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Ex Machina (2014)
All these high score are nuts!
So what? So it's got high production values a decent cast, some good sounds and a okay score. Seriously over rated and bumped up rating for this 'film'. It could be just an extended episode of Black Mirror!
The fantasy sci fi love here is indeed quite disturbing for sure but not for the reaso. Intended it's frightening because it's so far from AI. It's ordinary and predictable and has none of these deep intellectual comprehensions everyone rants on about here.
This story fails because of the simple misunderstanding of what it is to be human in a physical world. All Alex Garlands film create a similar mood of detachment of the human condition, spirit and perceptions of reality.
Who better to cut out the serious questions about consciousness and understanding that this is the true barrier to the AI 'Turin' Intelligent test.
Season of the Witch (2011)
The script is truly aweful
This a good example of Hollywood going hell bent into failure. Why bring all these actors together only to serve up a mixed bag of puny one liners trite exposition, mediocre sets and poor oh yea poor direction.
So frail is the delivery of this film it takes effort or even watch it. I like Cage et al and I'm sure their talents could have been out to decent use had there been any ideas here that were original or some good dialogue.
The buddy aspect is cast off after a lame montage of battles and don't even get me going about the witch bull at the start. My name is Bond witchmaster Bond! Simply put it's a bad film actors are okay and would easily have done better with a good script. Sad that the producers won't pay a qualified script writer anymore.
Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021)
Absolute tripe
Nothing here
Cannot understand the positive reviews. It's like a mobile phone out of charge.
Not worthy of a review having to put down 500 words is silly. Cash grab nonsense. The only moments are with Paul Rudd. Energy is so low direction so completely lacking I cannot believe this is even classified as a movie. It's terrible, waste the energy of your eyes on the original. Which has more life, energy and fun in one minute than this rubbish has in the whole thing.
Badly cast, and the handling of the equipment is just down right horrible. Nothing to like here avoid like the plague... yuck yuck yuck.
The Cloverfield Paradox (2018)
Yeah right let's just let all these snowflake morons run this mega ship!
Nasty little sci fi from netidiots. No redeeming features. A riot is horrible. Characters are so lame all panicky and taking over each other. Not professional in any way. Written by someone very immature. Snowflakes without a thread of guts screaming and running around the ship like a bunch of entitles losers. Don't eve. Get me started about the 'science'! There isn't any science. Not that science has to be factually acknowledged to feature in a science fiction story. But it does have to be interesting and hook the minds eye.
This is just horrible. Nasty little streamer. Go back to the source materials and real films it copies. Again I don't mind a copy a remake or better still inspiration. This has none of those things and again these wet biscuit characters make the skin crawl! Yuck!
The Consultant (2023)
Entitled
Horrible shallow dreary ness just keeps a modicum of interest because of Mr waltz. Wasted here as a low grade character.
Supporting characters are so annoying, entitled and needy brats! They may reflect the mod et n World but have no reality in life. Produced for the snowflake generation who are offended by the smallest request from your boss. Like get here now at 3 am it's important! Why that should be a problem is mind bending. Her character shows no respect for her elder more experienced colleague even if he is weird!
Yes this is weird but not in a good way. The product of disjointed no polar writer with perversion.
No go!
Der Mann aus dem Eis (2017)
Disappointment
The lowest common denominators paraded here. Uber violence for violence sake.
Shallow and leading. Weak story with stupid twists and turns. The only thing between this and the switch off are some of the acting, scenery/camerawork and a sense that something had gone into it. But the way they burst into the village etc there is no motive. Gang type Psycho violence during this period in history? Seriously? I don't think so.
Not well thought out and an immature script spoil this before it can begin. Pity because the premise was good.
Still a somewhat brave effort, less of the Hollywood none sense please and you could have had a film.
North by Northwest (1959)
Wonderful cinema from a time when men and women celebrated their differences.
Superb thriller from Hitch released in 59, elegant and sophisticated, from a time when men and women celebrated and appreciated each others differences and attractions. The world is clean and tidy, there is class, respect and passion in every scene and set. The train is gorgeous and the scene in the cabin sensuous and warm. Lovely film from a master who understood and mastered his craft. A pleasure to the eyeballs, even the good old sets are beautifully constructed. Wonderful performances and nuances wrapped up with humour and spice. The action scenes are dramatic and inspiring to this day. Love it.
