philfeeley Reviews

Dragnet (1987)

Bad in so many ways

[4/10 · 10 November 2021]

It's difficult to understand why people were enthusiastic about this, but I'll try. The actors were excellent, except for Plummer, who was unconvincing as a psychcopath. The car chase, ending on the beach, was spectacular. Otherwise, the film was a failure.

Why do people think that "religious" people can be targets of ridicule all the time? It's getting boring, if not sickening. Plummer is unconvincing as such a one, miscast, badly written and acted.

And the story?! Wow, were criminals AND cops ever so bungling!? I know this was a comedy, but sheesh! So horribly written. The only thing that saved it was the acting. It's hard to have sympathy for the actors performing such a mess, so I won't: they were well paid and should be ashamed.

The Blacklist: The Kazanjian Brothers (No. 156/157) (2020) Season 7, Episode 19

Incomprehensible

[1/10 · 23 October 2021]

This episode is completely incomprehensible. I don't know whether it's the plot, or the animation, or the multiplicity of characters - perhaps it's the time difference between episodes, making the plot difficult to follow. Whatever it is, the show has lost me, and I've followed it up to season 8, and enjoyed it. No longer.

The Resident (2018–2023)

Well done

[9/10 · 6 October 2021]

This show deals with medical issues that others don't, so, well done.

But why did one of the main characters decide to leave the show? Will the other also?

The Resident: No Good Deed (2021) Season 5, Episode 2

What's going on?

[6/10 · 30 September 2021]

Two episodes in and already they're suggesting the demise of Nic. Does anybody know?

The explanation of Devon's accident doesn't work very well. He collapses in the elevator, but not across the entrance to block it for later. Big miss.

Billions: Liberty (2021) Season 5, Episode 10

All over the place

[1/10 · 22 September 2021]

Despite what another writer here said about the egg cooking scene, I didn't understand it - probably because I (and most everyone else?) was unfamiliar with the reference. I kept waiting for some shocking revelation to happen - something, anything - but when it didn't the whole scene fell flat.

The entire episode was trying to handle too many plot lines. Maybe the whole series is.

Billions (2016–2023)

Spyros

[8/10 · 21 September 2021]

I have no idea why they keep Spyros. Every time he comes on he seem to spout nonsense and everything contrary to Axe Cap. Anybody?

Runaways (2017–2019)

Why canceled

[6/10 · 16 September 2021]

I thought this was actually pretty good, despite the many characters and plots lines I had to follow. Why did it last only 3 years and why is nobody commenting about that? I'm only in mid-season 3 so I don't know how it ends. Is there a resolution before it got canceled?

RFDS (2021– )

Okay

[7/10 · 19 August 2021]

Not as bad as the 1-raters put it, but I could do without the sex on first visit. Otherwise, a decent show.

Bull Durham (1988)

Boring and pointless

[5/10 · 18 August 2021]

Boring, boring, boring. Why do they even make baseball movies?

Henry's Crime (2010)

Didn't think too hard

[6/10 · 10 August 2021]

Did no one ever think that breaking down the wall in his dressing room might clue in those who would be interested in the bank robbery? And no one heard the banging on the wall?

He should have known a lot earlier when opening night was. They should have had the discussion about their future a lot sooner.

No one hears mechanical devices, or a gun shot??

Not very well thought out...

Call Me Kat (2021–2023)

Why?

[4/10 · 11 June 2021]

The plots are banal; there's not enough about the cats; just another person pining for another. Nothing new or interesting.

Why has Mayim Bialik abandoned a good scientific career for this drivel? Was she bored? Uninspired? Acting is THAT appealing??

And why - oh why! - has it been renewed for a second season while Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist has been canceled after 2? Was the choreography too expensive??

Mare of Easttown (2021)

Well done

[9/10 · 5 June 2021]

Very well done. It surprised me how many non-American actors there were in major roles. I wonder why?

Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw (2019)

No, just no

[5/10 · 27 May 2021]

Way, way too much yakking. Not nearly enough action compared to previous titles in the series.

Wrath of Man (2021)

Slightly flawed

[6/10 · 26 May 2021]

I don't get it. How did they find the ones they interrogated?

