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mariopilloni
Reviews
The Tourist (2022)
Good but flawed
Season 1 was good. Season 2 is stupid. Show's good, entertaining but flawed. I think the character of Helen was hugely miscast. Danielle Macdonald was tolerable in season 1 but she spoiled season 2. She's just not that strong of an actress. She's irritating and she can't deliver the dialogue effectively given to her. She can't show any expression beyond an "I'm constipated" look. I know it's meant to have a comedic tone but there are too many unlikely scenarios which occur. Season 2 is hugely muddled and confused. It's a shame because it's a good premise and Season 1 was flawed but enjoyable. Season 2 spoiled it.
Your Honor (2020)
Could have been so much better
The premise of this show has great potential but unfortunately falls incredibly short of the mark for several reasons. The casting is lacklustre. Hope Davis as Gina Baxter is weak acting. Jimmy Baxter is one of the worst antagonists I've encountered in a TV show. He's meant to be a self-made successful businessman, a rags to riches type arc, which requires a lot of discipline and control yet he seems unhinged and uncontrolled. Michael Stuhlbarg is not well cast. His mannerisms, facial expressions and gestures are just bizarre at times. I'm unsure if this is poor writing or miscasting, maybe both but either way it just doesn't work. The fact that who Jimmy Baxter is is summed up by poor writing as being "the head of the most vicious crime family in the history of this city" was an indication of the mediocre writing which I think fundamentally flawed the quality of the show. Adam Desiato is a confusing and unlikeable character. He's so messed up from the inciting incident one minute, then perfectly fine the next. He acts erratically and incoherently then seems to have the poise to question the questionable treats of the dog in S1. The dancing scene made me question if I'd been spiked with a hallucinogen because it was the most random, useless scene out of the whole show. Some of the main characters act erratically and dysfunctionally. I understand it's meant to be an extreme situation, but unfortunately the writing doesn't deliver. The writing, direction and even some of the acting is mediocre at best. The scene where Adam uses his inhaler at the courthouse by the window for Jimmy Baxter to realise who was the driver that killed his son was overly dramatic. There are so many scenes and so much of the behaviour of the characters that are just not believable at all. A shame really! Lack of development, overly dramatic at times and just not believable. Certain arcs just dissipate without explanation and other things are over dramatised. The last scene where Adam dies in the final episode in Season 1 was one of the worst constructed scenes I've seen. The Prison Rodeo in Season 2 is the most ridiculous thing I've ever seen.
Pieces of Her (2022)
Had potential, didn't deliver.
Showed so much potential but just didn't deliver. Great cast though the characters they've been given are not entirely likeable. Nonsensical at times, especially surrounding the daughter's character. Anti climatic. A waste. Intriguing at times but the pay off doesn't quite live up to expectations.
Wrong Turn (2021)
Anulls the point of a reboot.
If you're going to do a reboot, you want to ensure it's better than the source material. Utterly abysmal direction, baffling behaviours. A good filmmaker makes you believe the world they've wanted to create. It is completely unbelievable. A proportion of my life I'll never get back.
Red Notice (2021)
Mediocre at best.
Poorly produced, poorly directed, poor editing, action sequences are well below par, CGI is abysmal, poor plot, no depth or substance. It attempts to be exciting, suspenseful, have plot twists, and they do not deliver to any degree. All of the hallmarks of poorly executed film riding on the profile of its cast. The only saving graces are Ryan Reynolds and Gal Gadot. You can tell it's a 7 Bucks Production.
Unhinged (2020)
Utterly abysmal!
If Derrick Borte insists on being a director he should be on trial for crimes against film making! I've seen some bad thrillers but there has not been one that has caused more distress to how bad it was than this one. Just don't waste 90 minutes of your life.
Cobra Kai (2018)
Overkill
First two seasons were good but I am only 6 episodes in on the 3rd season and they've overstretched these ridiculous rivalries of a group of high school good kids who are acting like violent gangs. No police or authority anywhere to be seen. It's a shame. Great stories and character development but overkill on the rival dojos. Totally saturated what was a successful formula. They have a sociopath running a dojo with zero intervention from any of the parents. You have adults that appear to have the maturity of people younger than their kids on the show. It's bizarre. Karate, which ties everyone together, is meant to be about self control yet nobody seems to have any. Characters seem to easily be unravelled and turn into completely different personalities. It's all in the details or lack of attention to them!
Beverly Hills Cop III (1994)
Nothing compared to the first 2!
I don't know what John Landis was thinking. Spoiled the franchise with this weak entry. Can't take it seriously. Total lack of attention to the details: for example, it seems very easy to set up Axel on more than one occasion despite other witnesses being present, the bad guys being part of a private security firm just wasn't capitalised enough, they looked like a bunch of theme park security guards going around in their theme park suits committing crimes. The spider ride scene one 9f the guards grabs the control panel, then everything malfunctions; a guard wouldn't grab the panel as he did, nor would things malfunction to that extent. Axle brings Uncle Dave to the hospital but is framed as his assassin; why would an assassin bring their victim to the hospital and Uncle Dave didn't die so he's not an assassin. The bad guys just looked like the security at Butlins had went rogue in a weak way. Just a terrible entry to a great franchise
The Drowning (2016)
Abysmal!
