideal Home (2018)
How low can you go?
As a fan of Steve Coogan's pinnacle "Alan Partridge" I put on this movie. Paul Rudd is someone I have enjoyed in many movies and so this was looking good.
I watched as a domestic comedy played out, not as funny as it thought it was but it might get better.
Two males in a relationship, a struggling relationship, find themselves the guardians of a young boy, the grandson no less of Steve Coogan's character.
What we end up with is a very crude gag show where actual children are confronted with filthy jokes.
What world is this acceptable? Children are in this movie, they will want to be proud of what they have done but how can they be?
This is a shallow redemption story with no real redemption only a child having to put up with the lot he is given. Not much of a choice granted and hard to imagine that child services would not have been better.
Coogans character is a needy show off who gets what he wants and indeed takes who he wants and that situation is ongoing and probably will not change.
Think of it as a buddy movie with drinking and sex and swearing and then think of one of those buddy's being a child.
At the end of this tripe there is pictures of other people and I realised that this is a true story. The truth is there is a very very sad story here but this film does little to tell it. It was probably written by one of the main characters being portrayed and it probably should not have been.
How low can you go?
Coogans US career has been miss and miss, never quite getting anywhere. Shame but this film is a low for everyone involved and the only winner was the person who wrote this as Hollywood should not have paid one dime and should never have made this narcissistic rubbish.
House of Gucci (2021)
A one dimensional affair
House of Gucci is lovely to look at, the cars, the scenery and of course the clothes are opulent and fitting.
The film is a very strange affair. It is a film with very little depth and indeed the whole thing is like watching a recap of a story.
The family is pretty much unlikeable and appear quite mad. Al Pacino and Jeremy Irons are two Gucci brothers and we don't really know much about them. It seems that the brother Irons plays left the business to follow a film career and Pacino stayed to run the Gucci business.
I am reminded of "All About Eve", this film is similar in a way but far inferior. Lady Gaga is portrayed as a manipulator and perhaps gold digger. I found her to be those maybe but also a headstrong woman who had a plan. Nothing really wrong with that.
It's all very weak, limp even
No highlights at all , unfortunately.
The Equalizer 3 (2023)
Just what we wanted
I am so glad this film took the form it did. It was a really grown up film that did not disappoint. It delivered all that has been good with these films whilst not succumbing to cheap tricks
Set in a beautiful town in Sicily the whole film seems like a love story to the location and I certainly am not going to complain.
The story arc that spans the 3 films is satisfyingly concluded. Denzel Washington is joined by Dakota Fanning which is a gift to the audience and lovely to see them together after all these years since Man On Fire.
The good guy vs the bad guys continues a long successful tradition as old as time.
Recommended.
Hesher (2010)
It's a story but maybe not a great one
I watched this movie and boy is it frustrating
A journey of loss and anger and acceptance
So....... Whilst I watched it I came up with a theory which kind of played out , well until it didn't but I believe it should have.
HESHER WAS NOT THERE!
In the early parts of the movie and some later actual interaction with Hesher was through the boy and it seemed as though others ignored him. Where we might be seeing Hesher perform acts it may have been the boy.
I dont know if I cracked it but if so then the movie let's this down somewhat with interactions only Hesher could have done.
It's a shame because accepting Hesher as an imaginary character make sense and actually adds to the story.
Finally though, if Hesher was there then I feel a bit so what? About this film, shame.
Ghosted (2023)
Usually I watch all a movie to leave a review
Usually I watch all a movie to leave a review But in this case I could not, both my partner and I gave up.
I started off really well in a clumsy but endearing way, very quickly though it just got bad , really bad.
My first alarm bell was when. Cole , played by Chris Evans, did not know what his tracking tags were called. Now this stood out as odd as the film had set him up as an obsessive user of these. I think the script literally forgot 15 minutes on that it had done this.....
Sadie, played by Ana de Armas . Is cute and funny and then kick ass and not funny. The two characters struggle to keep up with an extremely lame international spy story.
Try it for yourself but I warned you.
Seeking a Friend for the End of the World (2012)
Underrated Beautiful Movie
There are two films that I feel give joy and comfort. This one and also Ben Stiller & Kirsten Wiig in "The secret life of Walter Mitty"
They are a beautiful pair of movies
This movie is what we need as humans to survive in this world even though survival is about to be taken away.
The other movie gives hope that life is all around you, don't look for it, open you eyes and appreciate the beauty.
Sometimes you may have to scale a mountain, dive into freezing Icelandic sea or something equally extreme to realise the immense privilege that has been bestowed upon you. Life on earth, the wonder and awe inspiring series of events that allowed any one of us to enjoy earths wonders.
As always love will save the day but, maybe not literally.
