Change Your Image
vadar76
Reviews
Homeland (2011)
Should have ended after season 5
After five absolutely brilliant seasons, season 6 is mediocre but still watchable because of fan favourite character, Quinn. Seasons 7 and 8 are so boring they're unwatchable. If you're binge watching from the start, do yourself a favour and stop watching after season 6. And on the subject of Quinn, his death scene was a real let down. For such a pivotal character of whom most fans adored, we barely got a minute of his demise, plus no ceremony to honour his saving the president's life! Still, I give Homeland 8/10 due to the heart stopping earlier seasons with some real surprises arising in some episodes.
Jurassic World Dominion (2022)
Absolute Money Grab
I am appalled at my decision to spend my hard earned cash and see this at the cinema. I am thoroughly surprised at the legacy character actors decision to take on this movie. They would have balked at the ridiculousness and blandness of the script, yet the money clearly swayed their decision to take it on. I swear, watching Chris Pratt try to tame the dinosaurs with his repetitive'talk to the hand' motion, I felt like I was going to vomit. Please avoid this like the plague. The studios don't deserve to make money off us with this one. PS- I absolutely couldn't stand the young girl: the character and her ridiculous plot line, and the two dimensional actor.
Safe (2018)
Really bad
Just so many plot holes and a pointless premise. Not many, if any, likeable characters. The worst being the young detective. Just disappointing to say the least.
Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
Unbelievable!
Tom Cruise should be made a saint. He absolutely pulls this one off. But then, should anyone ever have been surprised. So many nods to the original. And Miles Teller and the whole cast did a fab job too. Thank you for not ruining one of my favourite ever stories.
Senior Year (2022)
Well I loved it!
Just take it for what it is people... A good, honest take on the difference between growing up in the 90s to the world of today. Loved the music, loved the cast, loved the Aussie jokes, and no 90s teen movie would be complete without Alicia Silverstone! Just have fun with it people.
Joker (2019)
Movie of the decade, in my mind!
This movie is a cinematic piece of art that must not be missed!
People complaining that it was drawn out and had no plot are completely missing the point of the movie. It was a psychological analysis of a diathesis stress illness, namely schizophrenia. A man's decent into darkness after a childhood of abuse. It wasn't meant to be a Hollywood blockbuster with fast cars and CGI fighting rubbish.
It was utterly necessary to have the elongated beginning, otherwise the brilliant cinematography and score at the conclusion would not have been so impactful.
Phoenix, as usual, gave us a masterclass in acting. He lived every tiny schizophrenic moment of Fleck's mind and played it to perfection. If he doesn't win the Oscar this time, I swear I'll never watch it again!
For me, this is the movie of the decade. I rarely see a movie twice, but I'm going back for this one a second time. 10 stars.
Glee: Britney/Brittany (2010)
Amazing dancing!
Heather Morris is an amazing dancer! She blew me away with her Britney numbers. This is one of my fav glee eps ever.
BH90210 (2019)
Clever Concept
I absolutely loved it. I got all nostalgic watching it and laughing with the in-jokes provided for us fans of of the original.
A clever concept with a witty script. We want a season 2 thanks Fox.
Aladdin (2019)
Oh Dear!
Do yourself a favour and go and see the stage show- it's brilliant! This is shockingly bad. I will never understand why actors who can't sing well keep getting cast in Hollywood musicals. Will smith can't sing! Neither can Jasmine and Aladdin. The carpet was cute - that's it's only saving grace.
Fighting with My Family (2019)
Brilliant
So unexpected! I had no idea about this girl's story. The movie tells it beautifully. Definitely worth a second watch.
Rocketman (2019)
Surreal AF
OMG Taron Edgerton! Off the scales brilliant. I knew he was talented, but he blew me away in this.
I loved the surreal fantasy element. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
Fame (2009)
Torture
The original Fame was pretty good. I wasn't expecting much with this one, but I thought I'd give it a go. Hold onto your ears when people sing is all I can say! The woman singing Karaoke is a squeaking mess! The young girl who sings instead of playing the piano like her Dad wants - atrocious! I'm glad I've got a mute button.
Here we have yet another American performing arts movie that caters to the african-American culture. Make sure you put some hip-hop, some rap, & some gospel singing in it. Make sure you make fun of timeless, classical musicians like Bach whose talent walks rings around hip-hop artists.
Even the Frasier hubby/wife reunion couldn't make this watchable!
Boring. Predictable. Talentless. Do yourself a favour and go rent the original.
Bodyguard: Episode #1.2 (2018)
Wow
That was one of the best pieces of television I've ever seen. Gripping and tense. Twisted motives. Brilliant acting. Just wow! Can't wait for the rest of the series. And please we need a season 2!
Reign (2013)
Loved it!
Season 1 wasn't great - I nearly didn't stick with it through its giddy love stories and OTT modern soundtrack. Then suddenly it becomes good fast in season 2 as it takes a political turn. Then fast-paced political storyline's all the way to the end. Not historically accurate, so if you're looking for that then look elsewhere. But it has beautiful costumes, great acting, and a decent script. My absolute guilty pleasure to watch. The only downside was the rushed finale: we didn't find out what happened to Claude & her husband; Mary's execution was rushed; the French princes just made up out of nowhere; and an unfitting end for Catherine de Medici (who I might add was played brilliantly by Anne Shirley - oops I mean Megan Follows). Thanks Reign, I shall miss you.
Dances with Wolves (1990)
Faultless
I can not fault this film. The cinematography stunning, and the score one of the best I've ever heard. A timeless classic, deserving of all its accolades. I sobbed like a baby at the death of Two Socks and again when Wind in his Hair farewelled DWW at the end. Cannot praise this film enough. 10.
