mweratcliffe Reviews

The Boys in the Boat (2023)

Lots to like but its no Secretariat

[7/10 · 16 May 2024]

I recently re-watched the Disney film, Secretariat, and a day after that I watched this film, the Boys in the Boat and I have to say that there are points of comparison, especially when The coach in the film compares the eight rollers in the boat to different parts of a single horse in a race. The problem with this film is that it deals with the subject matter in exactly the same manner and tries to construct this film as if all the component parts are different, but will work together as one and, sadly they don't. They do work together well, but not exactly as one and while, this film does pull at your heartstrings in certain scenes, it is nowhere near as thoroughly successful as the Disney film Secretariat where all the component parts work in synchronicity through one emotional peak to the next and finally to the moment of ultimate success when the race - for the horse the trainer the jockey snd ultimately fir the owner and viewer is won. There is just some element of pacing of stoy telling of heart that is off beat or missing here that leaves us with s good but not a great film. Read the book. You'll understand.

Wish (II) (2023)

Turning 100 is Tough but Disney's Heart Strong

[9/10 · 18 April 2024]

I agree with many comments about computer animation while celebrating 100 years of animation and that the songs were not "stellar". I suspect however that many people did not stay in the theatre or let the movie credits run through to the end to see the easter egg at the end which was really the "Stitch" that pulled it all together and brought a tear to my 70 year old eye. The film does entertain and goes beyond the usual "family" message that is at the heart of so many animated films. This movie speaks to community. Everyone in a community has dreams and there is no reason we can't all be safe when we wish upon a star and work to fulfilling those dreams. Its a message we know is true and that needs a bit of extra support these days to help us over the hump of doubt and fear that is being fostered in politics today. I think this film is highly under rated and will in years to come find a place among the stars in Disney's library of animation classics.

Constellation (2024)

The series needs a season two to be complete and meaningful.

[5/10 · 13 April 2024]

I've given the series a five out of 10 primarily because while we acting set design cinematography, we're all good as was the development of the "space" ghost story my feeling is that without at least a second season to further flesh out and resolves some of these these mysteries the eight episode first season leaves me cold. Nothing about the ending of the first season is satisfying. We have no idea whether or not there is truly, within the fictional world we are presented with, that there is not truly a space related psychosis that creates this schizophrenic behaviour on the part of certain astronaut who have been to space or indeed, there is crossover between parallel worlds that is happened related to the device on board the space station in episode one and the accident aboard the station which occurs within that episode. We have no idea if this is all some terrible accident or given the final shots of episode eight there is something actually evil afoot. What we are left with is a lot of unanswered questions and a feeling of if you're not going to tell me what this is all about why did you even bother making it? So I hope that there is a season two And that it will be able to answer our questions in a satisfactory way. If there is a season two, and it does do that, I will revisit my rating. At the moment I wouldn't recommend anyone waste their time watching this if these 8 episodes is all there is ever going to be.

Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2024– )

Sad

[2/10 · 3 February 2024]

I say sad because it feels like so much of modern television is trying to manipulate us into normalizing abnormal situations and the abnormal reactions of people to those situations, which, given the context of the world today I believe, is unhealthy and has actually contributed to what is a very unhealthy sociopolitical situation in our society. The characters in this show have agreed to be hitmen. As an audience we don't know if they're working for the "good guys" or "bad guys" but what we do know is that they're quite willing to kill people for money and have no qualms about doing so. Overlaid on top of this is the "meet cute" of a romcom juxtaposed against all of the murderous and antisocial behaviour that they display in carrying out their sociopathic work. As an audience, we are asked to see this as normal. They're just a "normal" we're having trouble adjusting to working together and living together and determining whether or not they want to or don't want to have children like this is just just, a normal suburban couple with normal suburban problems, which happened to be that they're under a lot of stress, because they go out and murder people all the time. I think the show is well produced, but of course, everyone is upper middle-class (look at the clothes, look at the furniture look at the house) which, of course is calculated to help North American audiences understand this situation as normal. I think the acting is perfectly acceptable, and I like both of the actors and how they are performing the starring roles. But most importantly, I think that this show is terrible and it's sad that it is presenting a world in which we accept as normal, that people are so completely sociopathic that they are willing to do anything to have these beautiful clothes, this high-end furniture, and this custom home that they will kill indiscriminately, and without question anyone that they contractually aimed at killing. If you want to know why people today have a problem, figuring out what's real and what's the truth , this show and the history of shows like it that have let us here. Dexter is probably an example is exactly why North American society in North American politics is so f'd up. It's truly sad.

