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Girls - Season 2
TV Season
Following the urban adventures of a group of 20-something women, the series focuses on Hannah...
Bostonian916 (449 KP) rated The Dead Don't Die (2019) in Movies
Jun 27, 2020
I've seen some pretty tough reviews for this movie. However, I thought it was funny.
It was predictable. It wasn't earth shattering in any way. It didn't redefine a genre. But it WAS funny for the sake of being funny. Adam Driver and Bill Murray killed it (get it? get it?) as country bumpkin deputy's who are faced with a zombie intrusion. Satire throughout was quite funny.
I wouldn't go into this movie expecting it to change my views on anything. Just go into it expecting to have a few laughs for an hour and a half and you'll enjoy yourself. Improper expectations are the birth of terrible reviews.
It was predictable. It wasn't earth shattering in any way. It didn't redefine a genre. But it WAS funny for the sake of being funny. Adam Driver and Bill Murray killed it (get it? get it?) as country bumpkin deputy's who are faced with a zombie intrusion. Satire throughout was quite funny.
I wouldn't go into this movie expecting it to change my views on anything. Just go into it expecting to have a few laughs for an hour and a half and you'll enjoy yourself. Improper expectations are the birth of terrible reviews.
Bostonian916 (449 KP) rated Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015) in Movies
Aug 18, 2020
The cast and crew of this movie was tasked with the impossible job of living up to a fandom that has thrived (sometimes rabidly and maniacally, sometimes even toxicly) for almost forty years at the time of release.
Adam Driver, Daisy Riddle, John Boyega and company did an admirable job of continuing the saga that was started all those years ago. There was also some heartache to go around for those invested in the saga.
All in all, a good entry for a new generation of fans while also mostly satisfying fans of old without alienation (except for those toxic folks I spoke of earlier.)
Adam Driver, Daisy Riddle, John Boyega and company did an admirable job of continuing the saga that was started all those years ago. There was also some heartache to go around for those invested in the saga.
All in all, a good entry for a new generation of fans while also mostly satisfying fans of old without alienation (except for those toxic folks I spoke of earlier.)
Girls - Season 5
TV Season
Lena Dunham returns for the highly anticipated fifth season of Girls, the award-winning hit comedy...
Erika (17789 KP) rated BlacKkKlansman (2018) in Movies
Sep 1, 2018
I saw this movie around two weeks ago, and haven't been really able to decide on a number rating. I went between a 10, then an 8, but now I've settled on 9.
I haven't read the book, so I'm not sure how much the story was embellished and/or changed, but it was overall, an entertaining 'true story'. I know Spike Lee was drawing heavy parallels to today, which, is fine, but I think everyone would have still gotten the point without the last 5-10 minutes of news footage.
Adam Driver and John David Washington were a good team, and their work together was kind of what made the movie. The last scene on the phone was the best part of the movie.
I haven't read the book, so I'm not sure how much the story was embellished and/or changed, but it was overall, an entertaining 'true story'. I know Spike Lee was drawing heavy parallels to today, which, is fine, but I think everyone would have still gotten the point without the last 5-10 minutes of news footage.
Adam Driver and John David Washington were a good team, and their work together was kind of what made the movie. The last scene on the phone was the best part of the movie.
Silence
Shusaku Endo and Martin Scorsese
9.8
Rate It
Book
With an introduction by Martin Scorsese 'One of the finest historical novels written by anyone,...
hmmmm ...
A long time ago, in a galaxy far far away ...
Well, at least one part of that is right, with Adam Driver playing an alien long-haul transport astronaut (who looks and sounds suspiciously human) who crash-lands on a planet (I'm reminded of the opening of Pitch Black, here) 65 million years ago.
Our planet.
Just before the asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs hit.
Like, literally just before, with said asteroid causing him to crash and with it providing the 'timer', as he is trying to get off the planet just before it hits.
A planet that, here, is inhabited by all sorts of ferocious beasties: supposedly Dinosaurs, yet none known from the (current) fossil record, so they might as well just be generic monsters.
Not a bad concept, perhaps; I'm just not so sure about the execution.
A long time ago, in a galaxy far far away ...
Well, at least one part of that is right, with Adam Driver playing an alien long-haul transport astronaut (who looks and sounds suspiciously human) who crash-lands on a planet (I'm reminded of the opening of Pitch Black, here) 65 million years ago.
