donovandesign Reviews

A Tear in the Sky (2022)

Sincerity of Intention Alone does not make for good science- or a good film.

[8/10 · 10 September 2022]

A History Channel-type of forced documentary that had too many holes in it to be taken seriously. From the technical aspect of how they were going to collect their " data" to how poorly the sighting were being communicated from the island to the shore house- meaning after the sighting was over!

The crew simply seemed like it was all filmed after the fact. I hate to say it was bad acting, but it felt somewhat embarrassing on quite a few occasions.

As far as the technical problems with the effort, please read the other fine reviews here. Sincerity of intention alone does not make for good research or a good doc.

Touchy Feely (2013)

A useless review...

[1/10 · 13 August 2022]

...For a useless little effort of a movie.

If the writers and producers create a film with one completly strange and mysterious plot device and then proceed to offer no explanation of it whatsoever, I write them off immediately.

Such is the case with this movie. Absolutely no effort is put into explaining the dentist's strange healing powers.

This is artistically lazy and uncreative. It's supposed to render the film with a more important human element and deeper meaning. But that's an artistic ploy- like the old, cheesy sci fi films that featured an impossibly weird monster, but never explained how in the world the monster came into being. Or even why said monster is now living in the middle of NYC.

Lazy. Like my review. Ignore both.

Q: The Winged Serpent (1982)

Some people liked it. I can't imagine why.

[1/10 · 13 August 2022]

Absolutely lame and absurd dialog. Almost unwatchable for its pure, 1970's lameness. But it was filmed in 1982! Go figure.

A bad film. Not even campy. Just plain bad.

From Beyond (1986)

From the golden years of practical special effects

[4/10 · 13 August 2022]

There's is not too much screaming and hysterical crying from Barbara Crampton to make this film even remotely tolerable. Not her fault. These were the days when women in film were directed to be hysterical. Thank goodness those days are over.

The effects were excellent. NO CGI! All done with actual models, like "The Thing". As far as the plot, well, it wasn't great. Not by a long shot. But I suppose they had a strict budget and it all went to the effects. Not the writers.

Saturday Night Fever (1977)

Love it or not, SNF is a Cultural Touchstone

[10/10 · 10 July 2022]

I saw it in the movies back in the day.

Must have seen it a dozen times since ( in part, on TV).

The story is pure Brooklyn. I can vouch as I was born in raised next door in Jackson Heights. Yes. It's a bit corny, but a wonderfully engaging corny. And for what the film wants you to know about the characters, it could not have been written, presented and edited more perfectly.

The Music is undeniably sensational and it's the singular, defining aspect of the entire film. This happens sometimes in cinema- The same way the music began to drive and take over the film, "Oh, Brother" by the Coens.

This is The BeeGees at the height of their pop/music power. "Stayin' Alive" has one of those spectacular, infectious beats that, no matter what music you love, it never fails to thrill. The music defines every emotional aspect of the film, almost as if the film was simply a dramatic backdrop.

And the Ballads are pure 70's perfection, as the 70's may have been the defining decade for pop music ballads. (Think "Philadelphia Soul"- one of the greatest American musical art forms). The great ballads in SNF are the polar opposite of those god-awful "power" ballads" sung by cheesy morons wearing spandex and headbands.

All in, SNF is a pure American Classic and it defined the late 1970' global, popular culture- Art imitates Life- imitates Art.

The Expanse (2015–2022)

One of the worst dramas on TV

[1/10 · 12 June 2022]

Where do I start

Oh, yeah. Right!

It's painfully boring. The acting is stilted with confusing reactions. The main character ( who by the way, wears the worst, most inexplicably inappropriate hat ever seen) is ridiculous, as his actions are impossible to fathom. The show is dark...and stays there! Never the slightest hint at humor. Even the darkest show ever, the brilliant 'Breaking Bad', had great humorous moments. For a futuristic show set in space, The Expanse is as unforgivably pedestrian as a daytime soap opera. And last but not least...

Everyone hates it! And here's the really weird thing. Even viewers who agree that the show is bad give it a high rating. (Are children subscribing to and submitting reviews?). I don't get it. And I don't get how anyone would think this show deserves any positive reviews at all.

Brute Sanity (2017)

OMG-The Worst film ever made. EVER!

[1/10 · 22 May 2022]

A movie so bad it defies the ability to even criticize it.

A stiff cast who have never acted before- anywhere. A script written by a 5 year old.

It's so unimaginably and indescribably bad that money laundering is the only reason that a movie this stupendously bad could ever have been made.

Do Not Watch It! Not even for morbid fun.

The Dropout (2022)

How do they take a mind blowing story and make it dull?

[1/10 · 25 March 2022]

A terrible series. BORING and dull.

Stick with the original documentary. It is fantastic and REAL.

The real documentary tells the entire, horrifying story. You will be riveted to your seat!

The Haunting (1999)

One of the 90's WORST! Stick with original film at all costs.

[1/10 · 19 March 2022]

The 90's had some of the very best films in all of cinema. "The Haunting" (this remake) ain't one of them.