The Family Plan (2023)

Surprisingly Excellent

[10/10 · 20 December 2023]

What starts out looking like a tired and familiar plot gets turned on its head and ends up being something you really couldn't have predicted from the promos or the set up scenes in the actual movie. Engaging characters, a decent amount of actual laughs, fast and furious action sprinkled throughout and while it is a family movie - its almost sugar free with no saccharine added. Wahlberg is always engaging and it's great to see Michelle Monaghan back in action this time as the spy wife who can handle the truth and look great kicking some ass in her own "soccer mom" way. The kids appeared to be obnoxious but were relatively real in the suburban social media world they inhabited. Normally I would never rate this genre so highly but I really enjoyed this ride, know I will watch it again and in the end felt that it was surprisingly excellent.

The Morning Show: Update Your Priors (2023) Season 3, Episode 9

So cheap

[1/10 · 18 December 2023]

I don't know how they got these actresses to do these scenes except to accept the theme of this series that people will do anything for money and power. Laura is supposed to love Bradley. She knows Bradley's brother is an addict and has mental health issues. Yet she is so morally affronted by the fact that Bradley tried to protect her brother and his family and yes - herself and Laura - from the onslaught of the press and prosecution because of her brother's wrongful participation in J6, that she slashes the whole relationship in this awkward clumsy "fake" outrage during an argument about it. It's so cheap and tawdry. I'm sure next season Laura will be trying to woo Bradley back and the crappy writing on this show will have that work for an episode or two until they can develop a new tawdry plot to have Bradly stab Laura in the back. Just so cheap.

Lessons in Chemistry (2023)

A terrific love story

[10/10 · 14 December 2023]

It is hard to think if how I can write 600 characters to say what the title if my review states. I have a few movies that I return to year after year when I'm down and need a lift. Shows that make me fall in love with love. Movies like When Harry Met Sally, Adams Rib, Christmas in Connecticut, Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, Sleepless in Seattle, The Closer and every Jane Austin adaptation. I know I will have to return to Lessons in Chemistry again and again because it is a great love story. A love of chemistry, a love of science, of faith, of friends, of family, of food and the whole crazy chaotic mix that makes up the love of people, places, things, and the memories of our lives. This series is solidly among the best "falling in love with love" stories I will love to love for a very long time.

Monarch: Legacy of Monsters: Parallels and Interiors (2023) Season 1, Episode 4

Off the charts terrible

[4/10 · 2 December 2023]

So they are in Alaska, which looks like it's standing in for the North Pole. There is deep heavy snow and thick glacial ice everywhere. The wind is howling. One of the characters gets her lower legs and feet wet, and at the time of the event the water is apparently so cold that even though she is being stalked by some huge Sci-fi creature that can freeze-dry you solid like a dragon can bbq you with its blasted breath, she can barely contain her screams because she's so cold. The characters move on for hours trying to save her from hypothermia. The sun sets. They search for shelter and split up to do so. The hours pass. One character passes out in the snow like a man in the middle of the Sahara without water. The character with, what by now should be solidly frozen legs has neon blue lips and is on the verge of passing out too. Meanwhile - throughout the ongoing action none of the characters have their hoods up or the tops of their winter outerwear zipped up and closed to retain maximum body heat. They look like they are out for a winter walk in some Hallmark movie version of Christmas in New England. Off the charts terrible.