Our planet.
Just before the asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs hit.
Like, literally just before, with said asteroid causing him to crash and with it providing the 'timer', as he is trying to get off the planet just before it hits.
A planet that, here, is inhabited by all sorts of ferocious beasties: supposedly Dinosaurs, yet none known from the (current) fossil record, so they might as well just be generic monsters.
Not a bad concept, perhaps; I'm just not so sure about the execution.
Worn in New York: 68 Sartorial Memoirs of the City
Book
"a homage to the city's style, with everyone from Lena Dunham to Adam Horovitz contributing."...
Photography fashion
Sarah (7800 KP) rated BlacKkKlansman (2018) in Movies
May 25, 2019
Powerful
I have to be honest, I haven't seen a lot of Spike Lee's work although I loved Inside Man when that came out. So I wasnt entirely sure what to expect with this film, but I was pleasantly surprised.
This is definitely a strange film. It packs a powerful message but then is full of moments of sheer hilarity, which is definitely welcome in otherwise heavy scenes. But for the most part this doesn't detract from the true story this is telling. To be frank, some of this film is very disturbing to watch and the last 5/10 minutes that link to more recent events is harrowing and almost verging on overkill. The acting is second to none, especially Adam Driver and John David Washington, and the script and dialogue are very clever and witty. I do think this may be a little heavy handed at times and a little too long, but it's still a powerful and moving film.
This is definitely a strange film. It packs a powerful message but then is full of moments of sheer hilarity, which is definitely welcome in otherwise heavy scenes. But for the most part this doesn't detract from the true story this is telling. To be frank, some of this film is very disturbing to watch and the last 5/10 minutes that link to more recent events is harrowing and almost verging on overkill. The acting is second to none, especially Adam Driver and John David Washington, and the script and dialogue are very clever and witty. I do think this may be a little heavy handed at times and a little too long, but it's still a powerful and moving film.
Bob Mann (459 KP) rated The Last Duel (2021) in Movies
Oct 28, 2021
Three nuanced perspectives on a winter’s tale.
In Ridley Scott’s new movie “The Last Duel” we are in the late 14th century in France. And – apart from in one scene – it appears to be perpetual winter!
Plot Summary:
Widowed Jean de Carrouges (Matt Damon) is a battle-hardened warrior, loyal to King Charles VI of France (Alex Lawther). He is becoming progressively estranged from his one-time friend Jacques Le Gris (Adam Driver), a personal favourite of Normandy ruler Pierre d’Alençon (Ben Affleck).
But Carrouges’ lovely new wife Marguerite (Jodie Comer) accuses Le Gris of a terrible crime. But who is telling the truth? Only God can decide, as Carrouges and Le Gris must duel to the death.
Certification:
US: R. UK: 18.
Talent:
Starring: Jodie Comer, Matt Damon, Adam Driver, Ben Affleck.
Directed by: Ridley Scott.
Written by: Matt Damon, Ben Affleck and Nicole Holofcener.
“The Last Duel” Review: Positives:
It’s an intriguing script – the first collaboration between Damon and Affleck since their Oscar-winning “Good Will Hunting” from 25 years ago. It presents 3 different versions of “the truth” from three different perspectives. (One of these – Marguerite’s version – is suggested as being the ‘actual’ truth through a clever delayed fade of the chapter title). Many of the same scenes are repeated in each variant: sometimes with obvious differences in fact; sometimes with the slightest nuance of tone or expression; and sometimes with no change to the visuals, but with the benefit of hearing the dialogue being spoken. Very clever.
“Killing Eve”‘s Jodie Comer is just brilliant here. She is the master of nuanced expression, and she genuinely deserves an Oscar nomination for this work. Combined with her great and fun role in the surprise summer hit “Free Guy“, Comer is surely on a path to movie acting greatness.
Damon, Driver and Affleck also have great fun with their roles: they are all eminently watchable and this is a study in acting greatness. But I particularly loved Alex Lawther’s turn as the king: all excitable childish power in the body of a young adult.
Battle scenes and the final duel are delivered in visceral nature reminiscent of Ridley Scott’s famous battle and arena scenes in “Gladiator”.