Moonraker (1979)
The score is so sensual
Love this film for its home spun charm. Made in England and proud of it. Not to mention the stunning female cast, a joy to the eyes and if like me you remain unashamed of the male gaze, revel in this 70's feel good cinematic and entertaining extravaganza.
It has little pretence and to me I think that's why I still enjoy it. I remember it at the time seeing it soon after release at the Odeon Leicester Square as a teen, so much fun and good memories from a hopeful era.
Could go into a critique blah blah blah, but there is no point. Comparing this to other Bonds is pointless it is a unique entry.
Rodger remains a solid and a great Bond.
It Happened One Night (1934)
Dates but ever divine
Have to write in this box to post my opinion. My opinion is just watch this divine picture and enjoy it for its heart and warmth. Simply a Gorgeous film.
La migliore offerta (2013)
No surprises
Others have compared this to Vertigo and I see the connection and to a degree their frustration about it lacking a satisfying conclusion. I myself don't mind open endings in Cinema and Geoffrey Rush is great at delivering them and is no exception here and he delivers a convincing performance.
My issues with this sensitive film is the heavy handed dialogue from the younger cast that at times borders on wooden. It could simply be poorly translated from Italian, which is a possibility, but somehow the dialogue seems really stiff as does some of the acting, editing and general story arcs.
Morricone's musical score takes awhile to get under the skin, but is an asset in the end.
Worth seeing.
The Night Manager (2016)
Lacks punch
Lacks everything that should make it worth staying the course. Drags on with banal ineffective direction and emotionless plot twists. Lacks panache, style and excitement.
Spies and glamour, this is the tried and trusted recipe, why try to make it real, indeed there are some of those qualities here, but the story and locations lack conviction and simply do not generate enough visual energy to make it either a snappy and cool watch nor a bleak real life spy yarn.
Still, saying all these negatives things I must say I have seen much worse films and quite recently. Much worse infact and most of that tripe comes streaming from the USA, who I noticed seem to enjoy bashing our Uk productions here on IMDB.
Just wish this had more guts and something more to shout about!
Archive 81 (2022)
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Why would anyone bother to give a serious opinion. This is a blank the actors are blanks. Writers just rip off the greats, Kubrick for a start off and many others. That in itself isn't the problem is just this is a load of old gobbledegook without charm or entertainment value. Low budget crud. Don't bother with this sad tale of confusion. Simply put, this ain't fun and the lead actor is about as interesting as an old bank statement.
Bone Tomahawk (2015)
Not very good
Words are valuable, actors add value to this piece of total crap. Low brow amateur in every respect except the actors and camera crew... they tried. Respect for low budget attempt is all that can be said. Pathetic.
Captain Phillips (2013)
Should have stuck to Doco's
There is no Cinema in this film. Handheld is just annoying and an excuse to cut every rule in the cinematic book. Green grass is not very good, let alone the political stuff under the skin. Get lost, there are filmmakers out here who think you are a fake. Sure it ain't gonna make no difference but your no filmmaker and this film is seriously lacking. Actors and crew aside who have no chance. Go out and buy another PD150 and go back to basics. Leave Cinema to people who understand artistry pacing and just about everything else you will never know.
A poor show....
Le Mans (1971)
The film that dares to say cars are better than girls!
Seriously, the cars the star here. I was a mere child in 71' but I do remember the days when cars were a big deal and often women were second. This film, apart from some well shot rain driving sequences and an interesting score by Michel LeGl Grand, dares suggest that the reason men aimlessly drive at high speed for several days, risking life and limb, is, because, at the end of the day, that's as near to feeling alive as it gets and well, women are just not all that!
I'm not saying I agree with all those petrol head sentiments as we dive into the electric era, but I Love Stevie in this one. simple, gritty and dumb...love it!
Sabotage (2014)
Weak dialogue, shoddy work
Yeah I geddit the slot the audience this aimed at etc...the budget! No excuses, this is cynical and insulting to a modern audience. Even Arnie cannot save the day...but he'll be back!
The Dig (2021)
A fine show until....
