avega73 Reviews

Fallout (2024– )

Fun show, great adaption!

[9/10 · 13 April 2024]

Great set pieces, music that calls out to the video game, great acting, humorous at times (just like the game).

I have had a blast with this show. It does a good job of using the lore and feel of the game. Only critique I can give is the pacing can be off at times- but not enough to take me out of it.

I'm not sure why people who supposedly played the game hate it so much. I think they did a great job of adapting the game to the screen. I put many hours into the game, and feel like they did a fantastic job of recreating the best parts of the game.

I think people need to realize that an adaption doesn't have to be 100% pure to the source material to still be good. As long as it's well written, I'm there either way.

Masters of the Air (2024)

This is no Band of Brothers...

[5/10 · 25 February 2024]

Well. It's not bad, but it's not all that good either. The acting is good, the air battles are well done, and it shows some interesting perspectives of things that happened in the war. And that's the end of the good.

It's badly paced, too much melodrama at times, no memorable characters at all. I can't relate to any of them and they're just flat and cliche.

The writing is so contrived and illogical at times. Most of the story is not even in the air, where you would think the focus should be.

Nothing like its predecessors Band of Brothers and The Pacific, which had you most of the time "in the trenches" of war.

To sum it up: It feels more like a story that takes place in world war 2, rather than a story ABOUT world war 2. Not sure if I can recommend.

Constellation (2024)

Melodramatic bore...

[5/10 · 25 February 2024]

Started off promising, but it's turned into a melodramatic borefest. What is it with Hollywood these days making shows/movies that are filled with melodramatic filler that adds nothing to the story?

It seems good writers are being replaced by AI written scripts. That's honestly with this feels like. Borrow everything already done to death and just rinse and repeat and hope people don't notice it's an utter cliche crapfest.

To sum it up: cliche, boring, nothing original, useless melodrama, no character development worth a damn, if there is an actual plot, I don't see it.

I'm finishing episode two and likely done with it.

The Mandalorian (2019– )

This is NOT the way anymore...

[2/10 · 2 April 2023]

What happened to this show? Seasons 1 & 2 were enjoyable, fun and mostly well made. Season 3 on the other hand.... What? Did the people that made Obiwon shift to this show or something?

I don't know where to start on season 3. The inconsistencies, the lack of direction, the lazy writing, contrived moments, the laughable scenes with Grogu, the shift from the main character to like... everyone else. This season lacks all logic. It's just... bad.

Seriously, we are more than halfway through the season and NOTHING has happened of consequence.

It's a real disappointment because I had high hopes and I did love the first two seasons. Maybe I'm just ruined because of the amazing writing of Andor. Seriously, that show really raised the bar too high for Star Wars. And I hate to say it, The Mandalorian is a victim of that high bar.

Update: after the last episode, I'm done with this show. It's just gotten ridiculous. I'm not even going to finish it. What a shame.

Andor (2022– )

Wow... the best Star Wars since the original trilogy...

[10/10 · 17 February 2023]

Wow. I only restarted my D+ subscription after hearing positive reviews of this show. So I went in with mixed expectations. I'm about 10 episodes in and all I can say is wow!

This show has great writing, cinematography, character development and the acting- man! I was blown away by some of the performances. This is honestly too good to be Star Wars.

I'm a fan of the Mandalorian, but this show blows it away. It is intense, unforgiving, gritty, grounded and superbly written. I can't believe Disney made this given their record of crap shows and movies lately. The only minor critique is the pacing at times. It's a slow burn but sooooo worth it!

The depth that this show adds to the Star Wars mythology is better than anything put to screen in the Star Wars universe. It really is too good to be Star Wars. I can't wait for the next season!

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (2022– )

Bland and boring.

[1/10 · 3 September 2022]

Poor characters. The protagonist is not likeable at all. None of the characters are interesting.

It's slow. Like, you wouldn't be ridiculed for using this show as a screen saver. It will put you to sleep.

This is NOT the Jackson LOTR. Even though it costs more than the original movies... you wouldn't know it. Yeah, the special effects are good for a TV show... however, the special effects from the original trilogy are actually way better- and that was what? 30 years ago?

The costumes are crap. The way they portray the elves is quite underwhelming. They basically just look like normal people with pointy ears. Not the awe inspiring beauty from the original trilogy.

I'll give it another episode or two before I give up. But go into this with really really really low on expectations.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (2022– )

Why? Why can't they make good Star Trek?

[3/10 · 4 June 2022]

I was somewhat hopeful at first. I like the look of the ships and sets, it's retro and modern at same time. They did a good job there.

I also liked Pike's character and the demons he's wrestling with. I thought Spock was mostly well played.

And then the rest of the show appeared...