Stranger Things: Chapter Eight: The Battle of Starcourt (2019)
Damn I love the Neverending Story
Loved that little abstract moment to break the tension. I had a little song along.
The 80s paraphernalia is the best part of season 3. That and all the scenes with Billy and Steve (both such great actors in their own ways)
Stranger Things: Chapter One: Suzie, Do You Copy? (2019)
Review of all of season 3
Take heed of the strobe lighting warning!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I see those warnings but it's usually only here & there so I'm okay to watch shows & just cover my eyes during strobe scenes. But this is ridiculous!
We binge watched the whole series, but I spent a good majority of the time with my eyes covered, particularly in the mid-later episodes. Flashing lights give me migraines & my niece seizures. The totally OTT strobing effect cuts out anyone who suffers migraine, photophobia, sensory processing disorder, autism, and epilepsy.
It's a shame because I was looking forward to watching the series and it should be accessible to everyone. If the Duffer Brothers are reading, please make your shows more neuroaccessible!!!
Story wise, I thought it started strong (the first few episodes were particularly great), then faded.
The characters are still brilliant, the acting is first class, and damn it's a trip to sing all the old 80s songs and look at the clothes/product placement.
X-Men: Dark Phoenix (2019)
Not as bad as the ratings lead you to believe...
PROS
* Better than the reviews
* More scenes of substance, & less fight scenes, than there was in Apocalypse
* The acting prowess of Jennifer Lawrence, Jessica Chastain, Michael Fassbender, & James McAvoy.
CONS
* OTT flashing special effects. I actually closed my eyes during the final fight scene because I thought I was going to have a seizure!
* Jen Lawrence died too early. Her superior acting ability was sorely missed after she departed
Men in Black: International (2019)
Incredibly bad
Not even Hemsworth's brilliant comedic timing can save this horrendous script. A blatant cash grab from Hollywood producers.
Five Bedrooms (2019)
I'm hooked
I wasn't prepared to like this show as much as I do. I know it's only early days, but thus far, I love it! I'm looking forward to see where they take the characters in terms of depth and development. The actors seem to bounce off each other well. And, seriously, how good is Kat Stewart? Good job guys.
The Graham Norton Show: Keanu Reeves/Kylie Minogue/Taron Egerton/Jamie Bell/Suranne Jones/Michael Rice (2019)
Not one of the better eps.
This is not a slight on The Graham Norton Show itself, as it's long been one of my very favourite shows. It's rather a reflection on the amount of time each guest had to speak. Keanu Reeves is a big international superstar and he barely even spoke. As is usual in episodes where Suranne Jones is a guest, we mainly hear from her and she dominates the show. She interrupts other guests and basically takes over with her uninteresting antics. I'm sure she's a nice person in real life, however, if you're going to feature her on the show (a little less often would be nice) then please ensure other guests have their turn. Next time Keanu is on, ask him more questions!
Game of Thrones: The Iron Throne (2019)
The pacing was way too fast, but overall I loved it!
I rate it the best episode of an absolutely dreadful season. Come on people, the finale wasn't that bad. The earlier episodes with Cersei & Jaime's boring demise, Arya killing the night king who turned out to be a pointless character, the battle where you couldn't see what was happening on the screen - these were 1/10 episode. But this one wasn't so bad.
I actually liked the ending with Jon going off with the wildlings, Tyrion doing what he does best, and Sansa getting the North.
People seem to be upset that Jon didn't win the throne. Yes, he's Aegon Targaryen & rightful king, however, he 1) wouldn't want it after needing to kill his lover to get there, & 2) there's no way the Dothraki or the Unsullied would ever permit it.
People also seem to be upset over how Drogon burned the throne instead of Jon; however, I think you guys are missing that Dany was a part of Drogon & when she died, that part of her was what killed the throne. It was as though she said enough's enough and was now at peace. It was metaphorical, not literal.
The BIG PROBLEM with this episode was the pacing. It could easily have been made into 3-5 episodes instead of rushing through scenes. The writers ruined a good series, but people need to remember that GRRM devised this ending and GOT is ultimately his baby. We should all respect his wishes. I do, and I'll always remember this as the best TV show ever. But, secretly hate D&D for eternity, of course ;-)
Grey's Anatomy: Jump Into the Fog (2019)
Lame!
Lamest Grey's season finale I've ever seen. It felt like just another filler episode. All the build up with Jo went nowhere. Hopefully, they'll resurrect that storyline next season because it was a missed opportunity. And as for the accident in the fog! I mean really! They tease us with the prospect of an interesting plot line & then there's nothing. Not to mention the agoraphobic women being too frightened the previous week to go out into normal conditions & yet this week she heads out into uncertainty and stressful conditions without a problem (not even the cloth over her head either). Attention to detail writers please! I'm guessing they don't have much of a budget for Grey's anymore given the dwindling ratings. Maybe all the funding is allocated to the main stars. Highly disappointing.
New Amsterdam (2018)
Unsophisticated script. Cliche and boring.
I must be watching a different show to everyone else. The writers have used every cliche in the book with this script!
Game of Thrones: The Bells (2019)
What happened to news of the baby?
At the conclusion of episode 4, Tyrion let's it spill that he knows about Cersei's baby which should have angered Eeuron Greyjoy no end when he realised Cersei lied to him. I thought there'd be a big confrontation between he and Cersei. But no. The character of Eeuron Greyjoy turned about to be such a nothing. They aren't tieing up loose ends. Sloppy.
Last week Dany couldn't even set fire to a few ships, but this week she can set fire to a whole city! hmmm. Jamie & Cersei's deaths felt underdone which was hugely disappointing. The battle was visually appealing, great CGI, but overall I felt bored throughout. It wasn't the usual edge of my seat stuff that Game of Thrones has delivered previously. Disappointing season.