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)
An underrated feel good film
There are two films that I feel give joy and comfort. This one and also the Steve Carrel and Kiera Knightly movie "Seeking a freind for the end of the world"
They are a beautiful pair of movies
This movie gives hope that life is all around you, don't look for it, open you eyes and appreciate the beauty.
Sometimes you may have to scale a mountain, dive into freezing Icelandic sea or something equally extreme to realise the immense privilege that has been bestowed upon you. Life on earth, the wonder and awe inspiring series of events that allowed any one of us to enjoy earths wonders.
The second movie is what we need as humans to survive in this world even though survival is about to be taken away.
As always love will save the day but, maybe not literally.
The Holiday (2006)
Way Better Than I Thought It Would Be
On the 31st December 2022 I sat down and watched The Holiday with my partner.
For years I had dodged this movie. The first name anyone mentions is Jack Black and I find his acting in movies way over the top. I could not imagine him as a romantic lead and as it turns out I didn't have to.
The first 40 minutes was just as I thought it would be, a Cameron Diaz movie with sledgehammer humour. Then it settled down very nicely to become a gentle romantic tale. I do wonder if somebody took over the directing half way through.
The stories became more personal and the characters rich, I will not spoil the story but I was very and quite pleasantly suprised by this movie.
Passengers (2016)
Epic yet thoughtful
When do bad decisions turn out to be the best?
Constantly this film puts this question out there. Simply without the bad decisions the ship and crew would not survive.
This is a glorious Sci Fi epic. Beautiful in every way with deep character development.
Time is given to explore and enjoy the simplicity of the story and ultimately the dilemma that is thrust upon both characters.
My favourite leftover from the movie is the thought, what would I do?
Maybe a better question would be what would Robinson Crusoe do? This surely is an update of that classic tale
I do not want to spoil this movie for anyone so please, enjoy.
Better Call Saul (2015)
Absolutely awesome until series 6
What a show, where Breaking Bad starts we can assume this show will end.
There are some problems with a long running prequel not least the characters looking older than they do in Breaking Bad. I can forgive that as this was a masterpiece series 1-4.
The show was resurrected for a further series5 and 6 and whilst 5 is not bad it had lost some of the slick charm.
Series 6 is, however, a different animal. This series wallows in self indulgence. Arty and slow for simply the sake of it and really is one episode spread over three. Everyone will have a different take but I would much rather series 6 did not exist.
The Gray Man (2022)
Left me wanting it to be better
Really good to see Ryan Gosling again
Overall an enjoyable experience let down, quite a lot, by bad dialogue and directing decisions
The film starts off really poorly and then just when deciding whether to turn off it changed gear an started to grab my attention. This is the rhythm of the movie, flowing from really good to really bad and back again.
It's a shame but at least the good bits make it worth it. It's as though the director never knew when enough was enough. Sentimental scenes are dragged out. Fight scenes are overly long and stray into ridiculousness. Billy Bob Thornton is simply lazy in his roll, shame.
Was it just me or did Chris Evans look like Freddy Mercury ? And he played like Chett in Weird Science!
Cut 20 minutes from this film and it would be a lot better.
Spiderhead (2022)
Interesting idea but failed to explore
I am going to put this into 'Pass the time watchable'
It is no more and certainly easily forgettable so much so that I am truly worried that in a few years time I might have totally forgotten it and watch it again by mistake!
There is really nothing to discuss as nothing is either good nor bad other than the story really goes nowhere.
Shame as it was a reasonable premise and I lied, it looks good.
Another miss.
Interceptor (2022)
Inoffensive mindless tale
Got nothing to watch, this won't challenge your brain cells but it's by the number ok.
A simple story that really isn't worth going into. Imagine Die Hard 16 when the ideas ran out at 4, directed by an 11 year old with a producer that feels his cameos are the funniest thing in the movie
Elsa Pataky Is ok but not struggling to shine under the weight of a terrorist heist with global potential, and that is just the script 😆
It will have haters and fans, funny old world.
Only Murders in the Building (2021)
Finally a Good Show
Sit back and enjoy
Smart, funny, safe but will surprise with an edge
Steve Martin , Martin Short and Selina Gomez
Steve Martin superbly plays an understated Steve Martin
Martin Short is excellent and plays himself with his superb timing and restrained whacky humour
Selina Gomez I have never found to be particularly engaging but suits this role perfectly as someone who does not want to be engaging but cannot help herself.
Recommended.
The Lincoln Lawyer (2022)
No Spark No Joy
I have watched 5 episodes so far and I think I have given it a good enough go
There is literally nothing to recommend this show. All the pieces are there but it is so flat, no fizz.
The main character is characterless but that can work sometimes if the other leads, the story and acting allow it. They don't, it reminded me of shows in the late 70's or 80's where things don't need to tie up or make sense as long as it looks good and is perky. This show looks good but has no perk.
No need to say anymore, try it and it could work for you.