First, we are crowded by female characters that put down the male characters throughout the show. It honestly borders on misandry at times. I love strong female characters that show their meddle through smart writing (Sarah Connor, Ellen Ripley, Clarice Sterling, etc.). If you have to put down other male characters to make your f males look strong, you are a bad writing.

This show has Kurtzman's urine markings all over it. Looks like I'll be canceling Paramount+ ... again!

Old (2021)

Terrible acting...

[1/10 · 19 May 2022]

Wow. This is so bad. I'm speechless. The acting is so awful that I couldn't even finish it. What the hell happened to MKS? I swear the movie feels like it was written and acted by AI. It's painful to watch.

Star Trek: Picard (2020–2023)

Season 3 review

[10/10 · 18 March 2022]

I can't believe I'm writing this review after the crap they gave us for the first two seasons. But season 3 of Picard is outstanding. Whoever took over for this season is a true fan and knows what they are doing.

Why oh why could we not have had this for the first two seasons. Season 3 is everything I would want: well written, great character development, good pacing and action, adequate amounts of fan service without going overboard- it's fun and great.

The standouts to me are the interactions between Picard and Riker. It's great to see that chemistry once again. Worf is the best he's ever been. Beverly is fantastic as well- especially the scenes between her and Picard.

I have to say, so far, the performances of the TNG cast is the best I've seen from them. They really put in their all.

The only thing that saddens me is that there are no plans to keep going after Season 3. I would totally stick around for more seasons of this. I hope they change their mind.

Peacemaker (2022– )

Good fun show...

[10/10 · 10 February 2022]

I was pleasantly surprised by this show. It's fun, funny, and a great cast. It's the only snow who's intro I never skip. That dance intro is awesome.

Marvel should take note on how to make a good, fun show that appeals to a wide audience.

Reacher (2022– )

Mostly entertaining, but flawed...

[7/10 · 9 February 2022]

Pros: Good action, decent story. Entertaining.

Cons: bad acting, very cliche and unrealistic.

Turn your brain off and you'll enjoy it better. Unless it's always off, in which case, just watch and enjoy.

The Matrix Resurrections (I) (2021)

I really wanted to like this...

[4/10 · 29 December 2021]

I really wanted to like this. I loved the original. And Keanu Reeves is such a cool guy, I wanted this to be a success. And damn- the trailer looked so good it gave me goosebumps.

Well, the actual movie is so bad. It reminded me of The Force Awakens attempt to rehash the original Star Wars movies. Only worse. Much much worse.

The fight scenes were laughably bad. I mean. It was like an old kung fu movie where people don't even come close to touching each other when they strike. I half expected some dude to show up with a hand fan as a weapon and a bad English overdub where the words don't match his lips. Yeah. That bad.

The plot was..: a mess. It tries so hard to rehash elements of the original that it literally has scenes from the original movie flash in the middle of this one. No joke.

It's a real shame that what I saw in the trailer was not the movie we were presented with in the end. I really wanted to see the whole simulation reality theme explored. This was such a wasted opportunity. They killed The Matrix.

Hawkeye (2021)

What is this?

[3/10 · 2 December 2021]

A show called Hawkeye, which barely has Hawkeye in it. Really?

This is another bait & switch by Marvel. Just like they did with the Loki series. It's just a vehicle to further a political agenda where you get to watch your favorite male character emasculated and one-upped by a female lead that is somehow better at everything.

Basically, think Rey from the recent Stat Wars flops. I think I'm done with Marvel. Last good show was Wandavision. Last good movie was Endgame. Everything they've put out since is absolute trash.

The Wheel of Time (2021– )

Man bashing trash...

[2/10 · 28 November 2021]

Men are evil. Women are good. Women are better than men at everything. That pretty much sums up the reason this show came into being.

When will Hollywood learn that overly bashing people over the head with political messages will not make them more sympathetic to your cause. It will actually have the opposite effect.

Create good female characters (I.e Ellen Ripley, Clarice Starling, Sarah Conner) and good stories that don't involve bashing men... and then maybe you'll get a wider audience and sympathy for your political message.

Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021)

Funnest movie of 2021

[8/10 · 22 November 2021]

As a big fan of the original (and hater of the 2016 version), this was a breath of fresh air. It was fun, respectful of the original and had kind of a Goonies vibe to it- which I enjoyed. Not a perfect film, but if they make another in the same vein, I'd be game to see it.

Star Trek: Discovery (2017–2024)

Absolutely horrible..

[1/10 · 18 November 2021]

If you enjoy shows that are melodramatic, the main character is the only one that matters, and she cries every other scene- you'll love it.

Honestly, I feel sorry for the main actress. She must be terribly dehydrated from all that crying. Seriously, I challenge you to find a single episode where there isn't crying.