EXmas (2023)

Truly Awful

[1/10 · 24 November 2023]

A very confused TV movie. Is a hateful family loving? Is an "ex" having an ongoing relationship with your family behind your back (after a 6month engagement) loving? Is a baby Jesus being repeatedly stolen and replaced with dinosaurs respectful. Is your father talking about his balls tingling really family friendly fun. The whole show is filled with absurd ideology. Dad "doesn't think covid is real" Mom is "always UP!" even when its obvious she's down. The daughter is a lesbian and the woman who the romantic lead dates is wanting a 3some with her male friend. Yes all of these things happen in the real world including people who run fireplace videos on their TV during the holidays. The thing is that the way these elements were incorporated into this show feels totally artificial and awkward. In the end I disliked every character and felt that this show was truly awful.

The Continental (2023)

Tedious

[1/10 · 8 October 2023]

I have watched all three episodes, and while there are probably 15 to 20 minutes of decent action in the approximately 4 1/2 hours of film, the rest of the time is tedious to watch. There is far too much TV dialogue between the characters who angst over their past their present, their future, their relationships, their values where they're going where they've been, and it all slows the pace to the point where you really don't care. Just get on with it. Winston's backstory is fairly straightforward and fairly simple. If this had been a two hour TV movie filled with shorthanded relationships of good bad, black, white loyalty, disloyalty, and lots of action, it would've been a great addition to the John Wick series but as it stands, it's really tedious. For anyone who really enjoys the John Wick franchise, and the four movies that we have been able to enjoy so far this effort is a total disappointment.

The Continental: Brothers in Arms (2023) Season 1, Episode 1

Mostly Boring

[6/10 · 26 September 2023]

How Winston got started could have been established in 5 minutes. The storyline is simple and yet the first episode takes up far to much time establishing itself and is far too talky for the John Wick Franchise which is I guess why it's TV and not a movie. It's not that the action wasn't good but it is far too sparse. Some viewers will love the 70's soundtrack - I hated it in the 70's and still do - but beyond not enjoying the psychedelic "needle drops" as one critic refers to them - there were far too many of them - we get the message pretty early on that this was a dirty 1970's costume drama and didn't require quite so many loud and imposing musical reminders. All in all its interesting to have Winston's back story and the action that does exist in the episode is "Wiskesque" but to date this is the weakest entry in the series of Wick World Lore and deserves no more than a 6.

The Catch (2016–2017)

A very complicated show about absolutely nothing

[1/10 · 24 September 2023]

The basic plot is that there is a very well established British crime syndicate apparently worth mega bucks trying to establish themselves in the US. All of the episodes however involve complicated personal relationships Personal vendettas and some fairly silly little crimes plotted just to be able to get revenge on someone in this incestuous crime/detective/FBI family. Nothing really happens over the two seasons of the series other than foiled plots backstabbing and a lot of high school soap opera antics where characters can't make up their minds about whether or not they are good or bad or gay or straight in love or not which of course leads to at least 8 plot twists per episode and the cancellation of the series wherein nothing is satisfactorily resolved. It all looked glamorous and flay fun for the first episode or two but quickly becomes juvenile and tedious in the extreme. Truly a waste of time.

McMillan & Wife: Till Death Do Us Part (1972) Season 1, Episode 6

Truly excellent example if how terrible 70's TV was

[2/10 · 10 September 2023]

The commissioner of the San Francisco Police force doesn't live in a home secure enough to offer him a secure garage to park his cars. He has to park on the street exposing himself and his family to all sorts of possible physical threats to life and limb. Cars parked on the public street are exposed to tampering which could also result on life threatening injury the next time they are driven by him or his family. On top of which he drives an open roadster which is left fully exposed to passers by and the elements.

He's the Commissioner of Police and the only other cop he can call is Enright? Really - its a two man sheriff's operation in 1970's San Fransisco!?

Then there is the serial killer running around SF on his 7&8th victims, the police are upset by their inability to catch him and the news media hounding them to the point the Commissioner announces the killer will be caught before he is able to kill again and what happens? The commissioner decides that very night to take his wife to Acapulco - or so his only backup and very dumb Sargent Enright believes. And so Enright decides good policing in this high stakes game of life and death and high stakes politics is to arrange to leave town on a holiday himself with a very unlikely candidate as his date. Unbelievably dumb and an insult to viewers.