Excellent production design and special effects on show here. Another Oscar nomination perhaps? The movie was filmed in the Dordogne region of France and also – after a 2020 Covid lockdown – in Ireland.
Negatives:
At two and a half hours it’s another long film (is October 2021 designated long film month??). And although the nuances between the different versions of reality are fascinating, there’s a degree of tedium involved in rehashing the same scenes (in some cases) for the third time. Arguably I think a few of these re-versions could have been omitted to reduce the bladder-testing run time.
Summary Thoughts on “The Last Duel”
This is Ridley Scott back on top form again. I found this a gripping watch. As the film opens, we are teased with the start of the ‘boss level’ duel between Damon and Driver. But these final dramatic scenes are the emotional lynchpin of the movie since only then do you understand the background and the ramifications of the fight.
Evidently, 14th Century France was NOT a great time for sexual equality. Women were merely chattels, denied not only fair play and self-determination, but also the bedroom niceties of foreplay and, in most cases, orgasms. As the story was based on real events, the courage and determination of Marguerite of Carrouges were extraordinary. And Jodie Comer’s portrayal of her wonderfully demonstrates, yet again, why she is the UK’s most exciting acting export for many years.
Plot Summary:
Widowed Jean de Carrouges (Matt Damon) is a battle-hardened warrior, loyal to King Charles VI of France (Alex Lawther). He is becoming progressively estranged from his one-time friend Jacques Le Gris (Adam Driver), a personal favourite of Normandy ruler Pierre d’Alençon (Ben Affleck).
But Carrouges’ lovely new wife Marguerite (Jodie Comer) accuses Le Gris of a terrible crime. But who is telling the truth? Only God can decide, as Carrouges and Le Gris must duel to the death.
Certification:
US: R. UK: 18.
Talent:
Starring: Jodie Comer, Matt Damon, Adam Driver, Ben Affleck.
Directed by: Ridley Scott.
Written by: Matt Damon, Ben Affleck and Nicole Holofcener.
“The Last Duel” Review: Positives:
It’s an intriguing script – the first collaboration between Damon and Affleck since their Oscar-winning “Good Will Hunting” from 25 years ago. It presents 3 different versions of “the truth” from three different perspectives. (One of these – Marguerite’s version – is suggested as being the ‘actual’ truth through a clever delayed fade of the chapter title). Many of the same scenes are repeated in each variant: sometimes with obvious differences in fact; sometimes with the slightest nuance of tone or expression; and sometimes with no change to the visuals, but with the benefit of hearing the dialogue being spoken. Very clever.
“Killing Eve”‘s Jodie Comer is just brilliant here. She is the master of nuanced expression, and she genuinely deserves an Oscar nomination for this work. Combined with her great and fun role in the surprise summer hit “Free Guy“, Comer is surely on a path to movie acting greatness.
Damon, Driver and Affleck also have great fun with their roles: they are all eminently watchable and this is a study in acting greatness. But I particularly loved Alex Lawther’s turn as the king: all excitable childish power in the body of a young adult.
Battle scenes and the final duel are delivered in visceral nature reminiscent of Ridley Scott’s famous battle and arena scenes in “Gladiator”.
Excellent production design and special effects on show here. Another Oscar nomination perhaps? The movie was filmed in the Dordogne region of France and also – after a 2020 Covid lockdown – in Ireland.
Negatives:
At two and a half hours it’s another long film (is October 2021 designated long film month??). And although the nuances between the different versions of reality are fascinating, there’s a degree of tedium involved in rehashing the same scenes (in some cases) for the third time. Arguably I think a few of these re-versions could have been omitted to reduce the bladder-testing run time.
Summary Thoughts on “The Last Duel”
This is Ridley Scott back on top form again. I found this a gripping watch. As the film opens, we are teased with the start of the ‘boss level’ duel between Damon and Driver. But these final dramatic scenes are the emotional lynchpin of the movie since only then do you understand the background and the ramifications of the fight.
Evidently, 14th Century France was NOT a great time for sexual equality. Women were merely chattels, denied not only fair play and self-determination, but also the bedroom niceties of foreplay and, in most cases, orgasms. As the story was based on real events, the courage and determination of Marguerite of Carrouges were extraordinary. And Jodie Comer’s portrayal of her wonderfully demonstrates, yet again, why she is the UK’s most exciting acting export for many years.