Not bad for the most part. Good action and suspense. But how does he find the last one at the end? No explanation.

I Am (III) (2010)

The only one worth a 10 so far

[10/10 · 12 May 2021]

I've reviewed several films there, and this is the only one so far to get a 10, which I philosophically refuse to give out to good films - nothing is perfect.

But this one gets it because it is such a pleasant film to watch and remember. I highly recommend it - even though there wasn't enough Chomsky (hardly any at all, sadly).

Spy (2015)

Made no sense

[5/10 · 11 May 2021]

This film made no sense. I think the makers were in an unspoken competition with other filmmakers as to who could use the "f" word the most - and most of it completely unnecessary. A lot of silly dialogue interrupting the story flow made me think all the writers, producers, actors thought this activity was bogus if it really happened. How else to explain the incompetence all around?

Then again, maybe they're right...?

A Bridge Too Far (1977)

Amazing!

[8/10 · 20 April 2021]

What a technically difficult film this must have been to make. The cast of hundreds (thousands?), the artillery, the military equipment (planes, tanks, boats, temporary bridges), the buildings destroyed - the materials alone would have cost a fortune. So well done, and a story well told. Bravo!

The Good Doctor (I) (2011)

OK film, except for the ending

[6/10 · 29 March 2021]

How anyone that intelligent could think they could flush that many pages down a toilet is beyond me. Failure in the writing I guess. He wasn't that panicked that it would have been the only solution he could think of.

13th (2016)

Missing

[8/10 · 27 March 2021]

??! Gingrouch but no Ward Churchill?! Who's idiotic decision was that?

A major fail in an otherwise excellent film.

Big Little Lies (2017–2019)

What happened?

[8/10 · 24 March 2021]

In the previews for the second season, there were clips of things I definitely don't remember happening in the first season. What did I miss??

Unforgotten: Episode #4.5 (2021) Season 4, Episode 5

Still a great show

[8/10 · 23 March 2021]

Two things a bit wrong about this year's story, and this episode in particular:

1. We never see either of the suspect police officers doing any work. One just seems to hang out in his office (when he's there), and the other just seems to be applying for a promotion. Do they ever function as police officers?

One reason why this show is so good is the development of the characters. I'm afraid, in this year's episodes, it's not as well thought out as in the previous years. I realize this is difficult to do given their restraints of 6 episodes, but still, I think it's a serious flaw.

2. By the time of the 5th episode, the investigating officers should have been more aware for the potential of retaliation against them, and taken precautions. Another serious writing flaw. By the time they knew who they were dealing with, they should have been more careful.

All in all, not serious enough to make me rate the series down, but serious enough to make me think the writer should have taken another look at it. Overall, they've done an excellent job with the story, especially with the minor characters filling in details. Still, the above two flaws could have been fixed easily.

Unforgotten (2015– )

Season 2

[8/10 · 21 March 2021]

Such a well written series! And the actors are all superb.

I just wonder how many cases in real life are concluded this way?

Alex Rider (2020–2024)

Sloooooww

[7/10 · 9 March 2021]

If you're looking for lots of exciting action, look elsewhere. This series is very slow to build up its plot, but well done nevertheless. If you've got the patience you will enjoy.

The Hardy Boys (2020–2023)

So many errors, where to start?

[5/10 · 6 March 2021]

In episode one they drive briefly on the wrong side of the road. The actor for their father (a good actor, by the way) is listed in all 13 episodes, but he's not in the third one, so how many others?

I will not enumerate any more, just enjoy the plot, which is decent. I just wish it were better written.

The Blacklist (2013–2023)

Count is wrong

[8/10 · 27 February 2021]

They've got the count of episodes wrong. Megan Boone has been missing for several 8th season episodes. Is she pregnant. Why else is she missing?

They've been renewed for a 9th season. Will she return?

Later: Now I know - she does return but the plot got insanely complicated around the end of season 7. After the beginning of season 8, I don't follow anything that's happening anymore.

It has nothing to do with Liz. All the jerks here wanting to get rid of her from the show are insane - there's nothing wrong with her (or the actor). But the change in plot has made the story impossible to follow. Sadly.