You cannot get much worse plotting than this and its disturbing to see it so highly rated.

X-Men: Dark Phoenix (2019)

Terrible idea

[1/10 · 24 July 2023]

This movie fails badly not because of acting directing or special effects. It fails because the Jean Grey character is a terrible unsympathetic character. She's detestable and there is nothing that can redeem her. She is written to be, as many villains are, emotionally stunted snd lashing out at the world because they just can't have a good cry and grow up. They went through this story in the earlier. In The Last Stand. It was terrible then and does not bare repeating in this "reboot". From the moment she is overtaken by her personal drama and allows her dramatics to start killing people all you can hope for is her death and having he kill her father all those years after he survived he first blow-out does not make us understand her pain or make us more sympathetic to her plight. Jean Grey is one of the worst characters in the genre. It was a terrible idea to centre this film on her.

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (2013–2020)

Not terrible, but seriously flawed

[7/10 · 12 February 2023]

Right now I'm at the end of season two and grant it I am streaming so viewers of the original airing of this series on ABC may not have so easily caught a major flaw in the premise of the show. Theoretically shield is running around doing all of this subversive coercive covert activity to protect everyone else in the world meaning you and me and those we love from people who are doing bad things or aliens who might have super powers and do super bad things, the only problem is that by the end of season two, the only thing that shield has done is be attacked by hydra attack, hydra attack itself, and run around protecting itself, or fighting its own agents. There has been almost no activity involved in the series at this point, where in we can see that shield is protecting regular folks from bad guys , this is a major flaw. It's not terrible. It's just very flawed.

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: Afterlife (2015) Season 2, Episode 16

One of the worst written episodes in the series

[6/10 · 12 February 2023]

There are a lot of holes in the various plot lines that run through this series, but this is one of the worst written episodes. Sky is whisked away by Gordon to some location that no one knows where it exists except Gordon. She wakes up with what looks like acupuncture needles all over her body, and is greeted by Gordon and the young alien medical student who knows that she arrived two days ago, and has been unconscious until this very moment when he arrives in her room. From there the med student goes on to say several times "I thought you knew". Why in the world would he think that she knows anything. Surely to God, he spoke to Gordon about the patient he was treating and would've known that she didn't know anything about her transition or her powers, or how to control them yet the riders keep insisting that he be so stupid as to constantly assume she knows everything and his stand when she doesn't know who she is what she is and or what she can do. I don't know who the actor is I guess I could look him up but really I'd look back at this part in my career and think God I wish I hadn't had play such a stupid, poorly written character as this young alien medical student. Terrible writing.

Lightyear (2022)

Excellent

[9/10 · 29 January 2023]

I'm not reading any of the other reviews because apparently there are a lot of ones and I don't need to read them. If I had been a kid and gone to see this movie, I would've wanted to buzz light year toy and that's all I need to know. I can understand why Woody would be jealous of Buzz because he represented all of the hope of the future, and would have stimulated a whole lot of new imaginative adventures for me. Great action. Great heart. Great story I'm not sure why anyone would not have enjoyed this film about not giving up on yourself or on your friends. I am impressed with the whole toy story franchise, and will continue to watch and rewatch all of them as the years go by. Thanks, Disney Pixar.

Everybody Loves Raymond: Favors (2005) Season 9, Episode 10

Marie has no taste

[8/10 · 14 January 2023]

In this episode, Marie tells dab that her husband, Frank "dresses like a derelict", which couldn't be further from the truth. Pick an episode any episode out of the nine seasons of the show, and take a good look at the character, frank Barone he is always impeccably, dressed in casual clothes, his pants his shirt, his sweater are always well coordinated, and they always look brand new. For all the food, Frank eats for all the big laughs about Frank's expanded belly and how he hast undo is belt and unzips pants, I don't believe I've ever seen a retiree who is supposed to be as cantankerous and manly as Frank Barones character is, and yet is so well dressed. I wouldn't be surprised if they've ever done a close-up of his hands that he would've displayed impeccably, manicured nails. I don't know who wrote this episode, but I guess, as it was the last season, the writers just gave up on the integrity of their characters.