I think I lack the vocabulary to put into words how bad this show is. It's like trying to describe color to a blind person. You just have to experience it to understand.

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)

Not the worst Marvel movie... but close

[5/10 · 18 November 2021]

Started off decent, but descended quickly into an incoherent mess. Bad writing. Boring plot. CGI overload. Cliche structure. Forced unfunny comedy.

It's not the worst marvel movie, I give that honor to Captain Marvel. But it's pretty damn close to the worst. About on-par with Black Widow. Which is not a compliment.

Marvel has forgotten how to make good movies.

The Thing (1982)

Best horror movie ever made

[10/10 · 31 October 2021]

This is quite simply the best horror movie ever made. The story, the environment, the music, the special effects. It's just unbelievably chilling and awesome. This is the best movie John Carpenter had ever made, by far.

The special effects are legendary. Nobody has ever done practical effects this good. I haven't even seen CGI be able to do what this movie did 40 years ago. To this day, I can feel my heart rate go up the minute I start this movie.

The Thing (I) (2011)

Not a bad prequel..

[7/10 · 31 October 2021]

I think what some reviewers are missing is that this a prequel not a remake of John Carpenter's masterpiece.

I feel like the makers of this movie meant well with this story. What kills it for me is the CGI.

One of the things that made the 1980s The Thing such a masterpieces were the practical effects- they are just legendary. It still holds up today and I have yet to see any movie since then do what they did so masterfully with practical effects. Which is what really hurts this prequel.

If you take the bad CGI out of it, it's a pretty good movie. Good cast. It does a good job of filling in the blanks of what happened before the 1980s version.

But it's certainly nowhere near as good as John Carpenters movie, but then I don't think anything ever will be. It's an impossible act to follow.

See (2019–2022)

Wow. Surprisingly great!

[9/10 · 17 September 2021]

When I first saw the premise of this series, I did not think it could keep my attention. I mean how can you make a show work where most of the characters are blind. Boy was I wrong. They really made this work and the fact that they could do that is just amazing to me.

I didn't like Jason Mamoa that much before this show. I mean he seems like a cool dude but I never saw him in a role that blew me away. But he is absolutely fantastic in this show. This is the defining role of his career. Forget GoT. This is his finest work.

The rest of the cast is also good. Especially the queen. I think it's more than the acting though- it's just plain well written. It reminds me a lot of the early, better days of Game of Thrones. Equally as compelling even.

I just started Season 2, and so far it's at least as good as the first. This show is a breath of fresh air. I hope it keeps going.

The Tomorrow War (2021)

Entertaining as long as you turn off your brain

[7/10 · 3 July 2021]

Entertaining. So long as you ignore the ridiculous plot holes, unrealism, attempts at humor, predictability...: but yeah. Entertaining.

Wonder Woman 1984 (2020)

DC strikes again!

[2/10 · 26 December 2020]

DC just can't help themselves. The one decent movie they have had in recent memory was WW1 and they couldn't help themselves but to screw up its sequel.

WW2 = boring, misandristic, poor plot, boring and cliche characters, cheesy, even the acting was uneven.

This is basically the Batman & Robin of the WW franchise.

Star Trek: Discovery (2017–2024)

Cry cry cry cry...

[1/10 · 7 May 2019]

That's all the main character seems to do. Seriously. You'd hope this amount of melodrama would be against starfleet regulations.

It's a bit conflicting because there are some really good Star Trek elements. The storyline wasn't bad, and most of the acting is good (when they're not busy crying all the time).

I mean, they should design the uniforms to have a built-in tissue paper dispensers. You'd think they would have factored in the inefficiency (and unsightliness) of having tears and mucus running down your face.

So anyway. The production value is good. It's probably the best looking Trek we've had- If that matters. It won't save us from the generally weak characters though... and all the crying.

All that said. I find myself watching it anyway and just fast forwarding all the crying. Which cuts viewing time to a more manageable five minutes. That's a positive I think.

Oh. My favorite cameo from the last JJ Trek movies did make it into this. Lens flair! I missed you Lens Flair. Wondered when you'd come back.

Okay. I guess this show isn't that bad. I gave it five stars. Mainly cause I love Star Trek and it reminds me at times of ST:TNG. So I guess I'll keep watching... and fast forwarding.

Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi (2017)

The Star Trek V of the Star Wars saga...

[1/10 · 30 June 2018]

I decided to watch it a second time with fresh eyes since it's on Netflix right now. I wanted to see if maybe I'd like it better. I didn't. In fact, it brought me face to face with all the reasons I hated it that I had forgotten about it.

So essentially, this movie is actually WORSE on a second viewing. That says a lot.