I was really enjoying this in the first half. The acting was first rate, down to earth, focused and skilled, dialogue was also quite realistic. Then...here we go again... the show dissolves in the standard fashionable route preferring PC undertones and diverting the emotional eye away from what was humanly and historically fascinating in the opening act. A clumsy musical score only goes to punctuate this as the film is driven down an abandoned rabbit hole. Why won't you just stop with the emasculation, quasi historical snobbery rubbish and allow the romances to shine in what is a fair and solid drama arc. Stop scraping our bones please!
Didn't like the talking out of shot either, a cheap trick and in my opinion lazy. Directing the actors to speak in the shot and then edit the scene using the best performances is what making a film is. This director appears unsure, including in what it is to make a film, preferring to copy Fellini or the like. Its almost like two different films in one. If they merged then why not that has been achieved... sadly not here, these often, under lit sub plot, bumped clumsily into each other like two walrus's, I mean in a painful way.
I love Ralph Fiennes in this and many of his films, he seems to be one of those rare individuals working in British Film and why does even bother? I mean, he must be seriously wealthy by now...still he remains true to his craft and keeps growing as a skilled artist. The thing is If they keep slashing up his films like this over and over I wonder if he will leave us behind, I wouldn't blame him one bit.
Star Trek Beyond (2016)
Money not well spent
Pure profiteering, industrial movie for the cinema complex idea that is rapidly fading right now. Horrible to suffer this garbage as I grew up on the original. This is tripe of the highest expensive order, a machine made production with nothing to redeem it anywhere, save some pretty looking aliens. This is science fiction and definitely not art. Yuck and yuck!
Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey (2014)
A wonderful show ruined by irritating commercial break stings and fade outs
I loved the original show and was fortunate to have viewed it on the once great BBC without any adverts!
This updated version iseven though it has fabulous effects and the great Neil de Grasse Tyson, these continuous musical peaks and fade out to black destroy this narrative flow and ultimately this show. Such a shame that the sound engineer seems to love pushing up the music faders at every opportunity!
Nightflyers (2018)
Another waste of time, dreary soulless and unoriginal
It's like a bad dream watching Netflix productions. They all follow similar patterns. In the main they have unlikeable characters who's sole dramatic moments either come from crying into the lens or doing something unforgivably stupid to add conflict where there is none. These writers are amateurs, these filmmakers seem clueless. It's such a shame as this did had potential, but the final 'Solaris' ripped off in the finale was the last nail. Avoid this garbage and watch the many original sci fi films it shamelessly rips off! I wouldn't mind, but it isn't done with any joy. The music is depressing. Every scene is dark. The face close ups are just bad! Stop making this rubbish please!
Color Out of Space (2019)
Lousy
Just horrible to sit through. We've seen it all before done with passion and heart. This jump fest limps along with shoddy film making choices a weak score and unbelievable performances. There is nothing here to get into. May as well stick your head in a barrel of water as It would be more entertaining than this mean spirited travesty.
Entrapment (1999)
Good, but director missed a massive opportunity
I like this film, not for the plot, action or locations, they seem forced. What doesn't is Connery, it feels like this reflects his reality as a massive star, at this time getting older, yet still with super charisma and talent. Also no doubt in reality women still throwing themselves at his feet. A film that is maybe somehow simple Therapy for Sean and if we get it, also us, the privileged viewers. Love this film dialogue and the production values are good. These 'Hollywood' gripes in some other reviews, are in my opinion, misguided. Thank you Sean for your work....to all that watch this and read this review....Enjoy.
National Lampoon's Vacation (1983)
Human beings making comedy
Not much to add to the review title, this film is funny, it cuts no slack and by today's snowflake standards would just be banned for every cliched inappropriate hilarious line it has going, let alone the poor dog! This film is funny, stupid, dumb and very silly. It's also Hollywood making a buck, but what makes it not stick in the craw is that it remains funny. It remains funny coz it unapologetically shoves the reality of our stupid lives down our own Stupid throats and keeps us laughing at ourselves! Genius from a bygone age!
The Matrix (1999)
Move on
Alice in matrix land! 2001 is sci fi. This is rehashing old ideas just watch some outer limits or twi light Zone. Matrix has decent production design but is majorly overrated.
The Umbrella Academy (2019)
Boo
Lazy, facsimile of decent past comics, films and TV. Emotionally void, annoying with silly plot twists and general ideas. We have seen this melange many times in much more honest forms.
This is cynical and and worse a rip off of better fare... Avoid.