Spirited (2022)

It's not horrible

[5/10 · 7 December 2022]

I read a professional review that I have to agree with. It noted that at this point on there careers the 2 leads, Ryan Reynolds and Will Ferrell, don't have to take any risks and kudos to them for taking this musical on and doing the work necessary to carry of the singing and dancing that their parts require. I have never appreciated either star and really expected to drop this early on and stream something else but there were enough surprising moments that the performances kept me going to very end. That said the effort to modernize Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carole is confusing mess at times in part because Mr Reynolds does his trademark fast paced and annoying banter and in part because in an effort to extend the length of the show - perhaps to get more song and dance numbers in, perhaps to try for just one more twist on the original story, the writers backtrack on and undercut the original premise of their show and provide the viewers with a less satisfying outcome than the original story they have pearly gone to great effort to try and improve on. But that seems to be typical of modern remakes or retelling of old favourites with heartwarming characters and values that are now being replaced with modern cynicism set in a world that has to settle for grey outcomes. Anyway the singing and dancing of the non professional singing and dancing stars was good although at one point it seemed to me that first Mr Reynolds and then Mr Ferrell both sounded like Kermit the Frog and once that got into my head I just could not not hear it. The music and lyrics are inventive, however there is not one memorable song in the entire show that you will sing or hum after the screen goes dark and none that you can really say you'd really care to hear again. Octavia Spencer was a surprise and while her role was not huge she is always a pleasure to watch and like Reynolds and Ferrell she has a surprisingly good voice and had great timing and delivery with the, at times, awkward lyrics. It's not horrible but it is not great, and while Apple will certainly reissue it on Apple TV+ for the next few years at Christmas, it is not likely to become a Christmas Classic with a wide audience.

Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)

A Twilight Zone episode on steroids

[2/10 · 29 November 2022]

This film is like a twilight zone episode on steroids. If it had been a twilight zone episode, it would've been great done in less than 30 minutes given commercials in a half hour show me made back in the 60s. Unfortunately, this movie runs for two hours and 19 minutes give or take considering the end credits. There really wasn't very much original in the plot, considering the twilight zone plots. We're filmed over a half a century ago. There were some good roles for the leads, but like the plot, they lose some of their punch when stretched over such a needlessly long film. It took me four days to complete watching the film because I kept falling asleep and had to stop and watch some thing else and then come back to try and digest another chunk. By the time I watched half of it I had invested enough time in it, that I felt the need to finish it and see if the film had any redeeming qualities. In the end, it's another empty-nester film. How do parents bring up their children to be independent from them and then actually grant them that independence, complete with a heartwarming, happy ending where everyone finds true understanding of themselves and others. Grant you there is the Chinese cultural overlay, but this story plays out in every culture in millions of families every year for hundreds of years and has been made into films and TV shows many times. Again, it could've just an is as easily been made in a 30 minute episode of the twilight zone.

Death on the Nile (2022)

Better titled The Labours of Hercule

[2/10 · 23 November 2022]

An extremely laborious production. Full of needless characters and needless changes to characters from the original Christie book. First the back story on Poirot's moustachios is interesting but unnecessary especially so when the director seeks to shock us with the extent of the injuries to Poirot's right cheek which cannot be covered by any moustache no matter how ridiculously large the director wishes to make it and those large deep scars do not appear on his older cheek during the show. Wow they had some great plastic surgeons in WW1!!! The story line and characters tumble all over themselves in the ensuing 2 hours trying desperately to remain interesting because of who they are as actors playing these classic parts in a Christie Poirot mystery. None of them succeed. Cinematography blended with CGI is for the most part well done so I give the effort a 2/10, but it too tries to make far too much out if a simple who done it where the loves regrets and guilt of Poirot have no place.

The Sound of Music (1965)

Perfection

[10/10 · 20 November 2022]

I've been watching this movie for 60 years. The first time I saw it I was nine years old. It enthralled me. It has enthralled me ever since. Every time I watch this film it makes me happy. I can no longer say that. I know all the words to all the songs because watching it with subtitles I realize that I have forgotten the odd word overtime, but I still find it extremely difficult not to sing along with every single song. I personally know of no other musical, where every single song is worth trying to remember. Every song in this show is a memorable tune. From How do you solve a problem like Maria to Doe a deer, through Lonely Goatherd, I am 16, the shows signature tune and Climb every mountain, to the lovely and sentimental Edelweiss, every song evokes an emotion, that calls to the heart.

