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Awix (3310 KP) rated Edge of Darkness in TV
May 5, 2020
Age shall not dim its brilliance, nor dodgy big-screen remakes with Mel Gibson: Edge of Darkness remains a landmark piece of TV drama, of enormous scope and ambition. The pitch - grieving detective hunts his daughter's murderer - sounds straightforward enough, even if the plot rapidly becomes ferociously convoluted. The key thing is that the conspiracy-detective storyline is in many ways the least important thing about the series.
Lengthy theses could and probably have been written about all the things that Edge of Darkness touches upon in the course of its six episodes: Anglo-American relations, the military-industrial complex, nuclear power, secret societies, ecology, the future of the human race, and much more (the original script ended with the main character mystically transforming into a tree). Strong performances and great direction keep it engrossing even when it's not entirely clear what's going on (you can generally get a sense of the direction of travel, though, and episode five works as a terrific mini-action movie even in isolation). Martin Campbell went on to successfully relaunch the Bond franchise twice, but this remains his magnum opus.
Lengthy theses could and probably have been written about all the things that Edge of Darkness touches upon in the course of its six episodes: Anglo-American relations, the military-industrial complex, nuclear power, secret societies, ecology, the future of the human race, and much more (the original script ended with the main character mystically transforming into a tree). Strong performances and great direction keep it engrossing even when it's not entirely clear what's going on (you can generally get a sense of the direction of travel, though, and episode five works as a terrific mini-action movie even in isolation). Martin Campbell went on to successfully relaunch the Bond franchise twice, but this remains his magnum opus.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Hello Down There (1969) in Movies
May 10, 2020
The only performer to appear in three of the AFI's Hundred Greatest Films of All Time is Janet Leigh, which is quite an achievement, but she also turns up in a load of absolute dross, like this borderline-unwatchable musical comedy adventure about a family spending a month in an underwater house. Tony Randall is there for the older viewers; there are some swinging kids for the younger audience (a young Richard Dreyfuss keeps singing songs about goldfish); low-octane underwater thrills are occasionally attempted.
The list of people involved in this movie might lead one to expect something at least mildly interesting: Jack Arnold made many interesting SF B-movies, one of which (Creature from the Black Lagoon) featured co-director Browning in the title role; the cast list includes Randall, Leigh, Dreyfuss, and Roddy McDowell. And yet it feels almost aggressively anodyne and bland, horribly calculated, and made to TV-standard production values. Even when it was made this probably only appealed to the most undemanding viewers; nowadays it exerts a weird fascination if only as a relic of an unrecognisable sensibility.
The list of people involved in this movie might lead one to expect something at least mildly interesting: Jack Arnold made many interesting SF B-movies, one of which (Creature from the Black Lagoon) featured co-director Browning in the title role; the cast list includes Randall, Leigh, Dreyfuss, and Roddy McDowell. And yet it feels almost aggressively anodyne and bland, horribly calculated, and made to TV-standard production values. Even when it was made this probably only appealed to the most undemanding viewers; nowadays it exerts a weird fascination if only as a relic of an unrecognisable sensibility.
Fake Truth
3.0
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The only thing more dangerous than fake news is fake truth in this exhilarating thriller by #1 New...
Timeless Adventures: How Doctor Who Conquered TV
10.0
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Timeless Adventures reveals how Doctor Who has been at its strongest when it reflects the political...
Jordan Binkerd (567 KP) rated The Dukes of Hazzard: The Beginning (2007) in Movies
Aug 15, 2019
April Scott as Daisy Duke was hot - which is half of the appeal (2 more)
The stunts were decent - which is the other half
Harland Williams is hilarious, and I'll watch basically anything with him in it
Most of the cast - not necessarily that they were bad, but some were a bad fit for the characters (2 more)
The writing sometimes felt like a parody of itself.
The stunts were only decent.... and this is Dukes of Hazzard, where the stunts are the key.
Inconsistent and dumb
Ugh. And I thought the first movie was bad. Basically, this movie wants to be The Dukes of Hazzard meets American Pie but winds up closer to a parody of the classic show crossed with one of American Pie's less competent knockoffs. At times it hits the mark, true, but other times its almost more like a parody of the Dukes than it is the real deal. April Scott was decent in her role as Daisy, and turned out not to be just a mannequin for the shorts and crop-top, but the two leads? Less than stellar. Harland Williams is hilarious, but he's not a good fit for Sherriff Coltrane, who is supposed to be at least a little menacing if memory serves. Chris McDonald has made his career playing the corrupt businessman/politician role, which means he does it well, but his turn as Boss Hogg was just a generic rehash of a dozen other roles. As a final nail in the coffin the TV budget hampered the stunts to the point of not being able to save it. Go watch the show instead.
LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated It (2017) in Movies
Aug 9, 2019
The best way to describe the most recent adaption of Stephen King's It, is that it feels like a ghost train.
