jhburke-16606 Reviews

World War II: From the Frontlines (2023)

Like a Pizza without cheese

[5/10 · 8 December 2023]

Just about describes this hot mess of a documentary but hey it's not ALL bad. Some of the colouring work was pretty decent and there were a couple of clips this buff hadn't seen before so all's not lost. I did like the touching scene with the Polish couple (sry). Just wished it could have been a more debonair voice steering the wheel. The music was on par and at times I almost felt I was watching my World at War DVD. I honestly have nothing else left to say about this & am surprised I still have a hundred characters to go before my birthday cake self explodes thanks for watching you've been great.

I Care a Lot (2020)

Quite Entertaining

[7/10 · 2 June 2023]

Yes I did enjoy this movie because I watched it with low expectations with a few friends, some red wine & pizza. Marla is a total bitch who exploits the elderly and Rosamund Pike plays her beautifully reminiscent of her evil character in Gone Girl. If you can adjust to the fact that this is just a movie and its a bit of fantasy, you'll be able to ignore the silly plot holes & go for the ride. If not, sigh, you'll be one of those terribly frustrated people who takes life way too seriously. Honestly, did anyone watch Game of Thrones and say OMG lolz dragonz don't exist in this world and blah blah...

Outlast (2023– )

Not quite as bad as I expected...

[8/10 · 10 April 2023]

Given the reviews here I expected a lot worse but actually this was quite an entertaining show with a bit of a twist. Yes, the Alpha team consisting of 3 borderline sociopathic contestants who sabotage other teams, might be shocking to some, but it kind of makes for interesting viewing. What it does is sets up a good versus evil dynamic that may or may not have been faked by the producers. You can make your own mind up about that. Don't expect much in terms of survivalist skills like in Alone but at least you get to see the Alaskan wilderness. Without giving away too much, the finale for the prize at the end was well worth watching all 8 episodes.

Sardar Udham (2021)

Worthy of an Oscar

[10/10 · 15 December 2021]

Well it's been a month since I've seen this film and something triggered me today that reminded me of it. To be honest, it's a movie that takes a while to leave the system. That's a mark of a good film & this is a very good one. Best (& saddest) revenge flick of all time.

The Dry (2020)

The Beauty of the Outback

[8/10 · 8 October 2021]

I can see while many reviewers would dislike this film on certain levels. I really enjoyed it because it gave us time to deep down into the characters & thats what I like about a movie. I thought the music score was superb, and at times I felt swept away a la Picnic at Hanging Rock. The cinematography was also quite brilliant with lots of good long shots & panomatic sequences I found breathtaking. In all honesty, the early parts of the story I was kind of wondering where this might go. Stick with it because the finale is fantastic!

The Chestnut Man (2021– )

If you enjoyed The Killing

[9/10 · 1 October 2021]

Then you wont be disappointed here and I love Soren Sveistrup. There is a slow build for the first 2 episodes but it really ramps up after that & you won't be disappointed. There are some twists but you'll have to wait for it.

Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets (2017)

Just aweful

[1/10 · 22 September 2021]

The acting, the scripting and dialogue is so weak I could barely sit through an hour of this rubbish. The visuals are Ok & this might appeal to pre-teens but to anyone of intelligence this is a joke. The casting seems ridiculous too. I mean the lead guy is a Major & he looks all of 17 years old! Are we supposed to believe this & his tough guy persona? I don't think so. Meh...I'm gonna rearrange my sock drawer.

Salvation (2017–2018)

A good TV show with promise but...

[7/10 · 13 August 2021]

OK this will definitely entertain you if you are willing to just let go & overlook some obvious plot gaps. If you are prepared to get taken for a ride into some pretty decent twists & turns of government coverups/ spy thriller stuff then this is for you. Some of the acting initially I found a little on the cheesy side but after a couple of episodes I warmed to it & there were even some characters I liked (Darius is very cool). So I recommend this for some lazy Saturday night pizza action.

The Pacific (2010)

Brilliant.

[10/10 · 20 May 2020]

It's taken me some time to write this. I really don't understand how people want to compare this to Band of Brothers.

For me it was one of the most visceral depictions of war in the Pacific. Beautifully shot, incredibly well acted, and painful at times. There are times when I thought I was I was there amongst all the mud, rain and blood. The battle at Peleliu was something i'll never forget.

This series is unforgettable.