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Awix (3310 KP) rated Kin-dza-dza! (1986) in Movies
Apr 4, 2020
Soviet-era comedy-SF resembles a high-speed collision between Mad Max and The Hitch-Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy as directed by Terry Gilliam. Earthling Everymen are accidentally teleported to the post-apocalyptic dystopia of Pluk, where lower-caste citizens must wear bells in their noses, social status is determined by the colour of your trousers, and most of the local language translates as 'koo!' Can they persuade a couple of dodgy locals to help them get home?
Possibly a little bit slow and overlong, and many of the jokes are probably too understated, but the desolate alien world is well-realised on a low budget (special effects are sparingly used, but look good when they are) and the intricately ridiculous society of Pluk has been worked out in impressive detail. Hard to tell whether the satire is aimed at capitalist society or communist, but perhaps this is the point: life on Pluk may be unfair, arbitrary, and often unintelligible, but then isn't that true everywhere? Well-played, solidly scripted for the most part (end comes unravelled a bit), very watchable and entertaining.
Possibly a little bit slow and overlong, and many of the jokes are probably too understated, but the desolate alien world is well-realised on a low budget (special effects are sparingly used, but look good when they are) and the intricately ridiculous society of Pluk has been worked out in impressive detail. Hard to tell whether the satire is aimed at capitalist society or communist, but perhaps this is the point: life on Pluk may be unfair, arbitrary, and often unintelligible, but then isn't that true everywhere? Well-played, solidly scripted for the most part (end comes unravelled a bit), very watchable and entertaining.
Barry Newman (204 KP) rated Dracula in TV
Apr 10, 2020
I missed this over Christmas so was quite chuffed to win a copy in a Smashbomb give away.
After watching all 3 episodes I have to say it takes some serious liberties with the source material (particularly in the devisive third episode) but as a whole I really enjoyed this. I am a fan of Sherlock (particularly the early episodes) so I liked what the team did here. The look is suitably gothic with a nice stream of dark humour running through. The production values and special effects were also quite impressive for a beeb production. I had never heard of Claes Bang before this but I have to say he was a brilliant bit of casting as Dracula.. charismatic and brooding.
Allot of people seem to hate episode 3 bringing Dracula to the present day but I personally found that episode allot of fun and an improvement over the slightly slow 2nd episode. (The first was the best by far though)
Overall though the series isn't quite something that will be regarded as a classic in years to come but I had fun watching it and will certainly recommend it.
After watching all 3 episodes I have to say it takes some serious liberties with the source material (particularly in the devisive third episode) but as a whole I really enjoyed this. I am a fan of Sherlock (particularly the early episodes) so I liked what the team did here. The look is suitably gothic with a nice stream of dark humour running through. The production values and special effects were also quite impressive for a beeb production. I had never heard of Claes Bang before this but I have to say he was a brilliant bit of casting as Dracula.. charismatic and brooding.
Allot of people seem to hate episode 3 bringing Dracula to the present day but I personally found that episode allot of fun and an improvement over the slightly slow 2nd episode. (The first was the best by far though)
Overall though the series isn't quite something that will be regarded as a classic in years to come but I had fun watching it and will certainly recommend it.
Barry Newman (204 KP) rated Men in Black International (2019) in Movies
Apr 27, 2020
Meh In Black
A fourth instalment of the MIB series isn’t a film anyone was really crying out for but never the less here it is. Unfortunately its watchable but ultimately quite underwhelming. All though they aren’t a patch on Smith and Jones I thought Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson weren’t actually bad casting and they do successfully replicate the chemistry they had in ‘Thor – Ragnarok’ and certainly try their best but are sadly let down by some pretty weak writing. The plot is messy and convoluted and the humour feeling pretty forced where the original was sharp and snappily written , it’s certainly a job to have any real emotional investment in what is going on . The effects let it down a bit as well with the alien creatures looking as obviously CGI as they did in the over 20 year old original. It’s not terrible though , you can certainly get some enjoyment out of it if you are in the mood for something fast moving and undemanding but you might struggle to remember what it was all about a couple of hours later. Hopefully the franchise ends here.
Otway93 (580 KP) rated The War of the Worlds in TV
Apr 19, 2020
Casting (1 more)
Special Effects
Story (1 more)
The Martians Reveal
Drawn out, dull, and not worthy of it's own title.
On first hearing about a new adaptation of War of the Worlds set in the original time and place as the book, I was incredible excited, as for some reason it has never been done.
Unfortunately, I, and my entire family were disappointed.
It's quite hard to review this without spoilers, as the main issue here is really the story, which has been so drawn out and distorted from it is no longer the story I know and love, but a show merely "based on" the book.
There are several critical differences in this story and the original story:
- The fates of different characters.
- The addition of pointless characters.
- The slow, intense reveal of the Martian invaders.
Despite these differences, the show could still have been enjoyable if it was not so drawn out. Without all the filler content, the whole thing could easily have been wrapped up into a much better 90 minute TV movie. Instead, the BBC drew it out in to 3 3 hour episodes that could bore the hind AND FRONT legs off a donkey.
Unfortunately, I, and my entire family were disappointed.
It's quite hard to review this without spoilers, as the main issue here is really the story, which has been so drawn out and distorted from it is no longer the story I know and love, but a show merely "based on" the book.
There are several critical differences in this story and the original story:
- The fates of different characters.
- The addition of pointless characters.
- The slow, intense reveal of the Martian invaders.
Despite these differences, the show could still have been enjoyable if it was not so drawn out. Without all the filler content, the whole thing could easily have been wrapped up into a much better 90 minute TV movie. Instead, the BBC drew it out in to 3 3 hour episodes that could bore the hind AND FRONT legs off a donkey.
Russell Evans (179 KP) rated The Mandalorian in TV
Feb 22, 2020
The Star Wars franchises new hope
The Star Wars franchises new hope.
As a massive Star Wars fan and being old enough to have experienced the originals, I really enjoyed season 1. While I have liked the new Disney Star Wars films to varying degrees, I haven’t loved them entirely. I didn’t have great hopes for Disney’s series - I found my own lack of faith disturbing.
I happy to admit I was wrong. It feels so much more authentic and more star warsy than the recent films, the filming feels nostalgic. With the absence of the politicised content that has pervaded the Star Wars universe recently, The Mandalorian is darker, grittier, great effects, action packed and (perhaps most importantly) just a simpler story – told well. Also worth mentioning is the awesomeness of The child aka ‘baby yoda’.
My only minor criticism would be that the episodes got to be a bit formulaic – Mandalorian turns up at new location, makes a new ally, defeats that episode enemy, moves on … reminded me a little of the weekly A-Team episodes. Just me?
Highly recommended - A must see for Star Wars Fans!
As a massive Star Wars fan and being old enough to have experienced the originals, I really enjoyed season 1. While I have liked the new Disney Star Wars films to varying degrees, I haven’t loved them entirely. I didn’t have great hopes for Disney’s series - I found my own lack of faith disturbing.
I happy to admit I was wrong. It feels so much more authentic and more star warsy than the recent films, the filming feels nostalgic. With the absence of the politicised content that has pervaded the Star Wars universe recently, The Mandalorian is darker, grittier, great effects, action packed and (perhaps most importantly) just a simpler story – told well. Also worth mentioning is the awesomeness of The child aka ‘baby yoda’.
My only minor criticism would be that the episodes got to be a bit formulaic – Mandalorian turns up at new location, makes a new ally, defeats that episode enemy, moves on … reminded me a little of the weekly A-Team episodes. Just me?
Highly recommended - A must see for Star Wars Fans!
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