It's one scene after the next of spooky imagery and mild jump scares - it's not overly terrifying, but it's an enjoyable time.
I didn't find It to be particularly scary - there were parts here and there that were uncomfortable (the old woman in the background of the library scene - no focus on her whatsoever, but it gave me chills) and of course, the already infamous scene at the beginning with Georgie is hard to watch considering the age of the child.
But it's lack of all out terror is not a bad thing - the movie can concentrate on a hugely important aspect of the original book - the friendship shared betweens The Losers Club.
The young actors in this are great, all hugely believable, and likable, as they set off on their quest to stop Pennywise and his reign over the town of Derry.
In a world transfixed with Stranger Things, the atmosphere of It treads familiar turf, the 80s setting hitting the right nostalgic spots.
Bill Skarsgård makes a great Pennywise. He doesn't try to copy what the great Tim Curry did in the original TV movie, he makes it his own. He's not quite as sinister as Tim Curry, but he's damn entertaining, and his costume and make up make for a creepy enough clown.
I'm really looking forward to the upcoming Chapter 2, to see if Andy Muschietti can pull off the ending as well as he pulled off the beginning.
It's one scene after the next of spooky imagery and mild jump scares - it's not overly terrifying, but it's an enjoyable time.
I didn't find It to be particularly scary - there were parts here and there that were uncomfortable (the old woman in the background of the library scene - no focus on her whatsoever, but it gave me chills) and of course, the already infamous scene at the beginning with Georgie is hard to watch considering the age of the child.
But it's lack of all out terror is not a bad thing - the movie can concentrate on a hugely important aspect of the original book - the friendship shared betweens The Losers Club.
The young actors in this are great, all hugely believable, and likable, as they set off on their quest to stop Pennywise and his reign over the town of Derry.
In a world transfixed with Stranger Things, the atmosphere of It treads familiar turf, the 80s setting hitting the right nostalgic spots.
Bill Skarsgård makes a great Pennywise. He doesn't try to copy what the great Tim Curry did in the original TV movie, he makes it his own. He's not quite as sinister as Tim Curry, but he's damn entertaining, and his costume and make up make for a creepy enough clown.
I'm really looking forward to the upcoming Chapter 2, to see if Andy Muschietti can pull off the ending as well as he pulled off the beginning.
Tim McGuire (301 KP) rated Stephen King's A Good Marriage (2014) in Movies
Mar 3, 2020
A Stephen King Lifetime movie...
391. A Good Marriage. A Lifetime Entertainment movie written by Stephen King? That is what it feels like. Besides a couple of F bombs, its pretty tame. Stars Joan Allen and Anthony LaPaglia, two great actors, playing perfect married couple Darcy and Bob Anderson. Perfect house, perfect jobs, perfect kids. And then one night Darcy has to go out to the garage to get batteries for the TV remote, because who doesn't keep their back up battery supply in the non-attached garage? As she's reaching for the batteries, something falls and exposes a secret compartment containing a cute little box, their daughter had made Bob when she was a kid, awww, and that box contains the ID's of women murdered by notorious serial killer, Beadie, ohhhh. Once the realization of this sets in, and unknowing just what to do, guess who calls? Anyone? Anyone? Bob hears the panic in her voice tho she tries to say she was just startled, he's like coolio, see ya in a few days, cause he's on a road trip and all. So while Darcy is panicking in the house, guess who comes home early? Anyone? Anyone? And he knows she's been snooping, and as she freaks the hell out, he calmly tells her who he really is, and tells her how things are gonna be... Besides the after school special feel of it, still a decent story, well acted. Inspired by the BTK killings and his imagined family life in the mind of Stephen King, heard BTK's daughter didn't like its implications to much... Filmbufftim on FB
Phillip McSween (751 KP) rated Tyler Perry's A Fall From Grace (2020) in Movies
Aug 23, 2020
Destroyed By Pacing Among Other Things
After being accused of killing her husband, Grace Waters’ (Crystal Fox) only hope is a public defender trying her first case.
Acting: 3
To say the acting is weak is an understatement. Everything is either overdone or underdone, but nothing in the middle. A shame too as there are some really stellar names on the billing. I have honestly seen better dramatizing out of six-year-olds.
Beginning: 5
Characters: 6
Cinematography/Visuals: 3
Conflict: 7
If it’s one thing I can respect Tyler Perry for, it’s finding a way to incorporate consistent drama. More than most, he gets it. What I mean by that is, he understands that drama never has to be forced, rather you put two conflicting sides in the same scene and the drama will happen naturally. The problem here is that the drama in question wasn’t always interesting or intriguing.
Entertainment Value: 3
Memorability: 0
Pace: 5
Got bored real quick and I try and hold interest in movies even when I have to force it at times. Because there were so many moving parts and a lot of what felt like means to no ends, Also way longer than it needed to be.