All the cliches of a weak thriller, the direction is utter garbage, lacking any development, terrible writing. A bunch potentially good characters in a labyrinth of attempts to be intriguing. A psychologist and parole officer who seem to do anything but their jobs to any degree of professionalism, drawn to the sinister Danny, but without any kind of psychological or obligatory justification or reasoning. A shame and a waste for the decent cast.
The Third Day (2020)
Style over substance!
Some people seem to appreciate style over substance according to a lot of reviews. Only second episode in, I've never seen such abnormal, unnatural behaviour in a main character. It doesn't make sense how Jude Law's character reacts to his situation. There is a stellar cast, Jude Law is great, there is oodles of intrigue to keep you hooked. The cinematography is amazing but hopefully it will improve in the story. 4th episode in and Naomie Harris (who I'm not a fan of) is another character introduced whose character reaches higher levels of abnormal behaviour than what Jude Law did. This episode is home literally the most nonsensical, mystifying, stupid writing I have ever seen in what should be a well produced show.
Kidnap (2017)
Terribly directed!
Mediocre acting, terribly directed, but does give a bit of a thrill
Prodigal Son (2019)
Could be great!
Great premise, Michael Sheen is amazing as the doting father/jailed serial killer. The writing misses the mark with trying to lighten the quite dark source material with this casual, humorous approach, especially from the Whitly's, which I find ridiculous at times. The Direction leaves something to be desired. Malcolm, the main character, restrains himself each night due to violent night terrors, and in one episode it's so violent he somehow flings himself smashing through his metal framed, loft panel window, saved only by one of his restraints. His mother is nonchalant to it. Their attempts to question people are terrible, they approach with things like "Hey you!" and the suspects are incarnations of The Flash because they end up 100 metres behind them in 2 seconds. One episode, the suspect falls into some trash that he clearly sees and that is how the cops catch him. Absolutely stupid, totally spoils the show. None of the actors have any chemistry though the show tries its best to create it. Tom Payne is miscast and unfortunately doesn't have the acting capability to play this intriguing, troubled character. He's not believable, lacks any charisma and is at times, cheesy. It misses the journey of the case, finding the pieces of the mystery and doesn't give the main character the opportunity to demonstrate putting them together, he solves them on the spot far too easily. So you're left to wonder if it is meant to be a detective style drama or not. It just hasn't established what it wants to be, police drama/thriller, family drama, comedy. It messes too much with different genres and hasn't successfully executed any of them. The premise, the characters, the main plot are great but some of the writing, humour, directing and Tom Payne just do not synchronise effectively with these factors.
The Fall (2013)
Keeps you gripped throughout.
Excellent writing, Gillian Anderson's best role, Jamie Dornan a bit wooden at first but really displays great acting after mid second season, great thrilling series which maintains amazing suspense throughout. Direction is a bit questionable, the killer seems to have luck on his side a few too many times, breaking that realism it is so good with most of the time which is a shame. It teases you thinking he's on the brink of getting caught through his nonchalant attitude. You do question the purpose behind certain things. The greatest mystery is the rapid aging of the killer's daughter at the start of Season 2 but overall, a great show! First 2 seasons were fantastic, 3rd season makes the show more into a medical drama, loses its momentum and the appealing suspense. Such a shame, writers appeared to have ran out of steam. A waste of what they'd achieved the first 2 seasons!
Safe (2018)
Ridiculous!
Potential in the premise but terrible directing. Some things become nonsensical and ridiculous, yet you still want to see what happens. The whole scene where Pete gets stabbed for example is stupid and baffling! He's tracking someone who's potentially dangerous, hanging about on a street corner with a small gang, they miraculously see him peeping around a corner, he chooses to stay for reasons unknown when he had the chance to run or hide, then he's chased around a built up area yet not one person on the street other than his pursuers. He's running a good distance without getting anywhere, going back to his car was too logical! Shame the director(s) weren't better. The Marshall family's actions are the most stupid and unrealistic I have ever seen, I think the writers had taken the same drugs Sia was selling here! Though not great, not the worst thing I've seen. They live in a gated community, an affluent area yet nobody seems to work. Incredible! Michael C Hall is a good actor, he brings intensity, but after being in a show like Dexter this is a step down. His character goes into a burning house and a burgled house yet his last response is calling the emergency services, not exactly accurate natural behaviour for what is meant to be a normal man. House party going on at a house with a pool with a bunch teenagers under the influence of drink and drugs yet nobody happened to be outside except lo and behold, a character who just so happens ending up being found dead in the pool beginning the chain of events which map the main plot of the show. There are some redeemable qualities but not many. I don't understand how it has received as many high reviews.
The Sinner (2017)
First 2 seasons were great, the third, not so much!
