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Kevin Phillipson (9923 KP) rated Doctor Who: Day of The Doctor in TV
Nov 26, 2019
Matt Smith (4 more)
David Tennant
John Hurt
War doctor
Zygons
Just finished watching again probably one of my favourite new who episodes and the perfect way to celebrate its birthday. Still going strong after 56 years hard to believe it's the longest running sci fi show in the world. Anyway back to the episode what can I say about it besides probably the best who casting of all time in John Hurt as the war doctor no one else could have played him quite like he does. the rest of cast are just as good and too bring the zygons as well brilliant but no loch Ness monster shame
David McK (3169 KP) rated Around the world in 80 days in TV
Jan 30, 2022
Around the world in 80 days.
One of Jules Vernes most famous novels, and the inspiration for many a movie (and even a 80s cartoon).
I've never seen or heard of a TV series until this one, which - in retrospect - actually surprised me quite a bit, as you think the story would (and does) lend itself perfectly to the episodic nature of the journey.
This adaptation stars David Tennant in the lead role, alongside strong support from Ibrahim Koma as the French valet Passepartout and Leonie Benesch as the gender flipped/reimagined journalist Abigail Fix (instead of Inspector Fix), while still keeping its late Victorian setting.
Yes, you know how it is going to end.
Still very enjoyable!
One of Jules Vernes most famous novels, and the inspiration for many a movie (and even a 80s cartoon).
I've never seen or heard of a TV series until this one, which - in retrospect - actually surprised me quite a bit, as you think the story would (and does) lend itself perfectly to the episodic nature of the journey.
This adaptation stars David Tennant in the lead role, alongside strong support from Ibrahim Koma as the French valet Passepartout and Leonie Benesch as the gender flipped/reimagined journalist Abigail Fix (instead of Inspector Fix), while still keeping its late Victorian setting.
Yes, you know how it is going to end.
Still very enjoyable!
David McK (3169 KP) rated Doctor Who: Once Upon a Timelord in Books
Nov 24, 2023
It's hard to believe that BBCs Doctor Who is now 60 (as of 2023).
Yes, you read that right: 60.
Albeit with a hiatus in the 1980s/1990s, until it's triumphant return in 2005.
And it's that later incarnation that is the main lead in this graphic novel, with perhaps-the-most-popular-modern-incarnation (Dr #10, David Tennant, soon also to be Dr #14) taking the lead here alongside his just-after-Rose-Tyler companion Martha. This is then a whistle-stop tour of the Doctor's various enemies, with the story itself being told as a story within a story by Martha to a group of alien monsters who feed off the pyschic energy released by storytellers.
Yes, you read that right: 60.
Albeit with a hiatus in the 1980s/1990s, until it's triumphant return in 2005.
And it's that later incarnation that is the main lead in this graphic novel, with perhaps-the-most-popular-modern-incarnation (Dr #10, David Tennant, soon also to be Dr #14) taking the lead here alongside his just-after-Rose-Tyler companion Martha. This is then a whistle-stop tour of the Doctor's various enemies, with the story itself being told as a story within a story by Martha to a group of alien monsters who feed off the pyschic energy released by storytellers.
Daniel Boyd (1066 KP) rated Bad Samaritan (2018) in Movies
Oct 3, 2018 (Updated Oct 3, 2018)
Tacky jump-scares (1 more)
Constantly asks you to accept huge leaps of logic
What A Waste
Bad Samaritan is a movie that I really should have liked. I am a huge fan of David Tennant, I love a decent thriller movie and the trailer for the movie teased an intriguing plot as well. Unfortunately, I didn't like much of it, in fact it really annoyed me how little I liked when watching this thing.
Let's start off with the cast. David Tennant is, - as he always is, - absolutely fantastic in this role. In any other better movie, he would be in with a shout for an award for this role, unfortunately he is surrounded by absolutely overwhelming amount of trash. Robert Sheehan does a serviceable job with what he has given, but some of the lines he delivers are just too forced and cheesy to be taken seriously. The actor playing his best friend is just playing a stereotypical nonchalant small time criminal. Kerry Condon plays the hostage that David Tennant is keeping in his house and she also does a decent enough job with the shoddy material she has been given to work with.