Sporting one of the MOST cringe-worthy endings in all of cinema, "The Haunting" never stops FRUSTRATING IT'S AUDIENCE!

That is it's hallmark.

"Why don't they EVER listen to what the star of the story, Elenor is saying?" I know it's a worn out, lazy trope meant to create tension but, Jesus! They could at least give her the benefit of the doubt- just once!

"Why doesn't Neeson use his (duh) emergency CELL PHONE to simply call the cops or just a god damn buddy with a bolt cutter to everybody out of the front gate?"

"Why don't they simply PEEK in the fireplace ash pit for PROOF of what Elenor is saying?"

"Why doesn't ANYONE in the film react to the horrifying, ghostly occurrences like a normal person?"

" Why is NO ONE totally freaked out about the gigantic, blood-dripping message scrawled across the portrait and wall--- even when someone clearly says you would need gigantic ladder to paint the gigantic letters across the gigantic wall?" Nope. No one is freaked and no one questions it nor pursues. They go eat breakfast.

" Who would sleep in a bed that had a dozen huge metal spears pointing down onto the mattress? " Doesn't anyone think it's insanely strange to begin with?

And speaking of the portrait of Hugh, whatever his name is, how come no one ever points out that he looks like a werewolf vampire devil? Did every 19th century industrialist look like a satanic werewolf?

"Why did the caretakers need to lock them in every night?" Why didn't they give Neeson a key to get out?

And what's with the weak and confusing backstory about the wives? Who really cared, as it had no bearing on an already lame plot.

Ultimately, what was all the shtick about the children to begin with? Too confusing. Keeping them prisoner? What?

It's all too terrible a movie to waste anymore of my valuable Saturday morning writing about it. I already wasted an hour and a half of my life watching it.

The Illusionist (2006)

Full of Exotic, Victorian Age Mystery.

[9/10 · 24 February 2022]

Dark. Eerie. Wonderfully Colorful! Glass's music track lends such drama, magic and urgency to the romantic and political plot. And the film's denouement, as seen in mind's eye of The Chief Inspector (Giamatti) is the perfect explanation and summation of the events. VERY satisfying to view! The Cast was WONDERFUL. Each and every actor was perfect in their role.

The cinema photography was Top Notch. The overall tint of the film was made to look historic and old timey, but it was still very fresh and crisp looking. That is no small achievement.

This film opened the same time as, " The Prestige" and it was unfortunate that both films had basically the same subject matter during the same historic period- This confused many theater goers at the time.

But See Both Films! They are in my Top 10.

Succession (2018–2023)

Latest Season: The Lion in Winter- without the brilliant dialog

[4/10 · 23 February 2022]

The first seasons were fantastic television- gripping, entertaining, edge of your seat corporate, family intrigue. The best TV in years!

But this last season's dialog was so unforgivable LAZY and poorly written that if I hear that poor cast stumble and stutter with just one more, "yeah...uh...yeah...sure...f----...yeah....uh...", I think I'll, uh, scream. Yeah...I...uh...will definitely...uh...scream.

Yeah...

Watch "The Lion in Winter" to see how this should REALLY be done. The writers certainly attempted to hijack that entire storyline. And even with using that CLASSIC as a template, the writers STILL dropped the ball! They had us in the palm of their hands and they let us down. They also let that sensational cast down! Top Shelf Actors- with no dialog!!!

"Done", I am. With this series.

Jurassic Park (1993)

Nobody but NOBODY compares to Spielberg and Kennedy.

[10/10 · 21 February 2022]

Steven Spielberg and Kathleen Kennedy have produced films that will be remembered for centuries to come.

The same way we revere Masters such as DaVinci and Michaelangelo, future viewers will be in awe of the artistry and artistic vision of this "once in a century" collaboration.

"Jurassic Park" set yet another standard, as so many of this team's films have and at almost 30 years old, it's as fresh, gripping, thrilling and entertaining as the day it first opened.

What a Hell of a great film!

Antlers (2021)

Great actors. Inadequate to poor cinematic story telling

[3/10 · 15 February 2022]

I expected more. Did not receive it.

Opaque imagery and confusing story progression with weak character motivation disguised as "mystery" .

Where is Spielberg when you need him?

Waste of time and gravely disappointed.

Hook (1991)

Believe... This movie IS an absolute mess!

[1/10 · 13 January 2021]

I have a general rule of thumb about movie reviews. When they start out with the words, "Don't Believe the Haters", you can be sure the "haters" are 100% correct in their critical judgement.

It still amazes me though, even 30 years later, just how many confused, soppy messeges they managed to stuff into this overly produced, ham handed, musical, fantasy, comedy, adventure, fairytale, family/divorce-traumatized, after-school, "the more you know", grammar school morality play.

Spielberg rarely, if ever bombs. But just this one film almost wiped out the blindingly artistic and humane brilliance of his other masterpieces. It's almost as if he produced it to show off to his kids just how wonderfully "child-like" he can still be as an adult, parent and artist.

Moonbase 8 (2020)

A genteel and quietly slapstick "NASA" comedy.