First two seasons were fantastic. Masterful build up of suspense during the first two seasons, great plot, not your usual run of the mill type stuff. Very unique but great storytelling. Intelligent writing, interesting characters, dark tone. I love the moral themes and the philosophical undertones. They seemed to lose focus and inspiration with the third season. Still interesting characters and content but unfortunately just wasn't executed as well as the first two. They stretched it out for 8 episodes when they could have ended it at 6. Bill Pullman playing the troubled good guy is also a bonus but he nails this part.
Dracula (2020)
Stylish, seductive and elegant
I loved this. Amazing cast. Claes Bang is everything you expect Dracula to be. Charming, charismatic, dangerous, rebellious, seductive. Dolly Wells is the perfect Van Helsing. Intelligent, courageous yet unheroic, a complete match against Dracula. It is quite a similar dynamic to Hannibal Lecter and Clarice Starling. She's intrigued by him, attracted to the potential discoveries or confirmations of her theories she will get interacting with him. I love the satirical humour. There are clear references or homages to the Hammer Horror movies which is done masterfully. It is not Stoker's novel but it retells the story beautifully. Well crafted and does not overdo what they knew was working. Wasn't fully a fan of the Lucy Westenra arc, thought this could have been constructed better. Overall, a great watch.
The Equalizer (2014)
Flawless, well-crafted, another great Fuqua and Washington collaboration.
This movie is the perfect combination between action and drama. The action supplements the plot rather than compensating the lack of it which is the case for a lot of action movies. Washington is intimidatingly believable as the nice guy/trained killer, another outstanding performance. The cat and mouse game between him and Marton Csokas maintains a relentless suspense. The scene in the restaurant is an absolute masterclass of acting. The rest of the cast are amazing also. Elegant direction by Fuqua, same level as the John Wick movies. Fantastic movie.
Reckoning (2019)
Intriguing plot, terribly written!
Good acting, terrible writing. No likeable characters at all, not enough development for that to happen. Certain aspects are not realistic, even though it is trying to be in the real world. Constantly dark and heavy, no comic relief. You have a teacher in a high school doing too many bad things in front of too many people to get away with. There are too many moments trying to convey something but it is not effectively conveyed. Tries to delve deep with the characters but doesn't know how to dig. Shame. Only saving grace are the cast.
Gangs of London (2020)
Not what I expected!
Amazing cast, a great production but doesn't quite meet its potential. It is too stylised and polished yet is missing that balance between reality and entertainment. If you put London in the title, it is immediately part of the story but it is not a London that is familiar. Too much entertainment without the suspense. Not gritty or shocking enough. Character development is lacking. It is a shame because I am a big fan of Gareth Evans.
Miracle Workers (2019)
Easy to watch, light -hearted satire with some deep undertones.
Great cast, the underlying theme of cause and effect adds an extra element to the show, a satire fest on religion, heaven and the concept of God. Light-hearted comedy but I must say, production is not the best I have seen. It looks cheap and amateurish.
Look Away (2018)
Had a lot of potential, just didn't deliver!
Great cast, great premise but the director needs to reestablish the value of details. The atmosphere was effectively set, the cast did a fantastic job (especially India Eisley) but the director just seemed to neglect the details which impact the overall story. I understand that the beauty of films is it is not restricted to reality but effectively creating a reality you want your audience to be drawn into, is all in the details. Such a wasted project. I saw another review entitled All atmosphere, no substance, perfectly sums it up.
The Stranger (2020)
Relentless and intriguing
Started great, from the first episode, you get introduced to the main characters and things get started quite quickly. The mystery of the titular character sets immediate intrigue then the entire thing starts to snowball quite quickly and doesn't lose momentum throughout. There are some holes here and there, and some frustrating moments where things become a little nonsensical but the pace never lets up. It is well written in the sense of each character's story has a significance to the overall plot but certain moments, especially the story of the teenagers could have been dòne better. Richard Armitage has the acting chops and intensity to lead this cracking cast. Wasn't a fan of Wes as a character who I think was meant to be part of the comic relief but just appeared stupid which is not something you get in the Police realistically but he became better with time. Overall, worth a watch!
Uncut Gems (2019)
One noisy mess!
I was intrigued to see Adam Sandler take on a serious role, what an anti-climax that was. I would say he should stick to comedies but he hasn't done a decent one in at least 10 years.
The directors relied on music to create atmosphere because they couldn't create any otherwise.
Zero character development to create any kind of tension. I couldn't figure out Sandler's character, if it was a terrible portrayal of charismatic or he was genuinely meant to be stupid. You couldn't like or dislike him. He has the intelligence to trace a priceless gem but displays zero intelligence to sorting out his problems, even how he talks with people, it's like putting Billy Maddison in the middle of Goodfellas. Just bizarre.
Though I thought the 80s esque score was actually good, it was wasted in the hands of this movie's creators. Used beyond excess to compensate for the lack of substance.
They tried to create a complex plot out of the simplest idea. It becomes this mess trying to chase the suspense it never finds.