Plot: 4
Resolution: 2
Overall: 38
Outside of some mildly interesting conflict and decent characters that were buried by a sticky plot, this movie left a lot to be desired. I tried, I really did. But with a movie so low budget it doesn’t even look presentable on a 4K TV, I have to pass on Tyler Perry’s A Fall From Grace.
Acting: 3
To say the acting is weak is an understatement. Everything is either overdone or underdone, but nothing in the middle. A shame too as there are some really stellar names on the billing. I have honestly seen better dramatizing out of six-year-olds.
Beginning: 5
Characters: 6
Cinematography/Visuals: 3
Conflict: 7
If it’s one thing I can respect Tyler Perry for, it’s finding a way to incorporate consistent drama. More than most, he gets it. What I mean by that is, he understands that drama never has to be forced, rather you put two conflicting sides in the same scene and the drama will happen naturally. The problem here is that the drama in question wasn’t always interesting or intriguing.
Entertainment Value: 3
Memorability: 0
Pace: 5
Got bored real quick and I try and hold interest in movies even when I have to force it at times. Because there were so many moving parts and a lot of what felt like means to no ends, Also way longer than it needed to be.
Plot: 4
Resolution: 2
Overall: 38
Outside of some mildly interesting conflict and decent characters that were buried by a sticky plot, this movie left a lot to be desired. I tried, I really did. But with a movie so low budget it doesn’t even look presentable on a 4K TV, I have to pass on Tyler Perry’s A Fall From Grace.
Power Rangers: Legacy Wars
Games
7.5
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Rita Repulsa, the space witch, has infected the Morphin Grid, creating virtual monsters and Ranger...
Charlie Cobra Reviews (1840 KP) rated Polar (2019) in Movies
Jul 5, 2020
The Black Kaiser - 8/10
Polar is a 2019 neo-noir/action movie based on the Dark Horse Comics, webcomic series Polar: Came From The Cold, written by Victor Santos. It is directed by Jonas Akerlund and written by Jayson Rothwell. Starring Mads Mikkelsen, Vanessa Hudgens, Katheryn Winnick, and Matt Lucas.
Duncan Vizla, a.k.a. "the Black Kaiser" (Mads Mikkelsen), is an assassin for the Damocles corporation. It is company policy that all assassins retire at age 50. He checks with a doctor about his health which is good and his accountant about his wealth; which having made the maximum pension fund contributions as possible, has him set for life. In 14 days, on his 50th birthday, he'll be entitled to a payout of $8 million dollars. Mr. Blut (Matt Lucas), has Vivian (Katheryn Winnick), Duncan's handler, contact him for one last mission. Unbeknownst to Duncan this is a plan to have him killed to avoid paying out his pension.
This me was awesome despite what critics say. I read a lot of bad comments talking about it being abhorrent and vulgar. It is rated TV-MA and not for kids and it is very adult. Plus it is a movie about assassins, people who kill for money, so what do you expect. I was surprised how much I liked the Black Kaiser character, since he didn't speak much during the film. Almost felt like a spaghetti-western in some ways, with the silent gunslinger aspect to it. I thought the film was very well done when it came to the acting, the action, and the plot. I'm sure that there are points to what the critics have said but the movie was too awesome for me to care. One thing, the main bad guy i didn't much care for. He did get me to not like him and with acting that's harder than getting people to like you. Also I enjoyed the group of assassins who are employed with the Damocles corporation, for the most part they were pretty interesting and diverse and added something extra to the film. And I was not prepared for Vanessa Hudgen's character but she had a surprising role and did very well too. I give this movie a 8/10.
Duncan Vizla, a.k.a. "the Black Kaiser" (Mads Mikkelsen), is an assassin for the Damocles corporation. It is company policy that all assassins retire at age 50. He checks with a doctor about his health which is good and his accountant about his wealth; which having made the maximum pension fund contributions as possible, has him set for life. In 14 days, on his 50th birthday, he'll be entitled to a payout of $8 million dollars. Mr. Blut (Matt Lucas), has Vivian (Katheryn Winnick), Duncan's handler, contact him for one last mission. Unbeknownst to Duncan this is a plan to have him killed to avoid paying out his pension.
This me was awesome despite what critics say. I read a lot of bad comments talking about it being abhorrent and vulgar. It is rated TV-MA and not for kids and it is very adult. Plus it is a movie about assassins, people who kill for money, so what do you expect. I was surprised how much I liked the Black Kaiser character, since he didn't speak much during the film. Almost felt like a spaghetti-western in some ways, with the silent gunslinger aspect to it. I thought the film was very well done when it came to the acting, the action, and the plot. I'm sure that there are points to what the critics have said but the movie was too awesome for me to care. One thing, the main bad guy i didn't much care for. He did get me to not like him and with acting that's harder than getting people to like you. Also I enjoyed the group of assassins who are employed with the Damocles corporation, for the most part they were pretty interesting and diverse and added something extra to the film. And I was not prepared for Vanessa Hudgen's character but she had a surprising role and did very well too. I give this movie a 8/10.