Many of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals deal with dark themes from the tragic loss of love due to war through the rape and abuse of women and the sound of music deals with the impending terror, the rise of Hitler's Nazis, but it manages to address this terror but still find room for light and love. Beautifully filmed, sensitively directed and extremely well acted by the entire cast, for me, this is simply the best musical film ever made.

Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022)

Pretty Good but Lacks Energy at times

[7/10 · 8 November 2022]

The storyline about princess Leia is interesting, and for the most part, well written, and well executed. The CGI effects, the costuming all fit well within the expected world of Star Wars. There are some instances in each episode, however, where the editing or the direction just doesn't seem to be tight enough, and the action loses some energy. Beyond that the series extras makes a lot out of the fact that they brought back Hayden Christensen to play the role of Anakin Skywalker become Darth Vader only to overlay his real body with a prosthetic, giving the effect of burned skin tissue to then overlay the prosthetic with the Darth Vader costume, to then use a guy to re-create James Earl Jones, Darth Vader voice. I suspect that anyone who could walk and was approximately the height of you were would expect Darth Vader to be could've played that role and it was nice but entirely unnecessary to have Hayden Christensen return to the role. Thinking about that and why they went to that trouble made me think that, considering there is a lot of use of clones in the Star Wars series, and that there is an entire series devoted to the clone wars, I have to ask myself why it is that Anakin went spurned didn't just clone himself a new body and carry-on rather than all of this Darth Vader costume nonsense, which has enthralled us all with how evil yet ineffective, he truly is at controlling the outcome of events in the Star Wars universe. Anyway, it's pretty good but it lacks energy at times and gives the viewer too much time to think about why things have happened in this now very extended Star Wars timeline.

Rizzoli & Isles (2010–2016)

Not Great Not Horrible - but close

[5/10 · 2 November 2022]

This show gets a 7.6 in the amalgamation of ratings. It seemed to have been very popular at the time it was running on TNT and I was very interested in watching it after having enjoyed TNT's the closer. So I have been looking for an opportunity to see this series ever since then, and recently, it has become available on prime. What a disappointment, the plots are thin often hokey the acting and sometimes it's the editing that makes the acting look amateurish. I'm watching season one episode 10 there are a number of bad guys who have overtaken the local precinct. We've got one of the bad guys standing in front, have a framed glass window pane at the front door and the senior members of the police force and on the investigative team as well as the swat team have to take several shots at this man before anyone is able to hit him and take him down. Maybe the police in Boston don't actually have to qualify to use their weapons maybe the police in Boston actually never go to the firing range and practice , I don't know but it looks like a pretty cheap way to try to create drama and tension and what is a very lacklustre series. With this as an example of the consistent level of average to below average entertainment that the first season demonstrates, I have no idea why this show gets an overall rating of 7.6 on Amazon except that if you've got absolutely nothing else to watch and you don't want to use your brain or you're more than likely on the telephone with someone else anyway you probably think it's an OK show. But it's pretty close to being horrible as TV goes.

A Private Affair (2022)

Very entertaining

[9/10 · 12 October 2022]

It plays like a live action cartoon. I felt like i was watching a cross between Where in the Eorld is Carmen Sandiego and a Tintin animation. Rich in action and interesting locations shrouded in over the top dramatics, sweeping cinematography, over acting, and an English dub, that only adds to a sense of the cartoonish nature of the project. It is, however, all very well done as a whole and extremely entertaining. I'm not sure what they will be able to do in a season two but I'm all in for taking a look at it. As bad as I thought that this would be in the opening shots. It ended up being better than anyone could've imagined, looking at any single element of the production. Bravo to the cinematographer, the Director and the editor for being able to pull all of these exaggerated elements together and give us such a great series. Thanks, Amazon.