The King's Man (2021)
Truly Terrible
This movie is almost unwatchable
Every bit of the film is explained to the audience like they are idiots
The music is by the book sentimental mush all the way through, it is relentless
The story is so lame, no depth at all
The acting is gung-Ho throughout, it lays the foundation of the Kingsmen with a large trowel. You will miss no nuance, no hints, no clues as it is impossible to do so.
Embarrassing movie for all who made it.
The Thief, His Wife and the Canoe (2022)
Thin on drama and content
I remember every detail of this case very well.
The disappearance didn't register originally but in 2007 the story really was all over the news. I thought it fascinating.
All these years later and a dramatisation was inevitable.
Good cast, it's a good story but...., it certainly is not worthy of 4 episodes.
I guess because I knew the story I was not the audience they were looking for. For me it is very pedestrian but then it's about a British couple who look like they were ramblers pulling off a massive fraud.
It's ok, worthy of two hours of your life not four.
Nightride (2021)
The Pressure Is On
Not the first follow a guy in a car on the phone film but it's very good!
The pressure is on for Moe Dunford to complete a drug deal before losing the deposit on a legitimate business enterprise.
Without spoiling, the heat is turned up pretty quickly. The simple story is revealed via these phone calls and the action never leaves Moe as his journeys take him further from the night he had planned.
The acting, filming, locations cannot be faulted.
Highly recommended.
The Bubble (2022)
It's a solid 5
Strangely watchable but why?
No quotable lines
Too long
Lame jokes
Everything is weak but it's so "meh" that it's just an inoffensive trickling movie
I guess the very best I can say is..... It's Not Horrible.
Boiling Point (2021)
Service !
I own a restaurant and although I would not employ most of them the cast made this a believable story. "One night in the life of ....."
With no set up you are thrown straight into the pressure of a restaurant. It seems head chef, Stephen Graham is already on a back foot and things are only going to get worse. As the night continues it is revealed the pressures are probably greater that he is able to handle.
The whole cast was superb and without a doubt everything was so believable that I was transfixed , indeed transported as a fly on various walls of that restaurant watching life unfold.
For me the film is exactly 1 minute too long, that one minute was unnecessary and indeed was a cheap ending. It did not need it.
The Power of the Dog (2021)
Everything in place but a story
This film looks fabulous and is worth watching for the scenery and sets alone. Authentic? Who am I to say but I believe it.
The acting is edgy at times, so well done that you feel the uncomfortable situations, every character is well done.
What is wrong?
The story. Really? What a waste. Actors acting their heart out for what?
The writer, producer should be ashamed. The director did the best with the material.
A shame as it is all set up so well but fizzles out quickly to nothing .
The Future (2011)
Failing To Fulfil Promises
An odd film seemingly about a couple, Jason and Sophie who are stuck in a relationship going nowhere
They lead a samey existence and reach a crossroads in their relationship. Just before this point they help an old stray cat, unsure whether they will be together to look after the cat the rest of its life they eventually decide they will adopt it and promise to return in 30 days.
Jason quits his job as a phone based IT support to educate the public of environmental issues disguised as tree selling. Sophie randomly find the telephone number of a man on the reverse of a painting and makes contact.
Jason finds an older guy who finds purpose in his life selling objects. Sophie discovers the restrictions of a suburban lifestyle.
Throughout this is the story of Paw Paw, the cat. A cat happy with his lot but then for the first time ever has discovered the human touch. Paw Paw is careful not to show too much to the humans but inside is ready for this move, indeed it seems it has been waiting it's whole life for someone to pick it up and want to care, and play and love this cat.
Pieces of Her (2022)
A mystery why?
This enough material for 4 episodes only
This starts off as a cracking mystery and over the series slowly descends into a kitchen sink drama.
The mystery is how this got made in this form
There is so much flicking backwards in time that I was never entirely sure who was who. One character dying in a hospital of cancer I still have no idea who it was or why she was there.
The younger versions of the main characters looked nothing like the older versions.
All this may seem nit picking but it is soo drawn out, so messy, so secretive that in the end it isn't anything. Do not expect the loose ends to be neatly tied up either.
What a mess.
Uncut Gems (2019)
Uncomfortable Masterpiece
From the first minute this film is full on.
Adam Sandler is superb playing Howard a Jeweller always just one deal away. His life is a spectacular feat of juggling that is permanently that one deal away from coming crashing down or it will clear his nut completely. Here we have it in life the are winners and losers and this guy wants to be a winner, the laws of the universe do not change.
It is loud, offensive, fast, very fast, uncomfortable , well written. We end up rooting for Howard, it's a bumpy journey of all the pieces of his life and his business coming together.
We join Howard a couple of days before the biggest deal of his life. Don't count your chickens before they hatch.
I hate the gratuitous parts but it's these that give the film its weight.