[9/10 · 12 January 2021]

Any time there's a comedy series about NASA, the space program or science, I'm in like "Flynn." Add to this John C. Reilly and Fred Armisen and you can guarantee that the production will be world-class.

Sincerely looking forward to Season 2, as Season 1 was unique and delightful.

I'm Your Woman (2020)

Like a bad college film course project!

[2/10 · 6 January 2021]

Terrible, terrible direction. Far too many 70's Period mistakes. Her character' s slow, dumb personality had me yelling at the T.V. every 5 minutes. And the constant baby crying had me on edge throughout. The music track was insipid and completly out of sync with both the jumpy mood changes and action ( and LACK of plot progression.) Also, the dialog was as horrible as the direction.

All in all- a bad movie in just about every respect. But I have to admit, the director has to take most of the blame here. They had no handle on the cohesiveness of the story or characters whatsoever.

1917 (2019)

A Remarkable War Film

[10/10 · 5 January 2021]

Poignant. Harrowing. A film that describes what true horror WW1 was.

The Midnight Sky (2020)

a waste of my valuable movie -watching time

[2/10 · 25 December 2020]

I won't pick it apart. It's not worth it. Derivative. Souless. Uninteresting. DEPRESSING!

It's not as if our collective year was brimming with such joy that we needed a downer of a movie to bring us back to reality. The timing alone of this film makes it trash-worthy.

George has lost his muse, I fear.

The Ghoul (1933)

1933! This is groundbreaking cinema.

[10/10 · 20 December 2020]

You need to view this film knowing that there was no cinematic predecessor- neither aesthetically nor technically. In 1933, there were NO templates for creating a cinema thriller of this nature. The actors, writer and director had to invent it! ( "Phantom" was silent and entirely different).

An additional "shout out" for sheer creative inventiveness should also go to the LIGHTING and MUSIC DIRECTORS and the CINEMATOGRAPHER. Without the film's brilliant, moody atmosphere, it would it not have the same impact- nor would it have created the cinematic standards for "creepy" feature films as it did. (View it on it's own terms and I believe you'll agree.)

A Rainy Day in New York (2019)

Pure NYC!

[10/10 · 18 December 2020]

Any film that features the music of jazz legend, ERROL GARNER, gets a "10" from me- with no questions asked.

The is a classic, romantic and delightful Woody Allen romp, so there's no need to delve into cinematic details.

And like the Coen's "Llewyn Davis" and, "Oh, Brother", Garner's incomparable piano is the defining characterist here- Jazzy, Smart, Poignant and very New York City.

Dracula (2020)

Terrific Twist in the classic legend

[10/10 · 18 December 2020]

Wonderfully odd and horrifying, contemporary in it's dialog and approach and satisfying!

A top notch job in all respects. And in some parts...just, "WOW! If your a fan of the literary and cinematic legend of the evil Count, I believe this is a Must See.

The Thing (I) (2011)

Simply makes you pine for Carpenter's version

[7/10 · 14 December 2020]

Now that it's easily available on streaming, it's easy to see why everyone dismissed this remake.

Virtually no plot, no memorable acting parts (the actors did the best they could with a weak story) and ot simply displays just how great Carpenter's version was.

It did indeed have ambitious monster/ gore/ CGI effects, but they played off the obvious scenes in Carpenter's film and all they were ALL done with no originality.

Ultimately, quite forgettable.

The Twilight Zone (1959–1964)

The Platinum Standard of television drama

[10/10 · 26 November 2020]

I've watched "The Twilight Zone" since it's very first airings on CBS. Every season. Every episode. Brilliant! Frightening! And every episode a profoundly humane and honest look at the human condition.

It's almost impossible to select just one episode as the high water mark for the 5-Season series. But if there was one, dingle show whose poingent messege rang out above all others, it would be, "The Changing of the Guard" (Season 3, Episode #37).

This is an episode whose messege will stay with you forever- just like the classroom lessons had stayed with the Professor's students.

The moral of this story is this: You can never truly know the full impression you make upon those around you. So make it a good one!

Tamo i ovde (2009)

Delightful. Poignant. Mature...everything we love on Indy Cinema!

[10/10 · 25 November 2020]

An Absolute Gem of a Film. Lighthearted and genuinely humane.

It looks like I'm late to the party here but the film just popped up tonight on my Amazon Prime feed.

It's films like "Here and There" that restore my faith in cinema. Highest marks to the actors, writer and director.

And that acting was indeed wonderful! And the storyline- a complete and thoroughly engaging delight!

The lead actor, David Thornton, had all of the brooding and quiet power of the late and beloved, Robert Forster. Thornton is a MOST watchable actor that I would certainly like to see a lot more of in films.

The Twilight Zone: Little Girl Lost (1962) Season 3, Episode 26

Easily one of T.Z.'s finest episodes

[10/10 · 23 October 2020]

Also one of the most intrigueing, spooky and science fiction-ish of all TZ episodes. Terrific acting all around. Though one small flaw was the overdub of the child's voice. Surprisingly cheesy for such a mature and well done concept. But all-in, it doesn't get any better than this great and memorable episode.