The only other positive that I can think of other than Tennant's performance, is the way that Tennant's character systematically ruins Sheehan's character's life. He makes him lose his job, he blackmails him via social media, he attacks his girlfriend and he wrecks his car. The way that this sequence played out reminded me of Frank Miller's Daredevil story Born Again, where Kingpin learns Daredevil's real identity and destroys his life piece by piece via the people he cares about. Don't get me wrong, it is done far better in Born Again and Born Again is a much better story overall than Bad Samaritan, but it was the only element of this movies plot that I liked other than what we already saw in the trailers.
Now that we have discussed the few positives that this movie has, let's go through everything else. First of all, I have never heard a more out-of-place, inappropriate score to go along with what is happening onscreen. It genuinely felt like a temp score that was put in preliminarily until the proper one was put in and then they just left it in and didn't bother going back to improve it.
Then there was the cheap jump-scares, Although they are mostly consigned to the first act in the movie, they are still far too frequent and totally unnecessary. The last one that I remember happening was so egregious, (when David Tennant was standing behind the detective outside the house,) it actually bordered on parody. There was no story justification for it whatsoever, why would this guy who is trying to appear normal and as if nothing is wrong, creep up behind a detective who is investigating him and just stand there like a creep to give him a fright? It makes absolutely no sense. To be honest, the movie is abundant with things that don't make any sense and you are almost constantly asked to make huge leaps of logic when watching it.
There's also the fact that this movie has no idea what it wants to be. Dean Devlin who directed this, also directed last year's Geostorm. Now Geostorm was a steaming pile of shit, but at least it knew what it wanted to be. The tone in Bad Samaritan is totally all over the place and doesn't work in any way or flow well at all. This movie also plays like a check-list of thriller movie clichés. Everything from cheesy flashbacks showing the villains messed up past to the detectives not believing the protagonist's claims even when he has photo evidence on his phone.
Overall, this film is a huge waste. David Tennant's fantastic performance that he puts in here as an unhinged, genuinely scary villain is wasted in this trash movie. The trailers showed us a potentially thrilling plot that could have really been exciting and engaging only to totally waste it on a flick full of mediocre production elements and a half baked storyline. The only reason that this scored 4 was because of Tennant's brilliant performance, if not for that, this movie would have scored a 2 at best.
Let's start off with the cast. David Tennant is, - as he always is, - absolutely fantastic in this role. In any other better movie, he would be in with a shout for an award for this role, unfortunately he is surrounded by absolutely overwhelming amount of trash. Robert Sheehan does a serviceable job with what he has given, but some of the lines he delivers are just too forced and cheesy to be taken seriously. The actor playing his best friend is just playing a stereotypical nonchalant small time criminal. Kerry Condon plays the hostage that David Tennant is keeping in his house and she also does a decent enough job with the shoddy material she has been given to work with.
The only other positive that I can think of other than Tennant's performance, is the way that Tennant's character systematically ruins Sheehan's character's life. He makes him lose his job, he blackmails him via social media, he attacks his girlfriend and he wrecks his car. The way that this sequence played out reminded me of Frank Miller's Daredevil story Born Again, where Kingpin learns Daredevil's real identity and destroys his life piece by piece via the people he cares about. Don't get me wrong, it is done far better in Born Again and Born Again is a much better story overall than Bad Samaritan, but it was the only element of this movies plot that I liked other than what we already saw in the trailers.
Now that we have discussed the few positives that this movie has, let's go through everything else. First of all, I have never heard a more out-of-place, inappropriate score to go along with what is happening onscreen. It genuinely felt like a temp score that was put in preliminarily until the proper one was put in and then they just left it in and didn't bother going back to improve it.
Then there was the cheap jump-scares, Although they are mostly consigned to the first act in the movie, they are still far too frequent and totally unnecessary. The last one that I remember happening was so egregious, (when David Tennant was standing behind the detective outside the house,) it actually bordered on parody. There was no story justification for it whatsoever, why would this guy who is trying to appear normal and as if nothing is wrong, creep up behind a detective who is investigating him and just stand there like a creep to give him a fright? It makes absolutely no sense. To be honest, the movie is abundant with things that don't make any sense and you are almost constantly asked to make huge leaps of logic when watching it.
