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Reviews
Don't Worry Darling (2022)
This movie was like a derivative of a derivative.
I don't understand the reviews that say how original this movie was, um what? It was like a cross between Stepford Wives, Before I Wake, and Get Out or something.
I love Pugh but even her character has been portrayed countless times before. The clever one who just knows something sinister is going on and is going to figure it all out.
Too many plot holes to overlook. What do the husbands tell their friends and family? How does a person die for real if they die in the simulation? Jack was hit by nothing, not only did the glass not exist but Alices's hands were restrained. What was that plane even about? Why would Frank's wife kill him in the end? (That was obviously thrown in for shock value, except it wasn't shocking, just silly). I could go on, but I'm sure you get the point, holy as the water in front of the church.
Also Wilde just couldn't resist being in her own movie. What was even the point of her character, the one who knew all along...ok. I will say she can look super creepy, great for thrillers.
I also thought Styles was great, don't understand the hate there.
Seven Kings Must Die (2023)
A Respectable Alternate-Ending to the Show
Or at least that's what I've decided for myself.
Where to begin. As a huge fan of the show, I was excited but also nervous for this film.
I thought season 5 ended about as well as a show could, but I love Uhtred/Alexander Dreymon so much that seeing him again was great.
Ultimately, while I enjoyed the film, I think it was unnecessary to make. I haven't even reviewed the series, but I remember thinking after season 3 and Alfred's death, that the show lost a little something. I don't fault the creators or actors here, it's just an inevitability when main antagonists die.
But this movie gave me some of those same feelings. I knew that this would take place after the death of Edward, but man, such a shame to not have Timothy Innes in this, he was absolutely brilliant in that final season.
And there were just so many other characters who's absence was notable and really felt. Where was Lady Aelswith? Stiorra? Hild? Eadith? I remember thinking Eadith and Finan might end up together but that never happened...Sihtric's wife, I feel like I'm forgetting some.
While watching the film I had decided in my mind that Lady Aelswith had died peacefully at Bebbanburg (oh my god what an ending to that character in the show, I don't recall ever absolutely hating a character in the beginning to absolutely loving them in the end; they aged her really well in the show, I don't know why they didn't do that in this movie), but the only character they even remotely hinted at was young Uhtred being in Italy.
I also thought Aethelstan was great. Yes I was frustrated at his lack of trust in Uhtred after so long, but I also remember feeling frustrated at that in the show as well, so while I get the criticism there, it's something that had been felt before. Basically Uhtred is just too pure and good for this world.
I always loved the brotherhood between Uhtred, Sihtric, and Finan (and others). Finan's hilarious, "Uhtred sword of Uhtred" was an excellently delivered nod-to-the-fans line, and Sihtric is just the man, really touching when he puts his head against Uhtred's when they're reuniting.
The 7 (or 5) kings thing was rushed. Both the telling of the prophecy (they really should've built this up more), and the introduction of the kings. I don't think some of the kings had more than one line, although it was nice to see King Constantin and the Welsh king again.
I didn't like the Dane antagonist, Anlaf. He was just too goofy-looking. I remember thinking the antagonists became less and less formidable in the show. They should've kept Ubba around for longer, man that guy was good.
And wow, that ending. I was so moved, I definitely cried. I just wish they had done it slightly differently:
Instead of the hall, I think they should have showed a picturesque Nordic valley, and in the background is a great hall that is lit up, you can just tell there's a tremendous amount of energy inside.
And in the foreground there is Lady Gisela, standing in a field (like when Maximus dies in Gladiator).
And perhaps young Ragnar is nearby, Thira and Brida (maybe, ha). Also since it's Uhtred's Valhalla, or his journey there, I wouldn't have been opposed to seeing Beocca, Leofric, Halig, even Alfred! In some capacity as well, acting as guides let's say.
Uhtred is the quintessential warrior, so I get that ultimately it makes sense for him to die from battle, an ending like 300 would've worked here as well.
Part of my wants to believe that Uhtred lived, and became a sword master or something and taught young warriors for the rest of his days at Bebbanburg.
But thank you to the cast for such a wonderful show and capable film.
The Whale (2022)
I'm a fan of Aronofsky's work in general, and I really enjoyed The Whale.
I remember first hearing about this film, and it was described as a psychological thriller. I generally love psychological thrillers and was very excited to watch this film, I've been waiting awhile.
At first it did feel a bit like a psychological thriller especially with the soundtrack, man that was awesomely eerie. I wish there had been a bit more of it honestly. But I would not describe The Whale as a psychological thriller, more like a suspenseful drama.
Bit of a side note: I'm a fan of the TV show, My 600 Pound Life, and watched the first 8? Seasons (can't quite remember where I stopped).
Anyway, much of the criticism of this film seems to relate to it's portrayal of morbid obesity. If anything, The Whale didn't really even show the most grotesque aspects, it just conveyed much of the reality with carrying that amount of weight.
I do think Frasier was brilliant as Charlie, he felt completely real to me, and the initial realisation that Liz is an enabler, wow that was good.
I really could not stand Ellie, that was sort of the intention I guess, and I'm left wondering her true motives.
Anyway, off to watch it a second time, thank you for reading.
Boiling Point (2021)
A Solid Effort, Just Lacking a Bit
Boiling Point was good but ultimately it felt incomplete.
As Jerry Seinfeld once said, "if I wanted a long, boring story with no point to it, I have my life".
I think movies generally need some sort of resolution, I don't have to like the resolution but there should've been more there in Boiling Point.
Characters I wanted to care about and see more of only really get a scene or two, I also think they could've gone further with Stephen Graham's character.
But phenomenal camera work, doing it all in one take, that was quite enjoyable. And generally great performances by the cast.
It just left me wanting more.