There's also the fact that this movie has no idea what it wants to be. Dean Devlin who directed this, also directed last year's Geostorm. Now Geostorm was a steaming pile of shit, but at least it knew what it wanted to be. The tone in Bad Samaritan is totally all over the place and doesn't work in any way or flow well at all. This movie also plays like a check-list of thriller movie clichés. Everything from cheesy flashbacks showing the villains messed up past to the detectives not believing the protagonist's claims even when he has photo evidence on his phone.
Overall, this film is a huge waste. David Tennant's fantastic performance that he puts in here as an unhinged, genuinely scary villain is wasted in this trash movie. The trailers showed us a potentially thrilling plot that could have really been exciting and engaging only to totally waste it on a flick full of mediocre production elements and a half baked storyline. The only reason that this scored 4 was because of Tennant's brilliant performance, if not for that, this movie would have scored a 2 at best.
Vegas (725 KP) rated Good Omens in TV
Jul 11, 2019 (Updated Jul 11, 2019)
The 2 main charcters (1 more)
The story
I have read some Pratchett but I hadn't read this one, so didn't know what to expect, which also means I cannot compare the book to series... I watched it after being bombarded with adverts for it, and I am glad I did, it's wacky, funny and a bit bizarre with 2 main charcters who you actually can like and enjoy the complex relationship between the two... The acting chemistry Michael Sheen and David Tennant worked really well and the production of the show made it a really enjoyable series to just watch rather than watch and have to think too much, as some series tend to over think things.
I don't know if it was the whole of the book or if there is a sequel but hopefully we see more Good Omens in the future..
I don't know if it was the whole of the book or if there is a sequel but hopefully we see more Good Omens in the future..
Gripping and creepy
I will start off by saying I might be biased when it comes to dramas like this. I love true crime, especially ones based here in the UK. It may be because of where I work or my educational background, or just because true crime is a fascinating subject. Whatever the reason, I've heard about Dennis Nilsen before and this short series is a truly excellent depiction of him and his crimes.
Right from the start this is a gripping and chilling watch. It has a slow pace but fortunately not enough that it ever drags too much. The soundtrack in this is often haunting and really enhances the tension and suspense, as well as giving you the creeps. And speaking of giving you the creeps, whilst the rest of the cast are very good, the standout is by far David Tennant as the ridiculously creepy Nilsen. He really gives you the chills and watching this you're almost in disbelief that Nilsen was this nonchalant and manipulative. But if you'd watched the "Real Des" documentary shown after this series finished, you'd see that this was actually have Nilsen was. And not only that, but Tennant embodies him perfectly - in looks, accent and general manner and behaviours. I couldn't imagine anyone else playing him so well.
This might not be a pleasant watch for many as whilst it's still a dramatisation, it does go into some gruesome and rather horrific detail on Nilsen's crimes. But it's worth watching for Tennant's stellar performance if nothing else.
Right from the start this is a gripping and chilling watch. It has a slow pace but fortunately not enough that it ever drags too much. The soundtrack in this is often haunting and really enhances the tension and suspense, as well as giving you the creeps. And speaking of giving you the creeps, whilst the rest of the cast are very good, the standout is by far David Tennant as the ridiculously creepy Nilsen. He really gives you the chills and watching this you're almost in disbelief that Nilsen was this nonchalant and manipulative. But if you'd watched the "Real Des" documentary shown after this series finished, you'd see that this was actually have Nilsen was. And not only that, but Tennant embodies him perfectly - in looks, accent and general manner and behaviours. I couldn't imagine anyone else playing him so well.
This might not be a pleasant watch for many as whilst it's still a dramatisation, it does go into some gruesome and rather horrific detail on Nilsen's crimes. But it's worth watching for Tennant's stellar performance if nothing else.
Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated How to Twist a Dragon's Tale in Books
Apr 27, 2018
I am a huge fan of Cressida Cowell. She's on my Author Watch list! I think she's brilliant. This is the fifth book in the How To Train Your Dragon series, and it was just as clever and hilarious as the other ones. The writing is an interesting combination of poetic and satirical, with just a twinge of sarcasm. The characters are so full of life that I feel like they're my friends. The funny parts are hilarious, and the dramatic parts literally sent shivers down my spine. Only Cressida Cowell can make a fart joke and then make you want to cry two seconds later. Also. The audiobooks are narrated by David Tennant. So there's that. If you haven't listened or read them yet, do so immediately. I guarantee you'll want to be a viking within the first chapter. Appropriate for all ages - See more at: http://www.thelifeandlies.com/2016/07/book-review-how-to-twist-dragons-tail.html#sthash.sjH1e1ur.dpuf
BobbiesDustyPages (1259 KP) rated Marvel's Jessica Jones - Season 1 in TV
Mar 14, 2018
film noir style (3 more)
amazing character development
strong female characters
perfect casting
She'll kick your ass, steal your wallet and all without spilling her drink
Jessica Jones Season 1 was such an amazing take on the comic books and really just gave me what I've been missing from the Marvel Universe. Krysten Ritter was not someone I would have picked to play Jessica Jones but she took the role by the horns and really just blew me away.
The show has some of the not only best female characters I've come across but has some of the best relationships between female characters which a lot of tv shows and movies miss out on for some reason.
For me though David Tennant was just the one that stole the entire show every time he was on screen he just drew you in and you just could not look away from him.
The show has some of the not only best female characters I've come across but has some of the best relationships between female characters which a lot of tv shows and movies miss out on for some reason.
For me though David Tennant was just the one that stole the entire show every time he was on screen he just drew you in and you just could not look away from him.
Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) rated Bad Samaritan (2018) in Movies
Feb 6, 2020
Samaritan
I wish this movie was better, it had potential with a intresting plot, and David Tennant as a creepy psychopath villian but the two main charcters i didnt like at all. Their were boring, annoying and overall annoying and i could care less about. If it wasnt for those annoying main charcters than this movie would of been better. The psychological espect of this movie was good, but it could of done so much better, like it was setting up something but it didnt achieve what it was setting up. So overall this movie was disappointing.
The Plot: A young valet breaks into a man's home and discovers a terrified woman who's chained and gagged. After notifying the police, he soon becomes the target of the psychopath's wrath as he tries to rescue the victim that he left behind.
This movie had potential but it failed to live up its expectations. Overall a disappointing movie.
The Plot: A young valet breaks into a man's home and discovers a terrified woman who's chained and gagged. After notifying the police, he soon becomes the target of the psychopath's wrath as he tries to rescue the victim that he left behind.
This movie had potential but it failed to live up its expectations. Overall a disappointing movie.
Sarah (7798 KP) rated Deadwater Fell in TV
Feb 1, 2020
Let down by the ending
I don't tend to watch crime dramas on terrestrial tv, mainly because there's far too many. However there was something about the adverts for Deadwater Fell that really drew me in, and overall I'm glad I gave it a go.
This is a rather intriguing drama that's rather atmospheric and really draws you in. It has a great cast, and honestly I'll watch anything with David Tennant in it. As far as the outcome of the story goes, it keeps you guessing for the entire 4 episode run. However the problem is with the outcome and ending itself. It's entirely predictable and exactly what you'd expected from earlier in the series, and it's such a letdown. I was hoping for some sort of twist but this was sadly missing and it's such a shame as the rest of the series was rather good. They really needed to come up with a better ending!
This is a rather intriguing drama that's rather atmospheric and really draws you in. It has a great cast, and honestly I'll watch anything with David Tennant in it. As far as the outcome of the story goes, it keeps you guessing for the entire 4 episode run. However the problem is with the outcome and ending itself. It's entirely predictable and exactly what you'd expected from earlier in the series, and it's such a letdown. I was hoping for some sort of twist but this was sadly missing and it's such a shame as the rest of the series was rather good. They really needed to come up with a better ending!